Tuesday October 06

First Spin

Janelle Monáe Comes 'Alive'

huny  |  10/06/2009 at 3:30 PM  |  Comments (11)

 

janelle-monae.jpg

"Come Alive (War of the Roses)" is the newest single from music's most unique, pompadour-sporting cybergirl from outer space, Janelle Monáe, and when I say it goes hard it's an epic understatement. The track, recorded at Monáe's Wondaland recording studio for Kia's "The Soul Collective", is a dizzying, three-minute extravaganza. "Come Alive" is a White Stripes meets James Brown meets Janis Joplin meets Quentin Tarantino soundtrack rock-and-roll orgy; a well orchestrated temper tantrum over a menacing and snarky bassline. Monáe's voice is all haughty gasp, husky sass, and balls-out growls and wails. Around the 2:20 mark it hits a pitch and reverberation that can really only be described as reminiscent of the sickest Jimi Hendrix guitar lick. It's kind of incredible.

Janelle Monáe: "Come Alive (War of the Roses)"


This chick is a f*cking rock star. I dare you to listen to this track and not come alive (like a schizo running wild). Watch a video of Monáe at Wondaland recording "Come Alive" after the bounce.



Kia Motor's "The Soul Collecive" also includes graphic designer Jeff Staple, french filmmaking duo Jonas & Francois and Threadless.com co-owner Jeff Kalmikoff. Interesting mix of people. The ten-city tour promises to be a multimedia experience and will also include N.E.R.D and Clipse amongst others. Dope.

(Sidenote: With sponsorship deals from The Gap, Coca-Cola and Kia Motors along with inexplicably being signed to Bad Boy Records, is it safe to say that Monáe is the coolest sellout ever?*)

*I kid! She can do a commercial for pork rinds and I'd still be a stan.

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Comments


You can NOT tell me you listened to that song while standing/sitting still... i love this shit... Monae is really doing her thing... im ready for what ever is NEXT... like NOW

Sean Famoso   |   October 23, 2009 1:56 PM   |   Permalink

The masterful minds at Wondaland does it again....Awesome track. Love the sound,the energy, and especially the vocals. BTW...I do kinda hear some "Rock Lobster" in there, lmao.

Chris D.   |   October 22, 2009 9:12 PM   |   Permalink

This song is sooooooo AWESOME! Like JM is a beast, do you hear her vox???? Crazy...she is amazing. I can't wait for the new album!!

Elle   |   October 22, 2009 6:30 PM   |   Permalink

dang! janelle is turning into a beast! her energy is contagious.

lee   |   October 7, 2009 10:49 AM   |   Permalink

I just find her so affected and derivative.
*ducks tomatoes*

anon   |   October 6, 2009 10:43 PM   |   Permalink

I believe what I'm hearing overwhelmingly is a riff from the Violent Femmes' "Blister In The Sun." That song rocks, and this one is rocks just as hard.

Love it.

ill Mami   |   October 6, 2009 8:52 PM   |   Permalink

this girl is INCREDIBLE!!! that's what i'm talking about. Originality

err..uhh   |   October 6, 2009 5:19 PM   |   Permalink

Do a hear a little of B-52's "Rock Lobster" in there, coupled with some Stray Cats "Stray Cat Strut"? Just a smidge.

Soulrific   |   October 6, 2009 5:16 PM   |   Permalink

KissMyBlackAds wins.

Ro   |   October 6, 2009 5:06 PM   |   Permalink

I was just wishing recently that JM would come out with some new music. I love it!

Eby   |   October 6, 2009 4:11 PM   |   Permalink

she's like a super hero! able to leap genres in a single verse, faster than a morphing industry and stop a speeding p. diddy management deal from killing her soul.

KissMyBlackAds   |   October 6, 2009 3:51 PM   |   Permalink










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