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The Age of Pleasure

Janelle Monáe

The Age of Pleasure

Fourth album of funk, R&B and pop soul from the Atlanta artist and actress includes contributions from Amaarae, Ckay, Doechii, Grace Jones, Nia Long, and Sister Nancy

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Atlantic
UK Release date
09/06/2023
US Release date
09/06/2023
  1. 10.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Even a list of swimming strokes is so charged it'll make steam come out of your ears
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  2. 9.0 |   Albumism

    One can only hope a deluxe edition extends this bacchanalian delight to satisfy those who like a longer session. Perhaps Monáe intentionally chose to stop short because they like watching partners beg for more. It’s a tease, but I might just be into it
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  3. 8.0 |   All Music

    It's no coincidence that Monáe chose Pride Month and Black Music Month - ten days before Juneteenth, to be precise - to release a multicultural album of unrepressed spirit built for playing in the sunshine
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  4. 8.0 |   The Observer

    The feted singer and actor takes a break from dystopian allegories in favour of wild, smouldering fun
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  5. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    The album is a full statement and requires a time commitment to appreciate it. The people who are willing to give themselves (and their precious time) over to Chris’ beatification are the only ones who will begin to understand its divine mysteries. And then they’ll hit play on it again
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  6. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    A deeply sensual listening experience
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  7. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Like the Kama Sutra set to music
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  8. 8.0 |   The Independent

    For her fourth album, Monáe trades sci-fi mythologising for carnally-minded joy
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  9. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    The sound of a hot and heavy summer
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  10. 8.0 |   NME

    With their fourth studio album, the superstar takes us along on a vibrant pleasure trip
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  11. 7.8 |   Beats Per Minute

    This is another major change in their musical output, but it’s clear that Monáe is more interested in having a good time, rather than a long time, and this album finishes right when it needs to
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  12. 7.6 |   Pitchfork

    Janelle Monáe’s fourth album exchanges science fiction for lusty romance, creating a rapturous Afrofuturistic sound collage for sunny days and sticky nights
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  13. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Fourth album from R&B polymath finds her in insatiable and unconquerable mood as she engages in an all-out celebration of hedonism, sexuality and herself
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  14. 7.0 |   Slant Magazine

    A refreshing assuredness permeates the entirety of the singer’s fourth album
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  15. 6.9 |   Spectrum Culture

    True to the album’s title, this one revels in being a departure from the cerebral, a refuge in the joys of the flesh or even just an ode to how unspeakably hot women are
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  16. 6.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    The Age of Pleasure is Janelle Monáe’s first album that doesn’t feel vital or year-defining
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  17. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Putting aside the high-concept Afrofuturism of earlier albums, the R&B shapeshifter blends Afrobeat, reggae and laidback soul into a hazily intoxicating cocktail of sex and partying
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  18. 5.0 |   Clash

    Though its execution might not always work as intended, it’s undoubtedly a celebration of Monae’s sexuality, liberation and diversity of artistic prowess
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  19. 4.0 |   The FT

    Songs are upbeat and sunny, but come off as sketches compared to the singer’s previous work
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