Album of the Summer: 2010 The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe

This is the first R&B Album of the Summer, but as soon as you call ARCHANDROID R&B—or anything else—you risk misclassifying it. Yes, the single, “Tightrope,” is an upbeat funky number that consciously echoes James Brown—grunts and all—but the album includes dance tunes, romantic pop ballads, orchestral rock, dreamy techno numbers, and a traditional British folk song. There is something for everyone: 18 tracks and 70 minutes of music.

THE ARCHANDROID is a futuristic concept album presenting the middle two “suites”—each introduced with an overture—of a four-part work drawing inspiration from Fritz Lang’s 1927 science fiction film Metropolis and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, among other sources. The album is exceptionally ambitious and is successful at fulfilling almost all its ambitions.

This is Janelle Monáe’s first full-length effort, and although she is still relatively new on the scene, she has been energetically hyped with appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and American Idol. She received a 2009 Grammy nomination in the category of Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “Many Moons,“ a song from her earlier extended play release METROPOLIS. THE ARCHANDROID was produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs and includes appearances by Outcast’s Big Boi, among others. Monáe is a singer, songwriter, and dancer, and her stage performances owe much to Michael Jackson. She moonwalks. The album easily fits criterion #2 (happy). You often feel like dancing because several of the songs are, in fact, dance numbers.

In addition to “Tightrope,” my favorites are the Michael Jackson-like “Locked Inside,” the driving “Cold War,” “Come Alive,” which has been compared to both “Thriller” and “The Monster Mash,” the light robot ditty “Wondaland,” and the beautiful love song “Say You’ll Go,” whose bell-like piano ending includes a bit of Claude Debussy’s “Clair du Lune.” This album takes some time to absorb, but it does not disappoint. Janelle Monáe is a bright and powerful force.

This spectacular live performance of the classic "Smile" is not from THE ARCHANDROID. The song appeared on Monáe's earlier extended play, METROPOLIS , the first suite of her concept piece:

Janelle Monae Performing Smile June 2, 2010 at Chicago Theater from So Snewty on Vimeo.

2010 Album of the Summer Honorable Mentions

B.o.B PRESENTS: THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY by B.o.B.

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY may have been the Album of the Summer for many people. The hit song “Airplanes” has been all over the radio, and this debut album entered the Billboard 200 chart at #1. But “Airplanes” is just the beginning. There are lots of great songs here, including the dreamy “Don’t Let Me Fall“ and ”Ghost in the Machine” and the upbeat pop numbers “Nothing On You,” which features the sweet crooning of Bruno Mars, and “Magic.” The album certainly satisfies the happy criterion for Album of the Summer and came very close being chosen.

Here is the official video for "Airplanes" featuring Hayley Williams:

This is the somewhat goofy official video for "Nothin' On You." It's all about Bruno Mars:

LIGHT by MATISYAHU

The third studio album from this young chassid reggae performer is more pop than previous Matisyahu offerings and is wonderfully upbeat and idealistic. The fast-pace opening song “Smash Lies” is great, and the single “One Day,” with its message of peace is quite infectious. “I Will Be Light” is a similarly bright and spiritual anthem. Although the album was released last summer, the single “One Day” has gotten play throughout the year. I last heard it during the awards ceremony following the final match of the World Cup. Thanks to Ursula Bailey, who gave me my first copy of a Matisyahu album, and Eli Blinderman for alerting me to “One Day” and LIGHT.

Here is the official video for "One Day":