On Replay: Janelle Monáe, The Age of Pleasure
Giving myself grace, and the opportunity to listen to the beat of my own drum. Time spent getting in-tune. I have been finding better ways… to navigate— especially when the only way out, is through. As my 27th birthday approaches, certain fruits of my labor ripen… And I feel more than ready to begin another metamorphosis. But accepting oneself, and living authentically is often easier said than done. Writing in this moment, I see the multitude of ways that bravery is tested. Their latest album, and Janelle Monáe’s interviews, where they dive [taking us] deeper into their own work [and current state of self?] have been magically relatable. I appreciate this documentation of another evolution, but vulnerability as well. Self-acceptance… and the grief that comes with it. We must take a look— and really think about the vitriol they’ve faced, when living in their truth. See the truth in the fact that Black femmes are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t. And so, honor yourself when you fight against all that deems your consent a threat.
In this concrete jungle, where it is hard to not misplace my anger… fear… frustration, disdain, disappointment… my grief. Or at the very least, meet the world with a reflection of its rage— I will never forget O’Shae Sibley, whose life was taken right here in Brooklyn on July 29th. He was 28 years old, just a year older than me… He was an amazing dancer, a light and protector in community and according to his loved ones, so much more…
Queerness is not a crime, nor is it punishable by death. There is opulence, there is wealth and abundance, richness, and beauty in our freedom. There is revolution brewing always in queer, Black culture and subcultures. We are reminded with every breath we take, and choice we make when we refuse to hide. When we choose joy, never without the risk of it all being stolen or snatched from under us. Revolutionary in all ways, wrongs will be righted when you martyr the magical.
Joyous moments, no matter how few and far between in a violent world— The Age of Pleasure is a rainbow-lighted beam cutting through that darkness. Monáe’s fourth studio album is the manifestation and declaration of many a feeling of freedom. Pleasure, autonomy, [choice!] sexual liberation, and the absolute wonders of Blackness, queerness; how the fluidity of these factors are affected when we escape the prisons of binary-thinking… Melodically and lyrically freeing, yet long awaited. Sonically, just as abundantly queer as its subject matter. And in that sense, similar to another recent release dedicated to Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities, that also serves as crucial background to O’Shae’s story… It’s all so relative that it often scares me.
As someone who has been in love with Janelle Monáe since they tipped on the tightrope, it’s taken me some time to articulate this feeling— of witnessing an evolution of this revolutionary, one-of-a-kind artist; while also discovering, and evolving as a revolutionary artist myself… I am warmed, and held by its [the album’s] reminder to honor fluidity. This is not the first time I’ve been inspired, and it undoubtedly will not be the last. Nothing could stop me from running the intro track, “Float” into the ground when it was released during Black History Month this year. Lines like “I'm countin' my blessings, we ain't stressin', just look at this glow//I got that magic, I'm really prepared for whatever, whenever//So who want the smoke?” That confidence and the assuredness that I aim to embody is present throughout. The self-awareness in “Haute,” of being not only this dope, multitalented individual, but a multifaceted, unique person, whose power and appeal cannot be defined or denied by anyone other than self. “The Rush,” and “Only Have Eyes 42” deserve their flowers as well!
Monáe’s gifts are seen, heard, and felt here. A gift, to many a queer folk like myself that long for relatability and fluid sex-appeal in [often] heteronormative R&B. Sultry, syrupy-sweet vocals cast spells over production that pulls from several genres. Impressive features, poetically expansive lyricism— we are on a journey here… To discover and understand what moves us in all the ways we must be moved, closer to self. Truly phenomenal.
