Well, quite frankly I feel flustered at the rapid release of new music, whether it is on a national or local level. Constantly on Paste Magazine or Pitchfork, they’re raving about the next big thing on tour, and the very next second, you never hear from them again. Yes, it is the tale-tale sign of the music industry, but how does one combat this flustered feeling? How does one truly keep track? I’m not implying that you have to keep track and like all of it, but at the very least, how do we know what will satisfy our tastes?
I guess what I’m getting at is with the large attribute of new music, it’s hard for me to consistently pick out the “next big thing” or to recognize what’s great in my eyes versus yours. However, over the past year, I’ve learned about this fabulous artist Janelle Monae.
If you haven’t heard of her yet, I’d like to describe Monae as, well, the female version of James Brown. She dresses like she’s straight out of the 50s doo-wop movement, and sings like a dream. While her album is a nice mash of what’s current and what I’d like to think is her musical influence. I was blown away at her song “Tightrope” featuring Big Boi; she simply commands respect through the sheer use of her voice. Don’t believe me, check out her video below:
I believe she will go far, and it’s not merely because the major magazines are stating it. She has an air to her that gives the sense of earlier musical influences, as well as pulling from the current. She has the goods that will make her a long lasting artist. I promise that.
