Artist of the Day: Janelle Monáe

It's no secret that R&B is having a fine time of things at present, nor indeed that it has been for some considerable time. One of this decade's biggest genre-based success stories, its resurgence has seen fresh, ambitious new takes on the style wow critics and unite fans, whilst simultaneously accounting for some of the best music in both mainstream and underground circles. Released back in 2010, Janelle Monáe's sprawling debut The ArchAndroid can perhaps be viewed among the trend's key documents, its ludicrous futuristic droid concept balanced by some of the most creatively vibrant pop and soul heard in many a year. Frequently touching brilliance, it's quality and scale rendered it a difficult act to follow, but with The Electric Lady the 27-year old has seemingly embraced that challenge and turned in a statement which if anything sounds even more definitive.

Artist of the Day: Janelle Monae

When Janelle Monae released her debut LP in 2010, she was already one of the most intriguing, ambitious artists of the new millennium. She was in the middle of a four-part concept album based on the silent era film Metropolis and, on the coattails of her album The Archandroid, announced her plans to release a graphic novel and a feature film based on her yet-to-be-completed series. A bit over the top? Most definitely, but out of her reach? It seems that the sky is the limit for Ms. Monae. Her EP Metropolis earned enough hype to get her signed by Diddy and lead single from The Archandroid featured Outkast's Big Boi. However, all of this success and hype leads back to just one person: Monae, who is one of the brightest spots in the R&B revival.

2012: A Look Ahead



Great Expectations... will 2012
be the year that The Gaslight

Anthem become huge?

Ah, finally it's 2012, and thank Christ - no more end of year lists!

Yes, the obligatory avalanche of retrospective madness has finally ran it's course, and at long last we can begin looking ahead at what the new year has to offer. And wouldn't you know it, even a cursory glance over the coming months reveals plenty that's worth getting excited about.

As well as the obvious big names and returning old favourites, there are also legions of newer acts hoping to make an impression with debut releases, while others who have already completed that opening hurdle will be looking to kick on and really establish themselves within the industry. So, with a run through the early year release schedule, as well as a few well educated pieces of guesswork, let's cast our minds ahead and behold what could well be another year of stellar musical achievement...