Janelle Monáe has the digital streets ablaze with the release of "Lipstick Lover", the lead single from her upcoming album "Age of Pleasure". The backing track is chill, the lyrics are catchy, but what really has people in a frenzy is the NSFW music video co directed by Alan Ferguson. You're either super excited because it's unapologetically queer or outraged at how its essentially softcore porn. Monáe made it clear on "Float" that she went through a journey of discovery and acceptance and her latest single is her showing us the result of it.
But much like Usher - Glu the song loses points because of the raunchiness. The hyper-sexualization that we see in Rap music has fully made its way into other forms of Black music and it’s a bit disheartening.
These lines are raunchy and extremely catchy which makes them the perfect vehicle to influence the children who will inevitably hear this on the radio. It is the same issue I had with "Glu" but much worse because this song is infinitely more catchy.
The "build up" elements of the track are so catchy but once again is that a good thing when the content is so suggestive? Further during the build she takes a line from Stevie Wonder when she belts out “‘cause for your love” which is sweet but is out of place in a song as raunchy as this.
Essentially the lipstick marks are a way of identifying who you've been making out with in a dark party. She's definitely going in a different direction than she did in "Dirty Computer" and previous albums.
I believe that there is a time and place for everything and at face value there is nothing wrong with the track or the visual. In fact, if it was behind a paywall like OnlyFans or on a XXX site it would be much more respectable.
In a recent interview, Janelle Monáe states “As we enter into The Age Of Pleasure , ‘Lipstick Lover' is our freeassmothafucka anthem inspired by f.a.m. for f.a.m.” and in the album's press release says "This is our oasis made with love, rooted in self-acceptance, throbbing in self-discovery, and signed with cherry red kisses from me to you." She also stated in a Zane Lowe interview “All the songs were written from such an honest space.” So was Janelle Monáe fronting on the first album? Who knows!
In the end, what's most disheartening about the entire ordeal is that Janelle Monáe is extremely talented but is resorting to sexuality and borderline perversion for success. For far too long we have blamed the artists for this type of raunchiness but the fault truly lies in the record labels like Atlantic Records and Wondaland Arts Society who produce, create, and market this type of music to the masses. We hope that Janelle Monáe does not rely too heavily on sexual promiscuity for her new album "The Age of Pleasure". We'll part with Janelle's own words:
Intro
The track starts off with a very aquatic vibe with the title being said seemingly underwater. Listening to it instantly teleports me to a tropical island on the beach and I think it's due to the Reggae influence all over the track.Verse
The Verses are extremely catch and Janelle’s cadence and voice sound amazing over the Reggae-influenced composition. She often adds a slight Jamaican tinge to her voice that gives the verses an extra bit of flair that takes them to new heights of greatness.But much like Usher - Glu the song loses points because of the raunchiness. The hyper-sexualization that we see in Rap music has fully made its way into other forms of Black music and it’s a bit disheartening.
These lines are raunchy and extremely catchy which makes them the perfect vehicle to influence the children who will inevitably hear this on the radio. It is the same issue I had with "Glu" but much worse because this song is infinitely more catchy.
Build Up
The "build up" elements of the track are so catchy but once again is that a good thing when the content is so suggestive? Further during the build she takes a line from Stevie Wonder when she belts out “‘cause for your love” which is sweet but is out of place in a song as raunchy as this.
Hook
The Hook is catchy and much more subtle than the Verses. It's brief but it works because of the significant amount of build up between the Verses and the Hook. It is like the cherry on the top of a Shirley Temple, not much but it's everything at the same time. Monáe explains the hook here:Essentially the lipstick marks are a way of identifying who you've been making out with in a dark party. She's definitely going in a different direction than she did in "Dirty Computer" and previous albums.
NSFW Music Video
The Lipstick Lover video is essentially a softcore porn video available on all major platforms. There's partial nudity, kissing, and a bunch of suggestive content which has led to the vitality of the video and track. The visual ends with Janelle Monáe on a bed seemingly "in pleasure" and surrounded by sex toys. It begs the question where does sexual liberation end and perversion begin?I believe that there is a time and place for everything and at face value there is nothing wrong with the track or the visual. In fact, if it was behind a paywall like OnlyFans or on a XXX site it would be much more respectable.
Parting Thoughts (From a 37 Year Old Prude)
The track is very catchy and musically sound but from a larger cultural perspective highlights USA's cultural degradation. "Lipstick Lover" is music by adults, for adults but in today's society will be played on mass market platforms as if it's "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood".In a recent interview, Janelle Monáe states “As we enter into The Age Of Pleasure , ‘Lipstick Lover' is our freeassmothafucka anthem inspired by f.a.m. for f.a.m.” and in the album's press release says "This is our oasis made with love, rooted in self-acceptance, throbbing in self-discovery, and signed with cherry red kisses from me to you." She also stated in a Zane Lowe interview “All the songs were written from such an honest space.” So was Janelle Monáe fronting on the first album? Who knows!
In the end, what's most disheartening about the entire ordeal is that Janelle Monáe is extremely talented but is resorting to sexuality and borderline perversion for success. For far too long we have blamed the artists for this type of raunchiness but the fault truly lies in the record labels like Atlantic Records and Wondaland Arts Society who produce, create, and market this type of music to the masses. We hope that Janelle Monáe does not rely too heavily on sexual promiscuity for her new album "The Age of Pleasure". We'll part with Janelle's own words:
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