With The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe—the world’s favorite ArchAndroid—has ditched their spaceship in favor of a Caribbean beachfront cabana. Monáe steps off strong with the spoken word/rap “Float,” reestablishing themselves as an artist and a stronger, more confident individual. “Only Have Eyes 42” delivers easy reggae tinged with cinematic charm, while “Lipstick Lover” is a cheeky romp that leaves a palpable, cherry-gloss impression. Chock full of breezy, sunset-tinged tunes, this is a film as much as it’s an album, waxing into the night with the gentle wave ripples of “The Rush” and “A Dry Red”—you can almost see the lovers scatter as the last candle wanes.
