User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Dirty Computer
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Dirty Computer Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 679 Ratings

  • Summary: The third LP (and first in five years) from the actress and recording artist features appearances by Brian Wilson, Pharrell Williams, Zoë Kravitz, and Grimes, plus musical contributions from Prince just prior to his death.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Django Jane
This is my palace, champagne in my chalice I got it all covered like a wedding band Wonderland, so my alias is Alice We gon' start a motherfuckin'... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Pretty Much Amazing
    May 11, 2018
    100
    Though it dissects insecurities and shortcomings as much as it does success, Dirty Computer unabashedly refuses to downplay or apologize for its behavior. ... With this forthright attitude comes fresh ways for Monáe to play on subject matters.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 27, 2018
    100
    This record isn’t a monument to His Royal Badness. It’s one of the greatest artists of our time carrying Prince’s baton into the new world.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    May 1, 2018
    91
    As a whole, Dirty Computer strikes the perfect balance between joy and sadness, offering a deeply resonant account of Monáe’s personal experiences as a black woman. Some of these experiences are unquestionably difficult. Yet in relaying them to us, Monáe never deprives herself (or the listener) of pride, joy, or autonomy.
  4. Under The Radar
    May 7, 2018
    85
    On Dirty Computer, she finally makes good on her promise, keeping the fearlessness of her earlier albums while refining her focus. This album is only 48 minutes long, but it feels as ambitious and grand as her previous 70-minute releases. In the process, she has raised the standard for her music.
  5. No Ripcord
    Apr 29, 2018
    80
    It's the full-on pop record that Monáe had been hinting at for years, and though some of her stylistic choices may not age well--especially when she veers into trap territory - she approaches them with a kind of flighty confidence.
  6. Pitchfork
    May 1, 2018
    77
    Monáe has given us a pop record that feels gleefully youthful, perhaps even the album she wishes she could have had as a teen in Kansas City. The songwriting is precise if not always flawless.
  7. The Guardian
    Apr 27, 2018
    60
    You occasionally wonder if an understandable desire to cross over commercially might not be at the root of the album’s less inspired moments: there’s something commonplace and risk-averse about the pop-R&B backing of Crazy, Classic, Life and I Got the Juice.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 116
  3. Negative: 5 out of 116
  1. dirtycomputer
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Pure excellent artistry is simply at work in this album. She touches on raw, unabashed identity and what it means to be a proud black,Pure excellent artistry is simply at work in this album. She touches on raw, unabashed identity and what it means to be a proud black, non-gender conforming individual in America given the sociopolitical context of our current modern society. She also utilizes exemplary elements from familiar artists in her work such as Prince and Grimes while also introducing new players into her discography such as the promising Zoë Kravitz and Brian Wilson from the iconic Beach Boys. Furthermore, the album is accompanied by an awe-inspiring 'emotion picture' that only attests to her sheer vision and creative innovation as an artist who is willing to cross traditional genres and boundaries in music and film. Indeed, Dirty Computer will truly withstand as one of her most ambitious projects of all time.… Expand
  2. no1angel
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    simplesmente INCRÍVEL como qualquer coisa que Janelle se dispõe a fazer. o filme também é MUITO BOM!!!! essa mulher não consegue errar emsimplesmente INCRÍVEL como qualquer coisa que Janelle se dispõe a fazer. o filme também é MUITO BOM!!!! essa mulher não consegue errar em definitivamente nada. perfeita.… Expand
  4. victorialiewind
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Janelle brings something new not just to her discography, but to all music. And she still develops her abilities. We stun!
  5. maxxing
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Janelle has a beautiful voice and she shares more and more of her psyche and personality on each album. This release is a breathe of freshJanelle has a beautiful voice and she shares more and more of her psyche and personality on each album. This release is a breathe of fresh air, maybe a few moments feel too poppy for my tastes like Zoe Kravitz's vocals on 'Screwed', but then again that song has many brilliant song elements like the vocoder effect over Janelle's rapping or the layers of guitar loops. Another sonic journey is Americans, with a hook so catchy I can't get it out of my head.… Expand
  6. Nazario08
    Jun 29, 2018
    9
    O álbum possui letras fortes, que usam e abusam da ironia para construir uma narrativa, ao mesmo que triste, muito intensa e divertida de serO álbum possui letras fortes, que usam e abusam da ironia para construir uma narrativa, ao mesmo que triste, muito intensa e divertida de ser acompanhada. Músicas incríveis e instrumentais inesquecíveis. Dirty Computer tem um clima tão único que se torna quase que um clássico do R&B.

    É realmente importante e admirável ter uma mulher negra no topo, fazendo sucesso até mesmo fora do cenário musical. Muito bom saber que enquanto temos IZA fazendo sucesso com seu debut, os americanos tem Janelle para lhes dar um pouco de alegria com suas músicas.    … Expand
  7. Wael
    May 2, 2018
    8
    Energetic, sexy, politically-charged, dancy, and beautifully-delivered, "Dirty Computer" is more of a strong statement about femininity, sex,Energetic, sexy, politically-charged, dancy, and beautifully-delivered, "Dirty Computer" is more of a strong statement about femininity, sex, race, and womanhood than just another pop-infused R&B record. Absolute highlights are "Django Jane", which finds Monae spitting truthful bars and rapping about what it feels like to be a black woman in our world today, "Make Me Feel", a Prince-inspired track that'll get you on your feet the second its chorus takes, "PYNK", a smartly-written collaboration with Canadian artist Grimes, and, among many others, "I Like That", which sounds like it's coming straight from Janelle's diary. The most enjoyable aspect of the record is when Janelle drops the singing, and starts rapping, like on the outro of "Crazy, Classic, Life" for example. The whole record is just very cohesive and very well thought-out. Ending the whole project with the line: "Please sign your name on the dotted line" on closer "Americans", Janelle Monae assures us, that indeed, this solid musical collection is more of a statement or a contract.… Expand
  8. Alex_Nevermind
    May 28, 2018
    0
    I like Janelle Monae, but her recordings leave a lot to be desired TO ME. I was not impressed with "Dirty Computer". I didn't like itI like Janelle Monae, but her recordings leave a lot to be desired TO ME. I was not impressed with "Dirty Computer". I didn't like it sonically or lyrically.… Expand

See all 116 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2018, Games, TV, Movies, Music

    Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2018

    Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2018 Image
    Published: January 7, 2019
    See which movies, albums, games, and TV shows ranked among our users' favorites in 2018.
    More »
  2. Best of 2018, Music

    The Best Albums of 2018

    The Best Albums of 2018 Image
    Published: December 22, 2018
    We reveal the 40 highest-scoring album releases of the year, as well as some of 2018's bests and worsts in other music categories.
    More »
  3. Best of 2018, Music

    Best of 2018: Music Critic Top Ten Lists

    Best of 2018: Music Critic Top Ten Lists Image
    Published: November 26, 2018
    Over the next month, we'll be collecting year-end top 10 album lists from over 200 music critics, publications, record stores, and other sources. Find all of the individual lists and 2018's consensus rankings inside.
    More »
  4. Best of 2018, Music

    The 25 Best Albums of 2018 So Far

    The 25 Best Albums of 2018 So Far Image
    Published: July 3, 2018
    We rank the 25 highest-scoring albums released during the first half of 2018.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2018
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2018
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2018

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »