Avg Rating: 
3.7 ( 20 total votes )
Janelle Monáe - Cold War
Artist: Janelle Monáe
Producer: Nate “Rocket” Wonder, Chuck Lightning, & Janelle Monáe
Album: The ArchAndroid
Label: Wondaland/Bad Boy
Just as I predicted, the last track from five-foot musical dynamo Janelle Monae, the Big Boi-assisted Tight Rope, garnered mixed reviews from the Booth, with some feeling like her always eclectic style was just too left field, and others absolutely eating up the creative energy she served up. Well, don’t expect anything to change on her latest cut Cold War. Produced again by Nate “Rocket” Wonder, Chuck Lightning and Monae herself, Cold War mixes together an upbeat retro percussion line and layers in some spacey synths, crunching guitar and, of course, Monae’s powerhouse vocals, which take a slightly darker turn here than we’re used to. Add in an extended breakdown on the tail end and Cold War becomes the kind of track you have to listen to a few times to appreciate. Or maybe once is enough for some of you. We’ll find out soon. Love it or hate it, I guarantee you won’t be bored by Monae’s upcoming album The ArchAndroid, due to explode expectations on May 18.
Listen to More: Janelle Monáe , Alternative Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11866 |
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Addictive and oozes Big Boi's influence. They need to play this on the radio... right now. Huge huge fan.
And yes, I know this isn't for everyone (considering this is barely "urban"). 
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 272 |
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she is so weird and that's why i love her music...cause she like crazy weird i know what that means me, and that can mean whatever to you this shit is crazy, beautiful sound the beat fit the track but i do believe she can do better than this and nobody sounds like her.
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 639 |
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This beat has Outkast written all over it!! Being an Outkast fan i'm totally diggin the beat!! Huge voice for such a petite girl!! Props to Janelle she really doing her thang!!
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1345 |
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Eh, its not my cup of tea.
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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All artists should aspire to make "GOOD" music like this. [Plays Again]
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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Holy sh*t. Did DJKidd just give a completely positive review to a track? Is that a first? It should be - as he pointed out Monae is just on another level creatively (much like, yes, Outkast). If you ever get the chance to see her live, do it. Just do it.
Between this and Tight Rope, I couldn't be more stoked for the release of the album.
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 452 |
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Its different, just not good.
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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I am just not into her...that's all...3 1/2
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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The cut goes hard and has typical trademark Janelle rhythms and vocals, with a rock edge to it, but I’m actually not so sold on this track. Maybe this is a track I’ll have to be in a certain mood to listen to.
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 42 |
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This is cool!
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew |
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PERFECT mixture here. Has Janelle's trademark eclectic, like-no-other-R&B-artist style, but still the stuff that can go Top 10.
I think it's effect will be like B.o.B.'s "Nothin' On You"-it'll be just the single the label's been waiting for to get this talented, creative artist from the A-Town much deserved-shine. Side note: I'm hoping to snag a job as a local baseball team's DJ. Better believe this will be in the regular warmup rotation should I get that job. |
| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 57 |
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I really appreciate how original she is and how much we really need that these days but i just aint feeling it too much but will definitely put it in rotation and see how things go
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 432 |
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Janelle somehow manages to sound cool over such riotous and chaotic production and make the overall sound into something smooth, soulful and powerful. I love when they break into the guitar riff at 2:00
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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her style is crazy
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 109 |
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She is not afraid 2 be different. Yet, she doesn't have to try. She is gifted and amazing. This is a jam. She always have great messages.
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| Posted on Feb 17, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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nice!!!!
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| Posted on Feb 17, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1306 |
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I agree with "dillion_68"
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| Posted on Feb 17, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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Id be looking out for her on future tracks, just not a fan of this one.
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| Posted on Feb 25, 2010 |
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| Posted on Aug 27, 2010 |
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| Posted on Dec 23, 2012 |
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