This summer, in June 2023, Janelle Monáe put out her fourth album, The Age of Pleasure. Listening to it made me want to revisit her Song Exploder episode, from 2018. One thing on Song Exploder that I personally love is when we get to hear an artist’s raw voice memo, from the moment when they’re first coming up with a song idea. This episode has one of my all-time favorites.
Janelle Monáe is an award-winning musician and actress who released her first record in 2007. She’s been nominated for multiple Grammys, and she starred in the Oscar films Moonlight and Hidden Figures. In April 2018, she released her third album, Dirty Computer, which includes this song, “So Afraid.” In this episode, Janelle Monáe takes “So Afraid” apart, to explain how she built it, step by step—beginning with a trip to the dentist.
For more, visit songexploder.net/janelle-monae.
Sarah Kinsley - The King
Brandi Carlile - You and Me On the Rock (feat. Lucius)
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
Joy Oladokun - Look Up
Danny Elfman - What’s This? (from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”)
Halsey - You Asked for This
Hans Zimmer - Dune
The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore (feat. Lucius)
Willow - Transparent Soul feat. Travis Barker
Hrishikesh Hirway TED Talk - What You Learn When You Listen Closely
John Lennon - God
Lucy Dacus - Thumbs
Mustafa - Air Forces
Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers
The Shins - New Slang
Cheap Trick - Surrender
Fousheé - Deep End
AURORA - Runaway
Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
Arlo Parks - Black Dog
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Stuff You Should Know
On Being with Krista Tippett
TED Radio Hour
Planet Money
The Dinner Party Download