We can tell by the way tickets are selling (read: really fast) that you all are as excited about Janelle Monae performing live at the Homecoming Dance as we are. Or maybe you are just going because it is a dance, and don’t know anything about Janelle Monae. Well then…

We’ve been excited for Janelle Monae for weeks now for several reasons: her excellent stage presence, sweet dance moves, killer vocals. Because we look for artists that both communicate truth and are artistically excellent, SAB invited Janelle Monae because we believe she has skillfully incorporated thought provoking lyrics and concepts into her first major label debut, Metropolis. She challenges convention by introducing a socially conscious body of work disguised as a dancy cybertronic concept album. The idea of a concept album is lost on so many recent artists, and it is refreshing to see a new artist pull it off so well, especially with such a positive message.

Monday night at Popanonymous, we listened to Metropolis (26 minutes) in its entirety. This was a great exercise for those of us present. We recommend to anyone who hasn’t yet done this: listen to the songs with the words in front of you. Listen to them with your roommate.

Here’s a sample, from Sincerely, Jane:

“Teacher, teacher please reach those girls in them videos
The little girls just broken Queen, confusing bling for soul
Danger, there’s danger when you take off your clothes, all your dreams go down the drain girl

Are we really living or just walking dead now?
Or dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels
The way we live
The way we die
What a tragedy, I’m so terrified
Day dreamers please wake up, we can’t sleep no more”

Be sure to check out Janelle Monae’s short film “Many Moons” playing now on Messiah Channel 13 (sorry about the sound issues). Bonus points to anyone who can name the reference from the beginning of the song (the “Boo-do-do doo-do…” part). Let us know in the comments section if you can name that where that comes from.

For those that don’t know, Popanonymous is a weekly gathering of people who discuss all things pop culture. We meet every Monday night at 9pm at the Loft. This semester we’ll be talking about Mad Men, country music and politics, Stephen Colbert and Inglorious Basterds. Next week we’re talking about the band Passion Pit. Hope to see you at the Loft, Monday at 9pm.