The Age of Pleasure

The Age of Pleasure
Janelle Monáe swimming topless in a pool between a group of men's legs. Her nipples are pixelated in the photo.
Studio album by
Janelle Monáe
ReleasedJune 9, 2023 (2023-06-09)
Genre
Length31:59
Label
Producer
Janelle Monáe chronology
Dirty Computer
(2018) 		The Age of Pleasure
(2023)
Singles from The Age of Pleasure
  1. "Float"
    Released: February 16, 2023[2]
  2. "Lipstick Lover"
    Released: May 11, 2023[3]
  3. "Water Slide"
    Released: July 7, 2023[4]

The Age of Pleasure is the fourth studio album by American musician Janelle Monáe. It was released on June 9, 2023, through Atlantic Records, being the singer's first studio album in over five years, since Dirty Computer (2018), This also marks the singer's longest gap between studio albums up to that point to date. The album was preceded by two singles: "Float" featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 in February 2023 and "Lipstick Lover" in May.[3] The album was announced alongside the issue of the second single, which Monáe first previewed at their Met Gala after-party.[5]

Upon release, The Age of Pleasure received positive reviews from critics, who praised its joyful mood and Afrobeat and reggae inspired sounds, though it was criticized by some as inferior to Monáe's previous records. It debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 while charting modestly in several other countries. The month following, the single "Water Slide" was released. In support of the album, Monáe embarked on the Age of Pleasure Tour, beginning in August 2023.[6]

At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, the album received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Progressive R&B Album.

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Guardian was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Strauss, Matthew (February 16, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Returns With New Song "Float": Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Garcia, Thania (May 11, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Ushers in The Age of Pleasure With New Single 'Lipstick Lover'". Variety. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. ^ https://twitter.com/JanelleMonae/status/1676759911768944640
  5. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (May 11, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Announces New Album, Celebrates With a Song for their 'Lipstick Lover'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  6. ^ Blistein, Jon. "Janelle Monáe to Bring the Joy on 'Age of Pleasure' Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 28, 2023.