Janelle Monáe shares ‘alternate version’ of America on ‘Dance Apocalyptic’
The Electric Lady arrives in stores on Sept. 10 courtesy of Atlantic Records
- Janelle Monae
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Janelle Monáe seems to be headed in a new direction as her forthcoming record, The Electric Lady, approaches its release date.
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She had already cast away her signature tuxedo and is now letting her hair down - a stark contrast from her outward presentation over the past several years. Monáe’s latest stylings can be seen in the video for her catchy straightforward pop number “Dance Apocalyptic.” It follows the new album’s lead single, “Q.U.E.E.N.,” that first dropped back in April.
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The “Dance Apocalyptic” music video, which premiered on Pitchfork earlier this week, excerpts from another related short film, titled The Dance Apocalyptic, that takes place in an “alternate version of present-day America.” Directed by Wendy Morgan, her video comes with the following description:
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In this alternate universe, citizens wear Heart-Hats - birdcages on their heads, complete with colorful chirping birds.
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This treasured custom of wearing Heart-Hats has lasted for centuries...
But as of late, the music of the electric lady Janelle Monáe has many fandroids questioning tradition, tossing their destroyed Heart-Hats into the streets, fighting conventional social norms and breaking out by any means necessary...
To make matters even more interesting... in the area of South Sweet Falls, in the home of the perfect housewife Lisa Cage, it seems the apocalypse is finally at hand...
Her son refuses to eat his peas.
Her daughter refuses to wear her Heart-Hat.
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And is that a zombie on the front yard?
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Wondaland Arts Society’s Chuck Lightning has written an accompanying full-length story that can be found here. But without further ado, we’ll leave you now with Monáe’s latest creation.
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The Electric Lady arrives in stores on Sept. 10 courtesy of Atlantic Records