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Cold War
R&B / Soul · 2010

Cold War

Janelle Monáe

A high-velocity collision of synth-pop and soul that captures the frantic energy of an internal struggle. Defiant, cinematic, and deeply human.

December 17, 2010 · Bad Boy Entertainment

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Cold War is a sonic panic attack transformed into a victory march. While the artist is often associated with the sprawling, theatrical funk of her larger concept pieces, this specific release strips away the artifice to reveal a raw, thumping heart. It sounds like the future as imagined in 1982, but with a vocal performance that is timelessly soulful. The track is built on a relentless, driving beat that never lets up, forcing the listener into a state of forward motion even as the lyrics grapple with the paralyzing fear of being 'the only one.'

Moments Worth Listening For
the moment the beat drops out for a split second before the final chorus explosion
the frantic, almost punk-rock energy of the bridge where the vocals reach a fever pitch
the sharp, staccato synth stabs that mimic a racing heartbeat throughout the track
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Cold War sound next to the rest of Janelle Monáe's catalogue?

Hi Fi+4.0σ

The production is built around hi fi than this artist usually allows.

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