JANELLE MONAE

Janelle’s radical and game-changing agenda was obvious when she first emerged channeling James Brown, futuristic cyber robotics and perfectly honed, highly addictive funk. The Kansas dream girl’s third album – her first in four years – is bound to be a 2018 standout. Her rebellious and razortongued broadsides come complete with intoxicating sweeteners. Prince apparently assisted in some early song shaping and his legacy couldn’t be in better hands.