The year is 2719 in the futuristic city of Metropolis, and “android No. 57821, other wise known as Cindy Mayweather,” is on the lam for falling in love with a human. Sci-fi is the theme behind Janelle Monae’s epic EP “Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition),” sounding as if it could be the score to a major Hollywood or Broadway blockbuster. 

The starlet whom Diddy said “is one of the most important signings of my career,” reached into her imagination to create a musically spellbinding odyssey complete with cyborgs, electro-daggers and other galactic references. “March of the Wolfmasters” sonically sets the tone for the mini-movie, bringing the characters to life and the audio-imagery into viewing mode. The rock-gospel production and power of Janelle Monae’s voice on “Violet Stars Happy Hunting!” is sure to ignite the inner funk in many earthlings. Lush with pounding drums, haunting organ notes, and ominous horns, the musicality of “Many Moons” and “Sincerely, Jane” hint at the Kansas native’s (how appropriate a hometown) performing arts and musical theatre background, as the latter song also reflects her socially conscious side. 

“Metropolis” isn’t the run-of-the-mill record you listen to—it’s the kind of record you experience. 

Label: Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy Records

Genre: R&B/Soul

After years of exciting the underground scene with their assortment of genre-blending sounds, J*Davey (which consists of singer Jack Davey [female] and producer Brook D’Leau [male]) has issued the debut of their double EP “The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost (if ten and thirteen songs respectively warrant the classification of an EP). 

Although signed to Warner Brothers Records, the release is a combination of two records the group previously sold independently during their pre-major label days, now being reissued on a national scale. Incorporating an amalgamation of genres, including: soul, hip-hop, funk, punk, rock, and electronic, J*Davey charms at making familiar territory sound refreshingly new. Opening “The Beauty in Distortion” are the distortedly sweet “Divisions of My Joy” and “Mr. Mister.” The sensuously funky nature of “Private Parts” produce thoughts of Prince, while Ms. Davey’s candy apple coos seduce the senses on “No More.” The ambient and lounge-like vibe of disc one dims in comparison to the grim and otherworldly production on “The Land of the Lost,” as heard on “Hi Sun,” “Rock the Dancehall,” and “Lil’Big Heads.” 

With a resemblance to the past, J*Davey is an artful expression of the future. 

Label: Interdependent Media 

Genre: R&B/Soul/Alternative