Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 110 Best Albums of the 2010s, representing a varied cross-section of artists, genres, and styles. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & album index here.

Janelle Monáe | The Electric Lady
Wondaland/Bad Boy/Atlantic (2013)
Selected by Kenneth Hicks

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Janelle Monáe is one of the most versatile artists in music and her range is on full display on The Electric Lady. She bends genres to her whim, easily adapting her vocals to each backdrop. At times, her singing calls back memories of legends such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. But on songs like "We Were Rock & Roll," she delivers performances that her peers can't duplicate. Her music somehow sounds both classic and futuristic, delivering a sense of time travel that befits the album's theme.

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