“Make Me Feel” is a steamy introduction to Dirty Computer.
Janelle Monaé has been gathering Prince comparisons for years, as a lazy shorthand for her own mind-bending, body-moving, futuristic music. But on “Make Me Feel,” there’s no question that she set out to create a homage to the Purple One. With a co-writing credit by Julia Michaels, the track is all heavy breathing, pulsing bass and high-pitched, slinky guitar. This funk song practically sweats with desire, hitting peaks of rapturous passion. As she sings herself, “It’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender/An emotional, sexual bender.” There may not be a hotter song you hear this year…or next year…or the year after that.
Dirty Computer drops on April 27.