Janelle Monáe - Without A Fight / The Shape Of Things To Come (Videos)

One of my favourite artists of 2010, the completely fantastic Janelle Monáe has put out two brand new songs this week. Proving that The ArchAndroid album (reviewed here by me) was just the beginning of what this multi-talented girl has to offer. This new material might not be a great departure from that album, but hey, why fix what ain't broke?

Without A Fight (From 'For Colored Girls' OST)

Without A Fight is being used for the film soundtrack of For Coloured Girls, where it sits alongside tracks from soul legends like Gladys Knight and Nina Simone. Monáe is a natural heir to these pioneers, and it's great to hear them next to each other. The track could easily have been an off-cut from The ArchAndroid, a jazzy uptempo romp through three-and-a-half minutes of unrelentingly positive self-help mantras, it's pure Monáe.



The Shape Of Things To Come (For 'Shape What's To Come')

Recorded for the Shape What's To Come online community, and released for free on their website (grab it here now), The Shape Of Things To Come is another track all about empowering young women. A version of Max Frost & The Troopers' much covered 1968 track which weighs in at just 1 minute 49 seconds, it's a perfect showcase for Monáe's beautiful soul voice.



Buy Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid from iTunes now