Janelle Monae walks a funky 'Tightrope' with Big Boi

What’s not to like about “Tightrope,” the brand-new single from Diddy/OutKast protegée Janelle Monae? It’s a wildly catchy future-funk workout, led by a jumpy walking bassline and featuring a characteristically suave guest verse from OutKast’s Big Boi. Monae has always had style and out-there ambition to spare, but “Tightrope” works better as an undeniable pop blast than anything I’ve heard from her to date. My only complaint is that it’s not a cover of Yeasayer’s tune of the same name — surely Monae could work wonders with that song, right? — but I suppose that’s really neither here nor there.

Head over to Janelle Monae’s official site for a free stream of her “Tightrope,” then let us know if this has you anticipating her full-length debut, May 18’s The ArchAndroid, as much as we are.

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Photo credit: Jiro Schneider