Janet Jackson- The Velvet Rope
Janet Jackson- The Velvet Rope
This album always will hold a special place in my heart and is one of my all time favorites. There aren’t many albums that I strongly believe everybody must listen to, but I think this is one of them. This is Jackson’s best album, and arguably one of the best R&B albums of all time. This album is sonically innovative and completely changed the R&B game, introducing a new style of alternative style that can still be heard today by many artists including Tinashe, SZA, and even Rihanna.
This entire album uses the metaphor of a Velvet Rope to explore vulnerability and the need to belong. The album opens with an interlude titled Twisted Elegance, where she states “It is my belief that we have the need to feel special, and its this need that can bring out the best in us, yet the worst in us. This need created the velvet rope.” This sets up the whole tone of the album, where she then elaborates on this theme with the introduction and title track, titled Velvet Rope. From here, she describes her mental health struggles with a track simply called “You” and relationship struggles with the song “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” which samples Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell. She then explores other layers of herself in different sections of the album, separated by interludes. With “My Need” and “Go Deep”, Jackson explores her sensual side. With the track “Free Xone”, she tackles homophobia and with “Together Again”, she grieves but also celebrates the life of her friend who died in the AIDS epidemic. She discusses the loneliness of online relationships with the song “Empty” and domestic abuse with the theatrical “What About”. She dives deeper into relationships with the tracks “Every Time”, “Tonight’s the Night”, and “I Get Lonely”, and her sexual desires with the tracks “Rope Burn” and “Anything”. From here, she looks deep into herself, admits her faults, and looks towards a more hopeful perspective in the concluding track titled “Special”. This song ends with a sudden stop in the music and Janet speaking the words “Work in Progress.”
This album explores such a wide variety of topics, but each song flows into itself beautifully. It’s cohesive but sonically innovative, and modern sounds can be traced back to this album. More importantly however, this album is an emotional journey and is a classic example of how to execute a stripped back personal album and has inspired generations of music fans. The Velvet Rope is a seamless blend of personality, creativity, introspection, and sensuality, making it one of the best albums of all time.
Rating: 10/10
Favorite Track: Velvet Rope
Skip(s): None. If I had to choose one, it’d be Tonight’s the Night simply because it’s a cover.
Similar Albums I’d recommend: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Butterfly by Mariah Carey.
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Hey I’m Laura Dia :)
I’m a contemporary/ Alternative R&B artist from the UK, with a Nigerian-Irish background. I write, produce and record all my own music.
You should follow me because I’m a vibe (once I’m comfortable) and love to have deep chats with ANYONE. Also my music is something different, it’s not like anything you’re hearing in the music scene rn. I want to bring the musical vibes of Beyoncé but with the poetic depth of Florence Welch. My music is for the feelers. People who want to feel everything all at once sadness, euphoria, anger, confidence. I wanna bring it all.
I’m making my music tumblr account new but I’ve been on tumble since I was like 13 😭 it’s always been a safe place for me to express myself, my poetry and my deepest thoughts without the fear of judgment. And I wanna do this now too; now I’ve evolved into an artist from the girl who just wrote her poetry in notes.
Hope I can find people to follow me on this journey :)
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[quinnpicks]: album of the month
𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕓𝕪 𝕌𝕄𝕀
relax to soft and sensual, yet charming and uplifting beats to soothe the day and empower you through the foggy haze of winter as they transport you into a sing songy dream
personal favorite tracks:
say i’m ur love
whatever u like
sorry
quinntessentially yours,
𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓷𝓷 𝓼𝓪𝔂𝓼
xo
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my favorite 2022 projects in no particular order, it's been a great year for music :)
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