On Air Now: Wolverhampton Sport

Listen Live

Re-issue: Janelle Monáe - So Afraid

Song Exploder

Wednesday, 30 August 2023 - 20 minutes

This summer, in June 2023, Janelle Monáe put out her fourth album, The Age of Pleasure. Listening to it made me want to revisit her Song Exploder episode, from 2018. One thing on Song Exploder that I personally love is when we get to hear an artist’s raw voice memo, from the moment when they’re first coming up with a song idea. This episode has one of my all-time favorites.

Janelle Monáe is an award-winning musician and actress who released her first record in 2007. She’s been nominated for multiple Grammys, and she starred in the Oscar films Moonlight and Hidden Figures. In April 2018, she released her third album, Dirty Computer, which includes this song, “So Afraid.” In this episode, Janelle Monáe takes “So Afraid” apart, to explain how she built it, step by step—beginning with a trip to the dentist.

For more, visit songexploder.net/janelle-monae.

Subscribe to this podcast

Share

Now and Next

  • Wolverhampton Sport

    6:00pm - 7:00pm

    Local sport news and chat with Jude Aston and Robbie Meakin

  • The RAW Radio Show with Tom and Chris

    7:00pm - 9:00pm

    An eclectic mix to broaden your musical horizons

  • Soundscape with Susan Vickers

    9:00pm - 10:00pm

    Exploring new and live music

  • Caroline Martin's Sanctuary

    10:00pm - Midnight

    WCR FM’s Late-Night Phone-In, where nothing is off limits