Janelle Monae Reveals “The ArchAndroid” Album Cover

Robbie Daw | April 19, 2010 3:25 pm

Decisions, decisions. Between LCD Soundsystem’s This Is Happening and Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid (not to mention new LPs from Bo Bice, The Black Keys and Tracey Thorn), May 18 is shaping up to be a pretty cluttered release day for new music. And while we were recently dazzled by Monae’s trippy “Tightrope” video, now the official album cover art has been revealed on VIBE‘s site—and it proves to be just as outlandish. Have a peek at it after the jump.

Below is somewhat of a description of the art from VIBE for The ArchAndroid, which is essentially the second and third suites of Monae’s four-part Metropolis concept album:

“The ArchAndroid Crown: Designed by Zoman Ignatius, the half-elf, half-human mystic, reportedly 500 years ago. According to legend, the crown has several magic properties, as well as innovative technologies that can be employed only by The ArchAndroid. Zoman was a consummate inventor, artist and sculptor, a cross between Tesla and Da Vinci, and as such, he designed the crown to be a work of beauty that would embody the very spirit of Metropolis. According to legend, the crown features prominent Metropolis buildings and towers that will light up radiantly when the one and only true ArchAndroid wears the crown. According to the Daily Horos, this opulent headdress was stolen from the vaults in the Black House, reportedly by 1954, in October of 2715. Several members of 1954 were hunted down and executed for this crime. But the crown was never found. Many claim it has been secreted away to the Wonderground. There is also word that in the year 2010, several 1954 operatives have crafted a replica of this historic headdress to be worn by Janelle Monáe in anticipation for her album The ArchAndroid…no word on whether or not this replica has magic properties… The Living Cyktionary, 9th Edition, 2719”

Now, if anyone happens to travel into the future anytime soon and is able to snag us a copy of the 9th Edition of The Living Cyktionary, we’d be highly appreciative. Sounds like a stimulating read.