Janelle Monáe – The Age Of Pleasure

Singer-actress Janelle Monáe ushers in The Age of Pleasure

Her first full-length effort in five years, the follow-up to 2018's Dirty Computer

Janelle Monáe's 2023 release The Age of Pleasure is her first full-length effort in five years, and the follow-up to 2018's Dirty Computer.

Leading off is a new single "Lipstick Lover," and its matching music video, where the singer-songwriter and an entourage of women soak by a pool in bikinis and t-shirts emblazoned with the song's title and the word "Pleasure" — co-directed by Monáe and Alan Ferguson.

"As we enter into The Age Of Pleasure, ‘Lipstick Lover' is our freeassmothafucka anthem inspired by f.a.m. for f.a.m.," Monáe wrote in the album's press release. "This is our oasis made with love, rooted in self acceptance, throbbing in self discovery, and signed with cherry red kisses from me to you."

"Lipstick Lover" follows the new LP's first single "Float," a February release that was backed by months of anticipation since the track originally appeared in promos for ABC/ESPN's NBA Saturday Primetime campaign, with Monáe also narrating the ads. The song features Seun Kuti and Egypt 80.

She also previewed "Lipstick Lover" at a Met Gala after-party, a practice Monaé grew fond of employing when it came to preparing "The Age of Pleasure" for its official release. Monáe spoke with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 about how she tested different songs on the album by watching how people at parties would react to the music.

Outside of releasing a few one-off singles, Monaé shifted her actress focus to the big screen for the last few years. She had a starring role in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" as well as previous roles in "Harriet," "Antebellum," and more.