In the days since Janelle Monáe released her new album/emotion picture Dirty Computer, I’ve become obsessed. I started listening to her music last year, but only recently decided to try and track down the “official” story of Cindi Mayweather, as told through Janelle’s cross-album, multi-suite epic. Various articles attempt to lay it out but invariably stall: “The video poses an interesting challenge for anyone trying to construct a linear narrative, in that it … cannot be reconciled with the ostensible plots of [preceding songs].”
At the YouTube launch of Dirty Computer, Janelle was asked what one word she wanted listeners to be left with after hearing the album. Her answer was, “I don’t know if I have that word. … I just want people to take it in how they take it in.” So perhaps that’s the answer to her first saga as well: there is no official story of Cindi Mayweather the Archandroid. Her story is yours to make, using the artistic cues gifted to us.
In the meantime, whether you’ve been rooting for Sir Greendown or the mysterious Mary, you’re sure to find a hero (and something to dance to) in Dirty Computer. And after you’ve watched it for yourself (to the end!), check out Tim Grierson’s Why Janelle Monae’s ‘Dirty Computer’ Film Is a Timely New Sci-Fi Masterpiece.