The Purple One Lives

Known for his sexually and religiously controversial lyrical themes infusing rock, funk, and dance music, the Purple Oneócommonly known as Princeósimultaneously released two albums this month.
Prince is well known for his sixth studio album, ìPurple Rain,î which was followed up by a motion picture of the same name (album released on June 25th, 1984, movie released one month after).
Even though none of his other works were as commercially successful as both the album and the movie, Prince continued to make his mark in the music industry in the following years.
ìArt Official Ageî, released September 29th, marked Princeís return to Warner Bros. (ìfollowing the early ë90s spat that resulted in his writing ìslaveî on his face in protest to his contract,î according to Consequence of Sound). ìArt Official Ageî is Princeísóget thisó33rd studio album (at 56 years old!), which is a testament in itself, and shows its listeners that Prince can still be mainstream while maintaining his own persona and style.
The album explores Princeís personal life, especially with the track titled ìThe Breakdown,î which cuts close to home for both the singer and the listeners who have followed his career, and features a new era by looking back with a state of remorse thatís rare for the purple singer.
Other essential tracks include ìU Know,î óthe electro-funk, futuristic rhythm and blues track with Princeís smooth and sexy vocals during the verses and chorus. The track also features a sample from singer Mila Jís ìBlinded.î
ìThis Could Be Us,î inspired by the social media crazed #thiscouldbeusbutyouplayin meme, is a ìjoyful ballads with some ecstatic Prince vocalizing ì(according to reporter Jon Bream of the Minneapolisí Star Tribune.)
In addition to ìArt Official Ageî, Prince also released ìPlectrumelectrum,î stylized as ìPLECTRUMELECTRUM.î
This collaboration album was also released on September 29th, and it features 3rdEyedGirl, Princeís all girl band.
3rdEyedGirl is the rock-tastic trio featuring guitarist Donna Grantis, bassist Ida Nielsen, and drummer Hannah Ford.
In an interview with Good Morning America, the girl power trio were definitely excited about the two albums being released.
ìItís been a beautiful journey,î says bassist Ida Nielsen.
ìWe are learning so much, we all love each other and weíre so proud to be able to release this album with him.î
According to The Telegraph, ìIf Art Official Age is a juicy reaffirmation of Princeís pop basics, Plectrumelectrum, his collaborative album with 3rdEyedGirl, represents a more intriguing departure, making a bold connection with a time where Jimi Hendrix was the last great black American rock star.î
There are really no other words for this electric album, other than that it is just plain fun. ìPLECTRUMELECTRUMî is definitely one of those trash-your-hotel-room-and-wake-up-remembering-nothing albums, while ìArt Official Ageî mirrors it completely.
All in all, listeners would say that even though these albums are no ìPurple Rain,î it definitely is up on the ranks for being a great albumóespecially given this new age era.