The buzz machine has been running full steam for Janelle Monae.
The pop singer, who plays the Showbox SoDo at 8 p.m. Wednesday, released her new album, “The Electric Lady,” amidst a mountain of hype in September.
All the attention — from rock stars like Prince, trend-setting websites like Pitchfork.com, and institutions like Time Magazine — helped push the album to No. 5 on the charts.
Like her earlier work, the new collection melded Monae’s love for futuristic-sounding R&B with pop rock. Songs such as “Dance Apocalyptic” channeled the Jackson 5, while the strutting lead single “QUEEN” featured a guest spot by Erykah Badu.
Tickets are $25.50 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Sarah Brightman also is heading back to Seattle, set to appear at the Paramount Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The Broadway icon — she starred in “The Phantom of the Opera” — has also enjoyed success as a recording artist, putting out a string of successful albums that balance original songs with covers.
Her most recent outing, “Dreamchaser,” saw release earlier this year and featured her take on a diverse list of artists, including Paul McCartney, the Cocteau Twins and Sia.
Tickets are $50.75 to $251.25 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
J. Cole will also hit the Paramount, playing the venue at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The rapper — the first artist signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation label — hit the big time in 2011, when his debut album hit the top of the Billboard 200.
That album showcased Cole’s gritty and confessional take on hip hop, as did his follow-up album, “Born Sinner,” which bowed at No. 1 in June.
Tickets are $39.50 to $202.75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Okkervil River is headed back to Seattle for a headlining gig at the Showbox at the Market at 9 Friday night.
The group, headlined by singer-songwriter Will Sheff, has made its name by rocking through its angsty indie folk songs. Its been on a hot streak since 2005’s “Black Sheep Boy” pushed the group onto the national radar.
The band is touring now behind “The Silver Gymnasium,” which was greeted with another round of warm reviews in September.
Tickets are $22 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
The Showbox SoDo, meanwhile, will host a Halloween night appearance by rapper Hoodie Allen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Hoodie made his name first as an Internet sensation, then as a genuine threat on the charts. The Long Island rapper first cracked into the mainstream with his hit “You Are Not a Robot.”
Since then, he’s released two successful EPs, 2012’s “All American” and this year’s “Americoustic,” both which cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200.
Tickets are $21.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Finally, Earl Sweatshirt will headline the Neptune Theatre at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
As part of the boundary-pushing rap crew Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt was lauded for his talent while he was still in his mid-teens. As that group became a cultural force, he seemed to disappear. It was later revealed his mother had shipped him to Samoa, to a home for at-risk teens.
He returned to the mainstream in 2013 with a proper solo album, “Doris.” Along with earning rapturous reviews, the disc pushed him to No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
Tickets are $21.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
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