Click above to hear an audio version of this review, with musical selections. Audio produced by Derrick Stevens.

In September 2014, Prince simultaneously released two complete albums.

PLECTRUMELECTRUM is a collaboration with his band 3RDEYEGIRL. A roaring guitar fest influenced by '70s bands like Led Zeppelin, it may be the most straight-ahead rock album Prince has ever released.

ART OFFICIAL AGE is something very different: a spacey journey that begins with the voice of Lianne La Havas welcoming Prince back to life after a 45-year deep freeze. Prince does indeed sound reinvigorated on the album, which ranges from sublime pop to hard funk.

PLECTRUMELECTRUM and ART OFFICIAL AGE were twin testaments to Prince's musical range and enduring energy.