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Victoria Monét has recently released her highly anticipated album, “Jaguar II.” Building on the success of her previous album “Jaguar,” Monét’s latest project showcases her evolution as an artist and solidifies her position as a rising star in the music industry moving from behind the scenes and into the spotlight.
Although you may have never heard of Monét before, she has written many songs for today’s popular artists. “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande, “Reflection” by Fifth Harmony and “Ice Cream” by BLACKPINK ft. Selena Gomez are just a few that are on Monét’s long list of notable collaborations. Over the past few years, Monét has taken a step into the spotlight garnering many fans due to her outstanding writing and singing skills.
Monét’s music effortlessly blends elements of R&B, pop and even hints of electronic vibes. As an artist, Monét pushes the boundaries to create a sound that is uniquely her own; many of her fans and critics have attributed her to being the new sound of modern R&B.
Since the announcement of the new album, fans have been eagerly awaiting this release and let me tell you, it does not disappoint.
Monét’s new album includes 11 songs such as “Smoke,” “Smoke (Reprise),” “Hollywood” and “On My Mama.” Many of the songs include highly anticipated features from Buju Baton, Earth, Wind, & Fire and Lucky Daye.
When you first begin listening to the album, you are drawn in by the project’s versatility that carries itself throughout the album from dancehall features to southern rap.
The most popular title track from the album, also named the song of the summer by many, is called “Party Girls” featuring Buju Banton. What’s captivating about the song is that it’s never boring from the melodies to the dance break. Even the lyrics continue to constantly keep you entranced and engaged in the music. I also especially enjoyed that Monét takes the time to make the track fit any setting and really does acknowledge “Party Girls” all over the world. From my point of view, what makes this song so unique is that Monet collaborates with Buju to effortlessly blend the sounds of old reggae and dancehall with the sound of the Dirty South to create a dance track that attracts everyone who enjoys all genres of music and to create a culture fusion that anyone can appreciate. For me, it doesn’t get more summer than that.
My absolute favorite song on the album would have to be “On My Mama”. The song and the music video both feature strong Y2K vibes that are sure to make anyone dance to the track and most importantly pay homage to the HBCU majorette dance style. The song has recently become a TikTok trend where sororities and dancers come up with a stan to accompany the song. The song contains a strong baseline with trumpets carrying the main melody of the song, featuring Monét rapping to the sample of Chalie Boy’s 2009 track, “I Look Good.” This track absolutely does justice to the HBCU and older 2000 sound and I think that is why it is so popular because it brings a multitude of people together from different times who are able to bring different perspectives and different dance styles to the song that makes it relatable and fun.
The final song on the album that I would have to say I enjoyed the most was “Hollywood” featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and her daughter Hazel Monét. This song is one of the slower ballads on the album and goes into depth about Monét’s true feelings about being a star. I enjoy it because she takes the time to be vulnerable and reflect on what it truly means to be a star in Hollywood. In my opinion, this is one of the best slower songs on the album because Monet reminds listeners to find beauty and simplicity found in smaller pleasures.
Monét has said she wrote the album when she wasn’t feeling her best but wrote the songs anyway to speak positivity into her life while she was dealing with postpartum depression. She believes that when you speak positive words into your life, they manifest themselves in you and I truly believe that Monét’s music reflects that belief and it’s why so many people can relate to her and enjoy her music.
“Jaguar II” delves into a range of themes, from love and heartbreak to self-discovery and empowerment. Her lyrics paint vivid pictures and invite listeners to connect on a deeper level. Each track on “Jaguar II” holds a story waiting to be unraveled and Monet does not disappoint in her ability to capture the essence of these emotions.
