Review: Victoria Monet - Jaguar

VICTORIA MONÉT
JAGUAR

A sensual, impassioned, and fiery debut record from Victoria Monét as she takes her place in the spotlight.

★★★★

Always the bridesmaid never the bride seems like perhaps a cruel way to tag Victoria Monet’s career to date. I would say she’s more of a silent partner, crafting huge hits for a variety of pop stars. She’s been most notably Grammy-nominated for her work with Ariana Grande on latest album Thank U, Next penning some of its biggest hits including the title track and ‘7 Rings’.

To date, she’s released a series of solo EPs over the past six years. This latest project ‘JAGUAR’ is envisioned by Monet as a three-part release, the compilation comprising her debut album. Taking away the semantics of what it is or isn’t, even as a standalone release JAGUAR is thrilling, cohesive, and a statement of intent by Monet.

Sexuality is a key theme for JAGUAR. Monet isn’t shy when it comes to expressing her desires in explicit terms, ‘Dive’ for example (‘I just wanna see what your head game like’). Whereas some artists who have taken this route often come off as cliche, cheesy, or cringe, Monet makes it sound sensual, liberating and exhilarating with her sultry tones and sensual brass instrumentals throughout. The compositions on Dive and Jaguar are both exquisite and a highlight of the entire project.

A minor complaint is the interludes. Both are standout moments, to the point where I would have loved them to have been fleshed out into full tracks. ‘Big Boss’ has bucketloads of sass and could have been a real anthem in the veins of Normani’s ‘Motivation’. That aside, there is SO much to enjoy in this new project. A rejuvenation of slow jams, a combination of 70s soul and 90s R&B, JAGUAR is a delight and I can’t wait to see where Monet takes her sound and this album next, I just hope she’ll be getting the recognition and attention she deserves.