The American singer-songwriter tells listeners to “get wild” in the first part of her debut studio album that oozes nostalgic, old-school funk and 21st Century R&B.
Monet’s previous collections of work allowed the rising star to explore the freedom of music and effectively worked as a testing ground for the singer to find her sound and personality. Jaguar is no different but is much more polished and underlines Monet’s gift as a versatile and contemporary artist.
From the album’s first track, the singer’s artistry exudes power, confidence, sensuality and control. It’s a rollercoaster ride of moods, genres and tones that makes listening to the album feel slick and luxurious. The combination of her technical genius with sound and knockout lyrical brilliance proves that the young performer is a force to be reckoned with (though many would already know this from looking at her previous songwriting credits). Despite only holding nine songs (two of which are interludes), listeners are given a clear representation of Monet’s musical prowess as well as her identity and unique perspective as a queer woman of colour in the industry.
It is a surefire triumph for the singer, receiving widespread critical acclaim from a number of prominent music critics. Monet has been responsible for some of the biggest hits in pop and R&B for the last few years so it is delightful to see her own work being similarly accepted with such admiration and praise.
Her ability to blend nostalgic influences of different genres with youth and flair showcases her potential to shine as a multifaceted artist who encourages femininity and empowerment in a music landscape saturated with trends and adulated talents.
If this is just the first teaser of what to expect from the star’s debut album, the future is looking very bright for Miss Monet.
