Album Review: Jaguar II | Victoria Monét

The latest from the Grammys Best New Artist recipient

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Feb 08, 2024

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Victoria Monét, hot off her 3 Grammy wins Sunday night, including the coveted Best New Artist trophy, is finally receiving her flowers. In her inspiring Grammys speech, she mentions her long climb to this moment, "This award was a 15-year pursuit. I moved to LA in 2009. And I like to liken myself to a plant that was planted. You can look at the music industry as soil, and it can look to be looked at as dirty or can be looked at as a source of nutrients and water,"" said Monét, 34. ""And my roots have been growing underneath ground unseen for so long. And I feel like today I'm sprouting finally above ground.""

This week, we’re taking a look at the artist's most recent record, Jaguar II.

2024 Grammys: Victoria Monét Wins Best New Artist – The Hollywood Reporter

Victoria got her start writing for other artists. To name a few - Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Fifth Harmony. Most notable are from longtime collaborator Grande, where she has credits on smash hits 7 Rings, Thank U, Next, and 34+35.

On this project, however, Monét makes a name for herself. In an age of longtime songwriters having successful solo careers, she finally makes herself the spotlight. At its core - this is a wonderful R&B record filled with live-band arrangements that feel straight out of the sonic landscape from Bruno Mars & Anderson. Paaks Silk Sonic record. The feel of them is so groovy and silky and smooth that the palette of songs on Jaguar II really makes you feel like you’re in the jungle (or really, an expensive resort in the jungle).

The record has a perfect balance of being classic, cool, and sexy. Set with a 1970s backdrop, the record plays into this 70s vibe by getting the legendary Earth, Wind, and Fire to feature on the album track Hollywood. Victoria sings of a successful life and career “But I'm in Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should, ooh.”

Lead single Smoke with Lucky Daye is an excellent start to this record. Grabbing listeners early into the album’s fantastic songwriting, production and overall vibe. Highlights on this album include Record Of The Year nominated On My Mama, which oozes swagger and confidence while paying tribute to her roots. With bars like “I’m so deep in my bag I’m like a grandma with a peppermint” and with a nasty trumpet instrumental it’s hard not to love this song. Or, take the Kaytranada produced Alright.

Victoria took home Grammys for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, and Best R&B Album on Sunday night.

Check out our favorite tracks, listen to the album, and see our scores below:

Can’t Miss: On My Mama

You Can Skip: Smoke (Reprise)

BY THE NUMBERS

Bennett’s Score: 6.91
Carson’s Score: 6.91
Album Score: 13.82

Notes from Bennett:

On My Mama is a banger. so fun, fire.

I really like the production work on her, love her lyrics, fun & quirky.

I’m really glad Victoria is getting her flowers, she deserves them but, comparison is a bitch. I feel like Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, and Ice Spice have all done the same thing in their respective genres potentially better lol - By no means is Victoria Monét unqualified for this award, I’m just not convinced her work is more worthy than others.

Notes from Carson:

Was obsessed with Smoke last summer/spring. An amazing song, love the production so much. Highly recommend this one.

Also really enjoy the production on Alright. The Jaguar growls at the end are really cool and this album does really make you feel like you’re in the jungle.

This is a great record. Totally think it makes sense for Victoria to take home Best New Artist this year. She’s been writing hits for a decade so it’s great to see her finally reach this moment.

Enjoyed Good Bye as the closing track. Great way to close out this record.

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