Victoria Monét shines yet again in “JAGUAR II” (This review features the deluxe version).
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TOP 5
5. We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet) (Ft. Bryson Tiller)
This song’s title is wild.
It’s pretty obvious what “SOS (Sex On Sight)” is all about, right? For anyone who can’t connect the dots, Usher and Victoria Monet are talking about dropping everything to get dangerously close to making babies. What’s striking about their lyrics is how vividly they dive into their mindset when they see their partners, capturing every detail of the intense attraction—right down to how quickly they’re ready to let the draws drop.
Have you ever had one of those wild nights where a few shots lead to your head spinning, and before you know it, you’re in bed with someone, and your libido is off the charts? That’s exactly the vibe this track gives off. “SOS (Sex On Sight)” features a mesmerizing R&B instrumental with undeniable jazz influences woven in. Usher and Victoria Monet’s seductive vocals complement each other perfectly, with both delivering their parts effortlessly. It’s smooth, sensual, and an incredibly enjoyable listen overall.
4. Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)
Tell your grandparents that women are pimps, too, these days.
Victoria Monét fully embraces the pimp persona in the most genuine way in this song. “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)” is laced with pimp slang, precise portrayals of pimps, cunning production driven by horns that pimps dressed in silky attire would relish strutting to, and vocals that exude an utterly unfazed attitude, much like pimps often do. Victoria flipped the script and became a star doing it.
Bishop Don Juan is shaking in his leather boots.
3. We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet) (Ft. Bryson Tiller)
Ain’t no way Victoria Monet is capable of falling in love (F**k out of here).
I genuinely believe that “We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet)” is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard—perhaps even surpassing anything by Stevie Wonder or Michael Jackson (OK, I’m exaggerating now). The production is both bombastic and gently nuanced, creating a soundscape that’s truly captivating. Victoria Monét and Bryson Tiller deliver effortless and incredibly pure vocals that are a joy to listen to. Their lyrics are surprisingly heartfelt, conveying deep feelings about love that I didn’t realize they possessed. Absolutely gorgeous.
2. Smoke (Ft. Lucky Daye)
Imagine listening to this song high as hell?
In “Smoke,” Victoria Monét and Lucky Daye promote Marijuana in the coolest and smoothest way possible. They speak on its ability to solve world peace and build strong relationships. They also talk about having prerolls, hotboxing, and shotgunning (Oh, they are legit stoners).
“Smoke” has this sluggish, intoxicating feel that is easy to drown in. As for the two singers, they shine vocally, hitting us with high-pitched vocals that will have you feeling high off life (All puns intended).
1. On My Mama
“On My Mama” will make the oldheads and young folks put their differences aside.
In “On My Mama,” Victoria Monét confirms she’s badder than a 10-year-old water heater. What I love is how she does this. Unlike the Sukihanas of the world, Victoria slyly and very respectfully speaks on her fine self, choosing to let Charlie Boy’s extremely annoying hook from “I Look Good” be the one to provide the ratchet flavor we all crave every once in a while. All in all, “On My Mama” is surprisingly a smooth listen.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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RGM RATING
(B+)
There isn’t a singer in the industry quite like Victoria Monet, at least not anymore. However, back in the 70s, there were several artists similar to her.
JAGUAR II is an enchanting old-school R&B album that masterfully encapsulates the essence of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-assertiveness. With its pure vocals and slyly crafted lyrics, this project takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the golden era of R&B.
Each track on JAGUAR II is a testament to the art of seduction and emotional connection. The album boasts rich and velvety production that pays homage to the classic R&B sound, featuring lush instrumentals and smooth arrangements that perfectly complement Victoria’s intoxicating vocals.
Victoria’s lyrics, with her clever and suggestive wordplay, effortlessly paint vivid pictures of everyday s**t that we all go through and are thinking. The artists’ ability to weave these narratives gracefully and with finesse adds depth to the album.
What truly sets JAGUAR II apart is the confidence exuded by Victoria. With every note, her powerful yet tender deliveries captivate the listener’s heart and soul. The vocal performances showcase great emotion and, strangely, a level of disregard that is hard to ignore.
In a world where love songs were an art form, JAGUAR II revives the spirit of that era without featuring a bunch of lovey-dovey lyrics. The album is a reminder of the impact that masterful vocalists, clever lyrics, and a dash of confidence can have on creating a collection of songs that stand the test of time.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
