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Victoria Monét - JAGUAR II

(Album Review)

28/08/2023

Victoria Monét for JAGUAR II

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As the sun sets over the jungle and eyes begin to glow in the wallowing bushes and lightly swaying tree branches, a deep growl in the distance can be heard, and if you search deep enough, you'll come to find its the almighty Jaguar that is Victoria Monét, thumping her paws against the mossy floor of the jungle, asserting her feminine dominance in a man's world.

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JAGUAR II is the raunchier but chilled sister album to the critically acclaimed EP JAGUAR which was released in 2020.

JAGUAR II consist's of 11 songs and 4 features, with one of those features being Victoria's own 2 year old daughter, Hazel Monét. Other artists that were welcomed into the jungle and made a part of Victoria's tribe were Lucky Daye, Buju Banton and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Friendly Suggestion: listen to the album from start to finish if you want the full effect of the review.

Tracklist Review :

1). Smoke featuring Lucky Daye; Victoria and Lucky play on the idea of smoking marijuana & having intimate relations together, whilst making sure to not forget to remind one another of the importance of cherishing the moment, no matter what it be. Filled with soul and R&B beats, this song is definitely designed to help influence a sultry vibe to the smoke sesh with the one you love.

2). Smoke (Reprise); Victoria sings about ending a special night with a loved one on a high note, which can be interpreted in any way the listener decides. A slow kick beat with light vocals and incredibly euphoric instrumentals that leisurely pace into a uplifting drum that transitions into Party Girls is one to not be missed.

3). Party Girls feat. Buju Banton; The sweet sound of Victoria's angelic vocals and Buju's raspy voice are enough to make your ears melt beyond solidification. The song tells a story of two lovers no longer holding back and allowing each other to fall into one of the beautiful dances of life that is love, whilst not forgetting to recognize the women of the world that get shit done and can still have a good time. Both artists have no issues keeping the listener intrigued with harmonic vocals and a beat so fluid that you will find yourself getting lost over and over again. From a slow whine to a fast whine, the beat will not fail to keep you locked in and keep those hips loaded whilst you transition into an uptempo situation with Alright.

4). Alright; Going from Party Girls into Alright is definitely one to make you say "oh, we're feeling this way now?! Okaaaay!". Alright is nothing but a feel good anthem regarding owning your body and being the one in control of it. Victoria focuses on how sometimes its fun to play the mind games with men that they would find pleasure in doing to you, and letting them think they have access to your most desirable parts when they're nowhere near. A fun, dance-funk blended beat that is sure to help level up your respect and love for yourself.

5). Cadillac (A Pimps Anthem); Sex. Dominance. Assertion. Power. That's what Cadillac embodies. Victoria enters this song talking about how a woman's appearance is sometimes misunderstood and implies that just because a woman is dressed pretty doesn't mean she is without power.. Then, in glides the smooth-like-butter vocals from Victoria and instantly you're hooked on the reggae-ton, jazz filled sounds that keep you wanting more as long as Victoria's voice accompanies them. A statement on how woman have quite literally been the driving force behind society since the beginning of time, and that women have just as much power in the game as the average male. A sensational, seductive and chin-punching attitude filled track.

6). How Does It Make You Feel; A soft, chilled, romantic atmosphere enters the room with How Does It Make You Feel. Victoria's sultry vocals accompanied by calm but intimate R&B sounds and ethereal instrumentals help send a subtle message to the listener that it's okay to follow your heart and love unapologetically, especially when you believe that person is your soulmate. Victoria also seems to play on the question; How does it feel to have someone who's love is for you, and only you? Very beautifully produced and vocalized, enough to make you believe you're in Heaven.

7). On My Mama; This specific track is an ode to Victoria herself, a homage to her Mother (L'Tanya Chestang-Cubit), as well as woman everywhere who seem to forget who they are and where they came from. Whilst it holds an iconic interpolation from Chalie Boy's song I Look Good, it also sends a powerful message to women everywhere that you should love the body you're in, because your Mama gave it to you. Victoria also sends out a signal to people across the world that she's very affirmed in her body and success and isn't afraid to hype herself up. A bad bitch anthem that will make you feel good each time.

8). I'm The One; An emotional change from On My Mama, Victoria has switched from feeling herself, to wondering why a romantic partner she is invested in cannot bring themselves to commit to her or acknowledge her and the love she has to give to them. Sometime's people are blind to whats in front of them and this song captures the frustration of how that feels. Overall, a thorough track with a orchestral R&B beat that helps the listener relate on a personal level.

9). Stop (Askin' Me 4Shyt); One for the girls that are sick of being the main breadwinner. Victoria makes it known with Stop (Askin' Me 4Shyt), that her lovers lease is up, and it's time to go. Sometimes, when a person is no longer bringing anything to the table and you're the only one keeping the lights on, you gotta kick the legs out from under their seat and send them back to the streets. A relationship should be beneficial for both people, not just one, and with the help of some light jazz/funk beats, Victoria delivers that eviction notice beautifully.

10). Hollywood feat. Hazel Monét + Earth, Wind & Fire; A very special track to help close out the album, as it features Victoria's young daughter Hazel. Alongside Hazel are Earth, Wind & Fire - one of the most iconic black musician groups in the world. Victoria uses this track to help herself remember how life used to be before she climbed to fame, and that it still all seems like a dream to her. Earth, Wind & Fire's vocals help solidify the message of the song and add sense of calm to the experience. Whilst also Victoria seems to be questioning things about her own life in this track, it comes across as also a personal message to Hazel herself that your dreams are achievable in every way possible, no matter how big they will be. Hazels moment on the track at the end with her giggle is the cherry on top for the end of the song to transition into the last track. Emotionally personal and a very special piece on the album that persuades the listener to make it their own personal track by asking questions about life, without forgetting to still chase your dreams.

11). Goodbye; An orchestral closing song? Grab the tissues. Tracks like these are always difficult for artists; it consists of closing chapters, moving on, finding peace and love somewhere else. But chapters of our lives don't always close so easily, and sometime's it's a battle of not being able to move on because of the physical connection you once had that you wish was still there. Just one more night, one more night with their skin, smell, touch, heartbeat. That's all you want. And when that can't be achieved, you say Goodbye. With the help of some pop/jazz and a few orchestra moments, Victoria sends her lover off into the world with no ill regrets.

A heartfelt message to a once dearly treasured lover that not all endings have to be bad and that some beauty can come from them.

*REVIEW FINISHED*

CONCLUSION: This is one album I have had the absolute pleasure of listening to over and over again since it's release. Very jam-packed with fun beats, mood elevating vibes and seductive measures, very strategic lyrics and structured features that all helped bring a beautiful energy to the album and its story-line. A guaranteed re-listen at any time of life. Congratulations to Victoria and her team for creating such a beautiful art of work.

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JAGUAR II IS CERTIFIED 10/10 BY REVIEWSBYLIAM

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If you got this far, THANK YOU! I hope you enjoyed my FIRST EVER ALBUM REVIEW!!

I'm so stoked that my first review was the amazingly talented Victoria Monét and her new album JAGUAR II !!

If you'd like to listen to her album, it's available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, all other music streaming sites and on iTunes!

Music Videos / Visualizers are also available on Youtube!

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