Though Victoria Monét has written songs for the likes of Brandy and Ariana Grande, and has been releasing her own music since her debut EP Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 in 2014, she still exists somewhat in a cloud of obscurity. That’s often the case for successful songwriters transitioning into performing, but Monét won’t forsake quality in pursuit of notoriety. Her debut album is a kaleidoscopic collection of songs about sexuality, pride and big dreaming.
The combination of several genres – pop, R&B, dancehall, disco, funk – results in a shimmering sound that feels authentically exploratory. Lead single Party Girls delivers rich and sultry sonics, a singalong chorus – “Can’t forget about the party girls out lighting up the world” – and a supremely nostalgic feature from Buju Banton. You can almost taste the Prince influence on How Does It Make You Feel, while Hollywood (featuring Earth, Wind & Fire) is an aspirational soul ballad glistening with high notes and airy guitar riffs.
