Victoria Monét - Frequency Of Love

Oct 5

Victoria Monét rose to fame through writing for other artists, prolifically working with Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony throughout the 2010s. It wasn’t until her debut album, JAGUAR II, was released that she was recognised as an artist in her own right. Since then, Monét has cemented her place within contemporary R&B, earning widespread recognition for her unmistakable vocal presence and polished songwriting. Her evolution from a behind-the-scenes hitmaker to a celebrated solo artist has culminated in Frequency of Love – an album that embraces a broader range of sounds which sit comfortably within Monét’s established repertoire.

The opening act consists of smooth, sultry vocal performances from Monét, paired with laidback instrumentals that effortlessly complement her style. “Come Back To You” sees Monét’s silky vocals gliding over an atmospheric instrumental that prioritises mood over complexity. Meanwhile, “Say Dat” and “Head To Toe” heighten the stakes, with Monét embracing a more sensual side of her relationship with her partner through a convincingly velvety tone.

While Monét’s vocals check many boxes, the lyrical concepts occasionally struggle to reach beyond familiarity. For instance, the lead single “Let Me” uses the ‘ride or die’ relationship cliché as its conceptual basis, with its chorus repeatedly returning to “Baby, just let me”, eventually following it with a not-so-subtle Destiny’s Child reference “Baby, just let me cater to you”. Fortunately, the record’s increasingly varied production provides a welcome counterbalance to its more conventional lyrical direction.

Summer vibes cast a tropical breeze on the boogie-tinged single “Juicy”, where its central focus of impatiently anticipating and fantasising about a sensual moment shared between Monét and her partner pairs with an infectious instrumental to create what feels like Monét’s take on Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bed Chem”. The Bruno Mars-assisted “That’s Why I Love You” combines the sounds of Bossa Nova and Bolero, with its influences reading as highly familiar to those found on Mars’s most recent effort, The Romantic.

Taking on a house-leaning direction are the tracks “Reach Out” and “Lose Myself”, the latter offering a feature from Chlöe Bailey. With production assistance from KAYTRANADA, “Reach Out” features call-and-response vocals atop a moody deep-house beat that recalls his FLO collaboration, “The Mood”. Meanwhile, “Lose Myself” delves into an afro-house style that avoids the overproduced tendencies of a trending HUGEL hit (“I Adore You”), instead relying on a subdued instrumental that allows the concept to take centre stage.

Ultimately, Frequency of Love finds Monét expanding her sonic palette while building upon the foundation she has established throughout her career. Although various lyrical ideas lack the same progression as its production, her vocal command and willingness to explore different styles keep the record consistently engaging. As a result, Monét’s sophomore album stands as a strong addition to her growing catalogue.

7.6/10

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