Jaguar II (Deluxe)

When Victoria Monet released Jaguar in 2020, she intended the EP to function as the first part of a trilogy taken altogether as her debut album. She changed course three years later with Jaguar II, a concluding LP sequel she considers the EPs "older sister." Its without doubt a more rounded display of Monets writing and vocal talents, and at the same time underscores her high-wattage synergy with chief production associate DMile. Jaguar II nudges contemporary R&B forward as it mixes inspirations spanning continents and generations. "Party Girls" and "Cadillac (A Pimps Anthem)" radiate carefree pleasure and nonchalant swagger with a combination of early-70s cinematic soul and dub. The first of the two includes a dancehall section featuring the duly energizing presence of genre legend Buju Banton, a major figure in Monets musical upbringing. Jaguar contained an all-too-brief interlude with echoes of peak Earth, Wind & Fire, another inspiration. The group is even more of a factor this time, namechecked by Lucky Daye, Monets well-matched duet partner on the stoned opener "Smoke," while "Hollywood," a wistful and resigned reflection on fame, is augmented by the voice of Philip Bailey and the bass of EW&F partner Verdine White. The elements more subtly inform the song that follows, "Good Bye," a slow exhalation -- with strings, brass, and a group-harmony chorus neatly laid atop a sailing rhythm -- that feels like a lost Faces-era gem co-written by Brenda Russell and David Foster. Just as salient is that Monet always comes across as an everywoman at heart, no matter how fantastical or personal she gets, followed closely by her ability to sound authoritative without increasing the volume or toughness of her dulcet voice. Those notions are backed up strongest with "On My Mama," slinking and triumphant Southern funk with more horns and a punctuating sample from Chalie Boys 2009 hit "I Look Good." Monets wordplay is full of humor and stated as if shes just presenting facts off the dome: "Im so deep in my bag/Like a grandma with a peppermint/They say, Ooh, she smell good/That just cause Im heaven-sent." Wittier yet is "Stop (Askin Me 4Shyt)," a confrontation that takes some unexpected sonic turns and delivers on its title. ~ Andy Kellman

過去にAriana Grandeの楽曲提供で話題になったR&Bシンガー、Victoria Monetのデビュー作。前作同様にプロデューサーのD'Mileを起用している。70年代のノスタルジックなR&Bと、コンテンポラリーなファンクを合わせ持つアルバムとなっている。Lucky Dayeとのコラボ曲"Smoke"やキレキレのダンスも注目の今作のリード曲"On My Mama"、Earth, Wind & Fireと自身の愛娘をフィーチャーした"Hollywood"などがオススメ。2024年のグラミー賞に多数ノミネートされ、まさに新世代の歌姫となるであろう彼女の傑作。
intoxicate (C)石田真生

ロドニー・ジャーキンズ門下のグループを経てナズやT.I.らと共演し、アリアナ・グランデの制作パートナーとしても名を上げたソングストレスがRCAと契約して放つ新作。3年前のEPの続編的な位置付けで、今回も盟友Dマイルがメインで制作を手掛け、ラッキー・デイとのマリファナ讃歌を筆頭に、ブジュ・バントン客演曲やケイトラナダ制作の近未来形ファンク、サウス・ヒップホップを下敷きにした人気曲"On My Mama"などを抑制の効いた艶っぽい声で歌う。後半はアース・ウィンド&ファイアとの共演も含めて70年代ソウル色が強まり、シルク・ソニックを連想させる展開に。全編フックだらけの強力作だ。
bounce (C)林 剛