Lil Nas X, Montero | Album Review 💿

Montero, the debut album by Lil Nas X, is an entertaining, personal album that successfully blends, pop, rock, and trap. 

Sometimes, one big hit is all it takes to solidify your legacy.  For 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Lil Nas X, the record-breaking 🎵 “Old Town Road” secured his spot in music history.  The question was, could this artist build a career with longevity beyond a novelty, country-trap song? Doubters were rampant (including me following 💿 7), but in 2021, Nas X has proven all the haters and skeptics wrong.  Single after single, released in advance of 💿 Montero has shown an indisputable superstar in the works.  Sure, success hasn’t come without controversy, but something tells me X doesn’t mind that at all.  Montero ends up being an entertaining, personal debut album that successfully blends, pop, rock, and trap.

“Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”

“I’m not fazed, only here to sin / If Eve ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…” Lil Nas X commences Montero with the controversial ✅ 🎵 “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”. Here, he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality. Fueling the fire musically is awesome production by 🎛 Roy Lenzo, 🎛 Omer Fedi, and 🎛 Take A Daytrip. It’s the lyrics, narrative, and music video that make the record ‘controversial.’ “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” shares experiences associated with many gay men. Nas X expresses desire: “I wanna feel on your ass in Hawaii / I want that jet lag from fuckin’ and flyin’ / Shoot a child in your mouth while I’m ridin’.” Another interesting lyric – “Never want the niggas that’s in my league / I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy” – is ear-catching because of its layers.  Nas X speaks about crushing on someone more fit, handsome, as well as potentially hetero- as opposed to homo- sexual. Furthermore, he expresses the plight of being gay, whether being trapped in the closet, religious tension, and other factors. “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” is an incredible way to kick things off.

“Dead Right Now”

✅ 🎵 “Dead Right Now” has a tough act to follow, but Lil Nas X is up to the challenge.  Here, he writes off fake folks, who only acted like they cared about him after he attained fame. On the second verse specifically, he speaks about his issues prior to fame, including suicidal thoughts. On the chorus, he gives the middle fingers to the frauds: “I’ll treat you like you’re dead right now /…You wanna fuck with me so bad right now / Well, now you can’t right now.” Two tracks in, Montero is off to a brilliant start.  That start continues with ✅ 🎵 “INDUSTRY BABY”, where he collaborates with 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper, 🎙 Jack Harlow.

“I ain’t fall off, I just ain’t release my new shit.” Lil Nas X has easily proven he’s no one-hit-wonder. He’s kills it on “INDUSTRY BABY,” produced by Take A Daytrip and 🎛 Kanye West.  The sound of the record is epic with hard-hitting drums and bright, accented brass.  Unsurprisingly, some samples shape the backdrop, fueling both parties.  I love the sheer confidence of Nas as well as the fact he doesn’t shy away from who he is: “I don’t fuck bitches, I’m queer, hah / But these niggas bitches like Madea, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy.” Harlow gets his in too, asserting, “I sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek.” Of course, the crowning achievement is the infectious chorus. Another bonus – another epic music video!

“That’s What I Want”

✅ 🎵 “That’s What I Want” keeps things short and ‘pop/rock.’ Where the opening trio embraced the ‘urban’ sound more, “That’s What I Want” has more emo/punk touches – a hint of rock.  What’s on Lil Nas’ mind here? Love and combatting the loneliness he feels.  As always, he keeps things black and queer, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! “Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night / Keep me warm, love me long, be my sunlight.” As always, the best part of the song is the chorus, which is authentic, catchy, and tuneful.  He follows with a skit, 🎵 “The Art of Realization,” which is introspective.  Here, Nas X speaks about being directionless in life, which is relatable for many folks (myself included). 

✅ 🎵 “Scoop,” featuring 🎙 Doja Cat gives Montero another banger.  The song isn’t deep but it’s fun and has a couple of key happenings.  Nas X wants to be the “scoop” or trending topic, but he also wants to ‘scoop’ sexually: “And I’m tryna fuck, lil nigga, fuck the chit-chat / I ain’t talkin’ guns when I ask where your dick at.” Doja cat plays off both meanings of the scoop, thriving most sexually: “He named my right cheek Jennifer and left one Lopez.” My, my, my! If “Scoop” sounds familiar, it interpolates the 🎙 Post Malone record, 🎵 “Spoil My Night” featuring 🎙 Swae Lee from 💿 Beerbongs & Bentleys. All in all, another successful moment from Montero.   

“One of Me”

Not everyone can get 🎙 Elton John to collaborate with them.  Lil Nas X pulls it off on another highlight, ✅ 🎵 “One of Me.”  No, Mr. John doesn’t sing, but he does play piano.  “One of Me” finds Nas X addressing skeptics not believing he’d have any career longevity following his ‘ace-in-the-hole,’ 🎵 “Old Town Road”.  “Word on the block is you fell off and I’m just sayin’ / If it ain’t ‘Old Town Road,’ Lil Nassy ain’t playin’.” Woo! Admittedly, I questioned the future of his career and I’m so glad he’s proven himself to be much more than “a meme…a joke… a gimmick” as references in the second verse of the song.

🎵 “Lost in the Citadel” seems closely related to “That’s What I Want”  regarding both sound and love.  This is a pop/rock joint that distances itself from being exclusively urban yet possesses crossover possibilities at the same time.  There is a pop-punk element, once more, that works better than expected.  That said, “Lost in the Citadel” didn’t necessarily stand out as a favorite when listening to Montero despite Nas X doing some impressive things artistically and, once more, singing about love. ✅ 🎵 “Dolla Sign Slime” featuring 🎙 Megan Thee Stallion feels more natural – no doubt about it! Lil Nas and his team have a great understanding they still need to appease the urban fan base.  This a trap-pop banger which the singer delivers with ease.  Also, helping his cause is some of the slickest production of the album, once more courtesy of Take A Daytrip alongside 🎛 Nick Lee and 🎛 Drew Sliger. As always, Megan is ‘on’ with her Real hot girl shit – “You gon’ fuck a Stan or the real Slim Shady?” 

“Tales of Dominica”

Like most of the songs from Montero, 🎵 “Tales of Dominica” keeps things brief.  Even so, Lil Nas X gets personal here.  “Tales of Dominica” signifies a shift on Montero, where the artist highlights family issues, depression, and loneliness.  It’s the perfect preface to one of the very best moments, ✅ 🎵 “Sun Goes Down”. 

“I wanna run away / Don’t wanna lie, I don’t want a life / Send me a gun and I’ll see the sun.” Those lyrics are troubling, capturing the suicidal thoughts of a younger Lil Nas.  Beyond the chorus, he expounds about his younger life, coping with bullying, colorism, and homosexuality.  While there’s ample sadness, Nas X arrives at a happier place later, asserting, “And I’m happy by the way / That I made that jump, that leap of faith / I’m happy that it all worked out for me…” Production is a big selling point, featuring a team comprised of Take A Daytrip, Fedi, and Lenzo once more. Some of the best features of the backdrop is the warm sound, created by guitars and later, strings.  This is perfect fuel for Nas X, who has a well written, tuneful melody to work with. He gives a fine vocal performance, showing off his lower register.  The effect is a masculine sound that is sweet music to the ears.

“Void” 

🎵 “Void” ends up being the longest track from Montero, running north of four minutes.  Once more, there is a shift to pop/rock.  This time, however, the pop/rock is slower – more ballad-like.  What’s alluring about “Void” is how Lil Nas X seems to reference gay cinema – potentially 🎦 Love, Simon and 🎦 Moonlight – but also weaves in his own personal journey.  Taking the time to listen and analyze “Void,” I have a greater respect for it than when initially listening. On 🎵 “Don’t Want It,” there’s a shift back to trap, yet the personal touches don’t disappear with a kick ass beat. The artist remains reflective, speaking about how he focused on attaining his goals and how he’s changed as a person. Another solid moment, all in all.

Montero is filled with standouts.  That said, two consecutive gems conclude the album.  On ✅ 🎵 “Life After Salem,” we get the most ‘rock’ version of Lil Nas X yet.  The guitars are pronounced and rather than embracing ‘commercial’ pop/rock, “Life After Salem” has more alternative vibes.  Again, the results are awesome, showing off the versatility of an artist previously deemed to be a surefire one-hit-wonder.  “Life After Salem” shines thanks to an electrifying vocal, stellar melody, epic production work, and honestly, contrasting everything else that precedes. ✅ 🎵 “Am I Dreaming” featuring 🎙 Miley Cyrus is a fabulous coda. After Nas X sets the tone on this gorgeous pop ballad (verse one and chorus), Cyrus provides contrast that complements X sensationally on the second verse.  We often forget how distinct and radiant Cyrus’ tone is.  The blend of both on the final chorus is like ‘heaven on earth.’  

Final Thoughts 💭 

So, how does Montero stack up? Lil Nas X has released a superb debut album absent of glaring cons.  I love the balance of pop, rock, and track, showing off the versatility of this talented, unapologetic black, queer artist.  Yes, folks were skeptical of the artistry beyond “Old Town Road,” but damn, does Nas X prove everybody wrong.  Montero ranks among the best LPs of 2021.

✅ Gems 💎: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” “Dead Right Now,” “Industry Baby,” “That’s What I Want,” “Scoop,” “One of Me,” “Dolla Sign Slime,” “Sun Goes Down,” “Life After Salem” & “Am I Dreaming”

🎙 Lil Nas X • 💿 Montero • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2021
[📷: Columbia]