Lil Nas X, MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name) | Track Review

Lil Nas X shocks the world with his bold new single, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name),” which explores and reflects upon sexuality.

“I’m not fazed, only here to sin / If Even ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…” Woo!   Grammy-winning, genre bender Lil Nas X returns with a hot new single, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”.  Nas X, who came out as gay when acquiring his success with “Old Town Road” has embraced his sexuality and identity, which is awesome.  On “MONTERO,” he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality – he is Montero Lamar Hill, after all.  Fueling the fire musically is sleek production courtesy of Roy Lenzo, Omar Fedi, and Take A Daytrip.  That said, it’s the lyrics and narrative that make “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” truly special (the eyebrow raising video is something in its own right).

Lil Nas X keeps things short but totally sweet on “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name).” The sweet part are the many experiences he references associated with many gay men at some point or other. On numerous occasions, he expresses desires including “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’” and arguably, more intriguingly, “Never want the niggas that’s in my league / I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy.” The latter lyric from the second verse is ear-catching because of the layers – crushing on someone more fit, handsome as well as potentially someone who is heterosexual as opposed to homosexual. The other notable thing expressed by Nas X is the plight of being a gay (LGBTQIA+) individual whether it’s being trapped in the closet, religious tension, or any number of factors.

Final Thoughts  

What’s crystal clear to me is that Lil Nas X is an incredibly versatile artist, perhaps more than I previously gave him credit for.  After admitting “I might bottom on the low” on “Holiday”, he definitely opens up more about who he is on “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name).”  Yes, there will be those who will be quick to judge and accuse the artist of pushing the gay agenda, which is sad to me. That said, I understand that he’s trying to educate and help the other ‘Monteros’ of the world who may have had the experiences which he speaks of. I’m all in. 

Lil Nas X• “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” • Columbia • 3.26.21

[: Columbia]