MONTERO
Lil Nas X, photo by Charlotte Rutherford
Montero Lamar Hill known by his stage name Lil Nas X has been a breathe of fresh air for the music industry since his record-breaking smash hit 'Old Town Road' in 2019. The rapper-singer-songwriter's ability to drive news and spark controversy is unparalleled, and his futuristic style and electric personality has garnered him fans the world-wide. Topping charts in over 10 countries, sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks and having the highest certified single in U.S history (14x Platinum) is a tough act to follow, but with the release of the lead single 'MONTERO' earlier this year, Lil Nas X proved that he's not just a one-hit-wonder. Now, with the release of his first studio album Montero, LNX puts everything on display for the world to see, and solidifies himself as one of the most creative artists releasing music today.
A general overlook of the album sees LNX rapping and singing about failed relationships, dark thoughts, family troubles and the difficulties faced by being an openly gay, black rapper. On 'DEAD RIGHT NOW' LNX raps about the differences in how he gets treated by the people around him now that he's a global star, calling out fake friends and family. 'LIFE AFTER SALEM' and 'THAT'S WHAT I WANT ' are songs about love and loss, building relationships and believing someone was 'the one' only to have it all fall down in the end. LNX's vocals are a highlight on most of the tracks, with the mixing on his voice sounding fantastic on 'TALES OF DOMINICA' in particular. An introspective track about depressive moments in life, family troubles and dark thoughts, this track features a low-key instrumental and beat with an emotional melody shining through. This is definitely one of the more memorable tracks for me as vocals and instrumentals are blended together beautifully.
'MONTERO' is without a doubt the best track on the album. An already certified banger, the lead single from this album is one of the most catchy songs I've heard in years. The instrumental makes you want to get up and dance, and the mixing/production is stellar. You can't tell me that you don't sing this at the top of your lungs whenever it comes on. The melodies are infectious and the colourful vocals are LNX's best to date. This track is in my opinion not only the best song on the album, but one of the best songs of the year.
LEFT: MONTERO Album Cover
'INDUSTRY BABY' which features Jack Harlow is proof that LNX knows how to collaborate, with both artists coming through with strong verses and energetic bars. Couple this with a colourful brass-heavy instrumental and a trap beat, this song is another proven hit and another highlight of the album. Another collaborative effort on the album is 'SCOOP', which features Doja Cat and a beat that interpolates 'Spoil My Night' by Post Malone feat. Swae Lee. Sadly, the instrumental is really the only thing that shines about this song, as it features a bland chorus that feels like a lazy Travis Scott rip-off. Doja does her thing and arrives with some funny bars but ultimately can't pull the song back from mediocrity. Megan Thee Stallion comes through with high energy over a trap beat on 'DOLLA SIGN SLIME', where the pair rap about being at the top of the game at a young age. Personally, I think they played this song a little safe as I was expecting a crazy beat when I first read the song title, and although Megan has great bars I hope she starts to experiment with different flows in the future.
RIGHT: Lil Nas X at the 2021 Met Gala
The second half of the album definitely slows down when it comes to pacing and instrumentals, with many of the last tracks featuring guitar-driven ballads. 'SUN GOES DOWN' which was released as a single for the album earlier this year features LNX portraying a younger version of himself who is conflicted by his complexion and homosexuality. The next track 'VOID' continues this notion of reflection, as he talks to his past self about being trapped in this life that he desperately wanted for so long. LNX lets us inside his mind, letting us know that he feels "stuck in this world with so much to prove, every win gives you more room to lose."
There are some issues when it comes to mixing where LNX's voice gets drowned out by the instrumentals on tracks such as 'LIFE AFTER SALEM', and a number of tracks fall prey to bland beats and uninterested vocal performances which is a shame as the introspective topics and thoughts LNX has are let down by these dull beats. Many tracks feel as thought they are playing it safe and I was hoping for the exact opposite. The features on this album are for the most part fine, but apart from Miley Cyrus on the final track 'AM I DREAMING' and Jack Harlow on 'INDUSTRY BABY', they left no lasting impression on me. I would have loved to see a proper Elton John feature on 'ONE OF ME', but sadly he is left to play the backing piano with a short solo at the end of the boring track.
All-in-all I feel like Montero hits in some places but misses in others. The two lead singles are definitely the best tracks on the album, and judging by their creative impact on the charts and apps such as TikTok, I was hoping for more high energy tracks off of this album. We did get an introspective look into the mind of the record-breaking artist, and the themes of relationships, family, depressive thoughts and fame are tackled in-depth. There is a lot of sonic variety on this album with tracks ranging from trap bangers to guitar ballads and everything in between and I appreciate that, I just wish there was something extra on a lot of these songs to make them stand out. Ultimately, Montero isn't as progressive or creative as I wanted it to be, but it for sure has some tracks that I will come back to and other tracks that will grow on me the more I listen. Lil Nas X's career is only just beginning, and if you ask me he's going to be one of the most exciting artists of the decade.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD MONTERO here
