Grammy winner Victoria Monét has released her album, Jaguar II: Deluxe, via Lovett Music/RCA Records.
The expanded set features all 11 tracks from the standard edition plus 10 new songs, including the Usher-assisted “SOS (Sex On Sight).”
Additionally, it features musician and singer Thundercat on the dreamy “Don’t Sleep” and Bryson Tiller, who joined her on the previously shared “We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet).
“I’ve always wanted to extend the interludes from Jaguar Part 1 and was so happy to hear Bryson liked this song enough to make it a little longer,” Monét said in 2023.
Among the album’s highlights is the feel-good jam “1990’s,” which samples Michael Jackson‘s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” and interpolates Anita Baker’s “Caught Up In The Rapture.” She sings, “‘Cause I wanna be starting something / And I wanna party like / The end of the 1900s.”
Then there’s “Love Is Stronger Than Pride,” a delightful reimagining of Sade’s 1988 classic.
“SOS (Sex on Sight)” was released Aug. 27 as the first taste from the deluxe album. The Camper-produced tune debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart. At the time of publication, it’s now No. 19 on the chart led by Chris Brown’s “Sensational” for a seventh week.
Monét explained, “‘SOS (Sex on Sight)’ is about desire. It’s about the urgency you feel when you need some love, physical touch and quality attention! Sometimes that desire can feel as urgent as being rescued from a natural disaster, or in this case, rescued from your own sensual urges.”
She continued, “Just like a storm, ‘SOS’ summons and forewarns a lover of the rainfall that is to come and welcomes the beautiful relief from that desire. It feels romantic, playful, sultry and direct. Based in fantasy and the warmest tones of R&B. It feels timeless and we hope you enjoy the escape!”
Jaguar II was released Aug. 25, 2023, via RCA Records. It debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart, with 15,000 equivalent units sold.
The 11-track album was preceded by the singles “Smoke” with Lucky Daye, “Party Girls” featuring Buju Banton and “On My Mama.”
At the 66th Grammy Awards, Monét her first three Grammys, including Best R&B Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), and Best New Artist.
In her acceptance speech for Best New Artist, Monét discussed her decade-spanning journey navigating the music business.
“This award was a 15-year pursuit. I moved to LA in 2009, and I like to liken myself to a plant who was planted. You can look at the music industry as soil. It can be looked at as dirty, or it can be looked at as a source of nutrients and water. My roots have been growing underneath the ground unseen for so long. I feel like today I am sprouting finally above ground,” Monét said.
Monét is scheduled to perform at day two of the 2024 ONE Musicfest on Oct. 27 in Atlanta. Jill Scott, Keyshia Cole, Jeremih, Dru Hill, Leon Thomas and more are on the bill.
Circling back to Jaguar II: Deluxe, a 2-LP vinyl is available for pre-order for $37.99. According to the description on Monét’s website, the vinyl is “presented in a deluxe print gatefold jacket.” It also includes an exclusive fold-out poster and all-new packaging.
Stream Victoria Monét’s Jaguar II: Deluxe album below.
