While
Jaguar is designated merely as part one of
Victoria Monét's debut album, it follows four EPs and a larger volume of songwriting work that can be traced back to 2010, the year the artist made a stealth entry as the co-writer of
Diddy - Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me." Most noticeably,
Monét has made more than a couple dozen songs with
Ariana Grande, such as the number one pop hits "thank u, next" and "7 rings," the latter of which was up for Record of the Year. Whereas
Grande's output is R&B-flavored pop,
Monét continues here in a mode that flips those genre roles. She simultaneously nudges the boundaries of contemporary R&B while referencing late-'70s and early-'80s sounds. Compared to her previous solo releases,
Jaguar has a little more definition and distinction, thanks in part to chief collaborator
D'Mile.
Monét sounds especially comfortable delivering her assured and honeyed hooks over plump disco-funk basslines and between high-powered horns. The versatility ranges from the bounding "Dive," an assertive physical and emotional challenge, to the drifting "Touch Me," a gentler slow jam that pairs well with
the Internet's "Girl." At only 25 minutes with another part in reserve, this effectively leaves listeners wanting more. Even certain tracks -- like a feel-good interlude with backing that resembles mid-'70s
Earth, Wind & Fire -- are tantalizing on their own.