by Selene Ashewood ’22

Genre-bending star Lil Nas X, after a year of teasing and snipping up songs, released Montero, the album bearing his real name. When all three of Montero’s singles greatly impressed fans and critics, with one gold certification and one platinum, anticipation for the complete body of work skyrocketed. On September 17, the other 12 songs of varying genres graced the public. It is a delight to report that his world-building skills didn’t lag during this captivating and exciting project.

The tracklist offers 15 songs and five features, conveying an ambiguous emotional progression. Lil Nas X is great at balancing his work, incorporating meaningful shades of himself throughout but in a way separable from the fun sounds he often produces. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is the straightforward opener. Soft guitar chords from the opening seconds evolve into an intensely produced tune, punctuated by rhythmic claps and Lil Nas X’s exceptional vocal performance over all of it. 

A grand brass orchestra in “Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow),, which is deservedly still high on the charts at the moment, is used as a foundation for pumped-up hip-hop that highlights immense strengths of the featuring and the main artist. Speaking of instrumentals, the heavy drums on 

“Lost in The Citadel” creates a dash of rock and the feel of the track illustrates story-telling talent. Without a visual or many plot specifics, the ambiance of running around, lost, still prevails. Listeners have to focus their ears to get the main plot: hopeless romanticism for a specific someone, which adds angst, accentuating the semi rock-and-roll tone.

Tales Of Dominica is short tempo-ed for an emotionally charged ballad, even when that ballad is intentionally delivered in monotone and tired voice. Repeated sound effects like heavy chains slapping against the ground encompass the intended dread and fatigue conveyed in this track. Unique choices make the song stand out and creative lyrics make listeners lean in more to what Lil Nas X is trying to say. Conversely, the more up-beat tune “Don’t Want It” is a personal favorite. This is a great example of how overproduction, something with a negative connotation, is often used positively on his music: it plays off his natural voice to heighten the stakes of the song rather than completely altering his sound. These lyrics and the intense musical elements surrounding them have cocky energy that are delivered perfectly. 

A perfect ending to an enjoyable album is “Am I Dreaming (feat. Miley Cyrus),” and the proof of such a claim lies within the first seconds of the music. The song includes the most stripped-down audio of the same acoustic guitar chords that have been present for nearly every other song, and overlaying the instruments are beautiful vocals from the star in a serene tone but thoughtful words. The same is given by Miley Cyrus but more instantly recognizable for the meaning within her delivery. The two come to overlap satisfyingly, yet abruptly fade out for Lil Nas X to ask that he, “and everything [he has] done” will not be forgotten–dramatic yet calm, harmonizing the voices yet distinguishing them, as they both request to avoid the inevitable. 

Grade: A-