Montero
by Lil Nas X
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 17, 2021
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 465 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 380 out of 465
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 465
  3. Negative: 54 out of 465
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  1. venaskie18
    Sep 17, 2021
    5
    for me the only song worth returning to is the singles. the other songs were eh
  2. Dimespit
    Sep 18, 2021
    4
    There’s nothing special or revolutionary about this album. It’s weird that all these critics keep calling it a rap album when there’s barely any rap on it, it’s clearly a pop album and should be rated as such, it’s also weird that Metacritic won’t show the user scores
  3. air_02112
    Sep 17, 2021
    5
    It's not TERRIBLE but it really does not hit the mark for me. It is radio friendly, but has little to no substance.
  4. Gigeexo
    Sep 17, 2021
    4
    Some great production happening
    Altho only 3 songs made it to my playlist after full listen
  5. Danieldulguun
    Sep 18, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I dont like kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdkdkdkdkdkddkdkkdkdkddkdkdkdkdkkdkddkkdkdkdkdrkkrrkkrrkrkkrrkkrkrrkrkrkrkrkrkrkkrkrrkrkrkrkkrkrrkkrkrkr… Expand
  6. edelgardvonhres
    Sep 18, 2021
    6
    Montero had a lot of promise, even more so than most albums that were anticipated this year in my opinion. But upon listening to it cover to back a couple times, I have to say that Montero unfortunately falls into many of the trappings of most modern artists. The best songs on the album are the ones we had already known which severely detracts from the rest of the album due to how big andMontero had a lot of promise, even more so than most albums that were anticipated this year in my opinion. But upon listening to it cover to back a couple times, I have to say that Montero unfortunately falls into many of the trappings of most modern artists. The best songs on the album are the ones we had already known which severely detracts from the rest of the album due to how big and bombastic of a hit they are and it really works to the detriment of the rest of the album which ended up being entirely forgettable and incredibly over produced. From songs like One of Me which incorporates Elton's piano and pairs it with a decidedly forgettable set of vocals from Nas X to Dolla Sign Slime and Megan's talent severely outshining Nas X's own. By stretching himself into so many genres and trying to be relevant in all of them and please fans, the quality of song is unfortunately dropped. I wanted to like Montero. I really did. But I just cannot bring myself to say it's anything more than simply fine. It's an entirely forgettable affair and is a severe let down, especially when I know Nas X can do better than this. For all the hype and publicity that he had generated in preparation for the album, you would think there would be more here to enjoy and that it'd be a major album of the year contender, but as I had said. Montero falls to the way side, filled with bombastic sound but middling vocal returns. I hope he can learn from this and produce a more high quality album with more compassion and soul to it instead of this generic minimal effort run of the mill thing we've already seen and heard, sometimes even better, before.… Expand
  7. SchroederRock
    Sep 20, 2021
    6
    Pushed by strong production notes and a mixture of bombastic and subdued, Montero has plenty of moments of intrigue but often doesn't seem to pay off it's more subtle moments with infectious hooks, memorable beats to keep the party going. Not sure what to think of this album as a whole - it's not a waste but I don't think I can keep listening to more than a song or two. The albums bestPushed by strong production notes and a mixture of bombastic and subdued, Montero has plenty of moments of intrigue but often doesn't seem to pay off it's more subtle moments with infectious hooks, memorable beats to keep the party going. Not sure what to think of this album as a whole - it's not a waste but I don't think I can keep listening to more than a song or two. The albums best moments come on "Montero", "One of Me (feat Elton John)", "Sun Goes Down", "Industry Baby". Much of the rest of the album has a little appeal but doesn't sell anything well when it comes to poppy hooks that rattle in your head for hours after you've been listening to the music. There's no "Old Town Road", "Panini", "Rodeo" to hit the radio waves with serious strength. Sure, this will get tons of streams and it's clearly going to be "Montero" that leads the way for the album as a whole for plays, but as soon as you get beyond that there's a rather noticeable cliff for quality and memorability. Spotify's play counter shows Montero at 951 million streams, Industry Baby at 370 million, Sun Goes Down at 72 million, That's What I Want at 15 million, and then nothing else comes close.

    Sure, many bands/artists would die to see those numbers but for an artist with Lil Nas X's fame it's not exactly a ringing endorsement for the whole album. It's entirely possible that people left the album on to stream and just forgot to shut it off but I'm guessing at this point. The album isn't worth a whole lot for me but it has its moments, as is the case with most pop album these days.    … Expand
  8. carlinhosice
    Sep 20, 2021
    6
    Lenda que veio pra ser referencia em tudo que se propõe a fazer juntando gêneros e ritmos
  9. SebastianGutVel
    Sep 18, 2021
    5
    Meh... sí tiene una que otra canción buena pero para que tantos críticos le pongan puntaje 100... no creo
    No es repetitivo pero pocas canciones destacan en el álbum por tener ritmos tan similares
    Mejores tracks:
    1. THAT'S WHAT I WANT
    2. TALES OF DOMINICA
    3. AM I DREAMING
    4. ONE OF ME
  10. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 11, 2022
    4
    The debut is a precarious milestone in a musician's life,it can either set the path for a career defining era or keep the artist grounded to relative obscurity. The aforementioned not really a problem for those outside of the competitive and commercial sphere of pop. And lil nas x has made it clear countless time"i like seeing myself on charts " ,an ampt interpretation of his debut as aThe debut is a precarious milestone in a musician's life,it can either set the path for a career defining era or keep the artist grounded to relative obscurity. The aforementioned not really a problem for those outside of the competitive and commercial sphere of pop. And lil nas x has made it clear countless time"i like seeing myself on charts " ,an ampt interpretation of his debut as a whole. Comprised of similar digestible "rap?pop" the album mimics hype by leaving just as quick as it came with 9 songs barely making the three minute mark. In spite of the brevity and potentially bland cohesion the record is by no means boring. How could it be with the billboard no. 1 opener,Montero(CMBYN) seductively beckoning us through the very gay gates of Montero(following the recent trend in making albums destinations.see:planet her,chromatica).

    The opener acts as a final declaration to a lover to be exclusive managing to balance vulnerability, earnestness and explicitly innuendos and still make the song feel like more could be said. From the crude humour of "shoot a child in your mouth while im ridin" to the desperate "call me by your name/i don't care that you lying " he sets the defining themes and tones for the record:honesty

    The bleek "dead right now" confronts casual sex, cheating,betrayal and life post success without doing anything to add to the cliché. A moment of lyrical depth peaks out on the 2nd verse("left school,then my dad and I had a face to face ")citing a universal experience under a unfortunately common lgbtqia+ light of familial upheaval at the emergence of pride. If u enjoy honest moments like these from Nas they are plenty in the few 41min.

    The braggadocious "industry baby" shakes it off in an early victory lap. The song just as huge as the NSFW video that set off an uncomfortable air of homophobia in the rap industry, as it intended i hope. Addressing your victories might be a cliché in rap but with lines like ("i don't **** with **** im queer"&"need me like one with Nicki") how could you not bop?

    The very real plight of dating while black in a community which if not disregarding you for the muscle top white standard **** your stereotyped black endowment is discussed in the near trap pop of "That's what i want " .

    The brief interlude "art of realization " would seem unnecessary at first glance but divides the album into the popier bright egocentric 1st half against the more reflective latter half . It's taking a breath after a victory lap to look at all the hurdles you've passed and seeing if it made you fulfilled, the answer being("im not sure")

    The fun and unrelenting "SCOOP" benefits from a prime Doja feature as body goals is juiced and embellished into the type of self esteem only millionaires could afford- literally. The idiosyncratic doja delivery proves yet again her claim as a rap mainstay as she drops flows Nicki would be proud off. Vanity isn't a sin here it's a privilege, one that makes people expendable ("only need you to tonight "),apologies materialistic ("let him apologize i need it in a Bentley ")&fitness the standard for self improvement.

    To dicuss the 7th&6th song would be to discuss one song twice as their banality and rigid production and flow feel forgettable. The aforementioned would've been applicable to the megan assist track 9 had it not been for the caption ready megan verse reviving the record to "industry baby" proportions. "tales of Dominica " has the space to accommodate a halsey feature.

    The outstanding production of "sun goes down" isn't matched by the uninteresting musings of it's artist. "Void" takes an interesting take on sadness but never with enough depth to illicit a replay.

    The record highlight ""Don't Want It" is get off your seat head bopping rock-esque that descends into the cool "Life after Salem " which attests to Nas x's inability to execute confessional without feelin forced or insincere.

    The closer might be the best part of this record apart from the singles. Miley sounds mature,emotional amd beautiful against the crystalline beats. Nas x remunerations channel nonames "don't forget about me" to great results. It takes a relevant stroll down memory lane at the end of a block buster debut,having mastered the art of realization.

    Favourites:montero,industry baby, am i dreaming,that's what i want    … Expand
  11. Kat567
    Dec 15, 2021
    6
    The only main standout tracks for me where “Montero”, “Industry Baby”, “Scoop” and “Dolla Sign Slime”. I gave this album a much higher review when it first came out, and now it’s just a 6/10. The other songs are just not interesting enough to get listened to for months after the release,

    It’s just Lil Nas X”s first album, so it makes sense that it wouldn’t be extraordinary. I simply    The only main standout tracks for me where “Montero”, “Industry Baby”, “Scoop” and “Dolla Sign Slime”. I gave this album a much higher review when it first came out, and now it’s just a 6/10. The other songs are just not interesting enough to get listened to for months after the release,

    It’s just Lil Nas X”s first album, so it makes sense that it wouldn’t be extraordinary. I simply just found the other songs excluding those four to be boring, and not as strong. The overall feeling of this album is lukewarm. It’s not horrible, but it’s not a standout album I could listen too in full, over and over again.    … Expand
  12. breadstck
    Sep 18, 2021
    6
    This album is very inconsistent, incredibly high, highs, and low, lows. Tracks like "LIFE AFTER SALEM" really bring this record down, but tracks like "THATS WHAT I WANT" are really enjoyable. Unfortunately the album ended off really weak. The last two songs I did not at all enjoy, and that made me think less of this record, but after a second listen, this was pretty solid.

    overall I    This album is very inconsistent, incredibly high, highs, and low, lows. Tracks like "LIFE AFTER SALEM" really bring this record down, but tracks like "THATS WHAT I WANT" are really enjoyable. Unfortunately the album ended off really weak. The last two songs I did not at all enjoy, and that made me think less of this record, but after a second listen, this was pretty solid.

    overall I think its worth a listen, it's not a masterpiece, but its pretty solid    … Expand
  13. wanye2004
    Sep 19, 2021
    4
    That album was alright tho... I like the songs ONLY contain hip-hop. And not the pop or rock songs.
  14. offmydemi
    Sep 24, 2021
    5
    Como a Pitchfork já havia dito "Mesmo com alguns erros ocasionais, o álbum cumpre a promessa de um novo tipo de estrela pop" porém é um tipo que não agrada todos os públicos e principalmente o meu ouvido. Minhas apostas não são fortes para esse álbum ganhar como melhor álbum do ano em nenhuma premiação e com certeza dessa vez Lil Nas X não leva o Gramofone para casa.
  15. zakier
    Sep 25, 2021
    5
    Montero is not a bad album. But it is not the good album many are making it out to be. Montero’s production is definitely impressive and hits hard, and Lil Nas X flows over these beats very well. His hooks and choruses are catchy, and the features on Montero are definitely fun and add to the songs. The problem is, Montero isn’t anything more than that. It’s just a radio friendly album.Montero is not a bad album. But it is not the good album many are making it out to be. Montero’s production is definitely impressive and hits hard, and Lil Nas X flows over these beats very well. His hooks and choruses are catchy, and the features on Montero are definitely fun and add to the songs. The problem is, Montero isn’t anything more than that. It’s just a radio friendly album. Despite being in the industry for a few years now, Lil Nas X fails to offer any lyrics of real substance. At no point on this album does Lil Nas X get introspective, critical or I daresay, “intelligent”. All of his songs are brainless, feel good songs. And that’s not a bad thing, proven by the fact that I’m giving this album a 5/10. The album feels like 15 worse versions of Hotline Bling. I hope Lil Nas X can evolve and write lyrics which have meaning beyond surface level.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2021
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. HipHopDX
    Oct 13, 2021
    78
    The end result sounds like a distillation of contemporary popular music, the kind of blockbuster pop album following the much larger footsteps of Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman or Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, albeit not as polished.
    Read full review
  2. RapReviews.com
    Sep 28, 2021
    80
    Lil Nas X set out to make a crossover pop album with “MONTERO” and succeeded.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    Sep 23, 2021
    75
    Everything’s he’s done has led to this engaging debut record, a work that allows his inner self to shine.
    Read full review
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