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. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  2. Mobina1
    Sep 23, 2021
    8
    Half of the album was skip for me but the rest were too good so I give 7 instead of 5
    Update: it aged so well so I give it an 8
  3. Softlyytears
    May 20, 2022
    10
    This album was just iconic and incredible, in just 15 songs you can feel so much due to how verstalie this album is.
  4. gabi9
    Apr 25, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Esse álbum é muito bom, as letras desse álbum é de cair o c... da bunda, são muitas sonoridades diferentes, como folk, rap, rap melódico, pop, rock, pop rock, e as colaborações são melhores ainda, tem Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion e Miley Cyrus.… Expand
  5. BustaDimes
    Mar 16, 2022
    0
    This album is terrible modern lowest common denominator pop music aimed to expand the toxic "politically correct" philosophy in a dystopian (and pretty digusting) way. The toxic popular worldview that we have now makes albums like this be fakely labeled, by so called "critics", as "good, provocative music", but I'm not biting that **** this is complete garbage musically and culturally
  6. ewidmer
    Mar 13, 2022
    10
    “Montero” by Lil Nas X is a song that will go down in history. Nas rose to fame from his viral song “Old Town Road” that became popular on TikTok in early 2019 and launched his career as an artist. He released a few singles after “Old Town Road”, including “Panini”, “Rodeo”, and “Holiday”, as he attempted to “soft launch” his sexuality as a gay man. He took a break from releasing music as“Montero” by Lil Nas X is a song that will go down in history. Nas rose to fame from his viral song “Old Town Road” that became popular on TikTok in early 2019 and launched his career as an artist. He released a few singles after “Old Town Road”, including “Panini”, “Rodeo”, and “Holiday”, as he attempted to “soft launch” his sexuality as a gay man. He took a break from releasing music as he gained a large following on social media. As a member of Gen Z, he related to his fans through social media, and became beloved by gay twitter specifically. On March 26th, 2021, after a short hiatus, Nas released “Call me by your name” or “Montero”. This song was extremely controversial in the media and was condemned by conservatives. “Montero” has explicit lyrics about sexual encounters and his experiences as a gay man. The music video stars Nas in every single role and is a sort of rebuttal to everyone who told him he was going to hell for being gay. In the video, he is shown sliding down a stripper pole to hell to give the devil a lap dance. Clearly this was a very bold move from Nas, making his ability to be marketed in the media, very niche. Although he received an unfathomable amount of hate, his message resonated with many of his young LGBTQ+ fans. Montero is a catchy, well-thought out, personal song from Montero himself, and single handedly proved that he was not a one hit wonder. The lyrics along with the video tied themselves together to create a masterpiece that has become a symbol of carelessness and freedom in gay culture. Lil Nas X has since continued to release music, including his self-titled album: “Montero”.… Expand
  7. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 5, 2022
    7
    Lil Nas X's full-length debut "MONTERO" is extremely polarizing and honestly I can't understand the numerous excellent reviews. Certainly "MONTERO" is not a bad album, also because Lil Nas X's unique personality is reflected in his music. But in the end it's nowhere near 10 out of 10.

    The beats and production are good, but nothing revolutionary and don't stand out from the mainstream.    Lil Nas X's full-length debut "MONTERO" is extremely polarizing and honestly I can't understand the numerous excellent reviews. Certainly "MONTERO" is not a bad album, also because Lil Nas X's unique personality is reflected in his music. But in the end it's nowhere near 10 out of 10.

    The beats and production are good, but nothing revolutionary and don't stand out from the mainstream. And TikTok classics like "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" or "INDUSTRY BABY" are annoying half a year after release. Overall, neither really good rap, nor really good pop, which even the diverse features can't change.

    My favorites:
    "ONE OF ME"
    "SUN GOES DOWN"
    "INDUSTRY BABY"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 5, 2022    … Expand
  8. jamesfhall
    Feb 23, 2022
    0
    This music is genuine crap. It's filthy trash designed to shock with little musical design. Lil Nas X's music is mediocre as always.
  9. CordRafael
    Feb 17, 2022
    7
    #normal #overrated #gostomasnaoescuto so qro deixar no perfil so qro deixar no perfil
  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. 9906dimatulac
    Feb 5, 2022
    9
    The "Montero" album by Lil Nas X has sassy and savages lyrics. I love some songs on this album. And the album cover was pretty good.
  12. happydog3344
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    Probably the best release of 2021 - not only in pop & rap - but over all genres. Lil Nas X proves himself as a force in the industry, blending catchy beats with deep, impactful lyrics. Tracks such as Tales of Dominica and Life After Salem show his range, both vocally and stylistically. All in all, Montero is an amazing body of work and great debut.
  13. MetacriticOnur
    Jan 14, 2022
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  14. sodovich
    Dec 25, 2021
    8
    Great debut album, it shows Nas' growing potential to become one of the best modern industry artists.
  15. SukoByat
    Dec 21, 2021
    10
    Álbum maravilhoso, foge de todas as tendências atuais mas mesmo assim tendo influência delas, o som dos trompetes nas músicas são perfeitos, parece que se eles não tivessem nas músicas algo faltaria. O Lil nas x foi genial nas mensagens e no instrumental desse álbum, e o melhor é que tudo é transmitido de um jeito completamente autêntico
  16. 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
  17. andrefgmiranda
    Dec 1, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a really bold album. Lil Nas X sings about his insecurities and all the prejudice he had to face being a black/gay man. Besides, there are great artists featuring some songs on the record.… Expand
  18. Mikujaws
    Nov 19, 2021
    8
    Is a really good album but i think need more variety in vocals of lil nas u know more variety of
    vocals shades in other song idk you song haha but i really like the album
  19. Denvers
    Nov 18, 2021
    8
    Surprisingly, Montero is a very good album filled with a lot of diversity from an artist you would not expect to make such a variety of different sounds.
  20. Mykestuart
    Nov 12, 2021
    0
    Really bad ☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
  21. lwtos
    Nov 6, 2021
    9
    Let's be honest. This is a great album. Not repetitive at all, catchy and with great colabs.
  22. TiagxPl
    Nov 4, 2021
    9
    I'm not a fan of rappers but this album is very good, the lyrics and the sounds catchy. I love this album and also they include collaborations with other iconic singers.
  23. Menios
    Oct 29, 2021
    8
    Lil Nas X's MONTERO was an unexpectedly remarkable debut. Almost loved it..
  24. Segundoleo26
    Oct 21, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Se siente como un reciclaje de álbumes de Frank Ocean & Miguel pero siendo demasiado básico y genérico
    Creo que es un intento de rapero y estrella pop pero falló en el intento por que suena como el ruido de una licuadora es desesperante y llega a ser fastidioso todo el tiempo.    … Expand
  25. cernayx
    Sep 22, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es un album revolucionario que deja ver el potencial y lo que es capaz de hacer el cantantwllwlwlwlwlwe… Expand
  26. Yocko
    Oct 17, 2021
    10
    Such a **** emotionally open, brutally raw album. Nas X goes: ok this is who I am. Period. And with that he drags generations of gay men upstream. I’m a white man in my fifties. Never been closeted but this album suddenly made me proud to be gay. I hate the LGBTQIA+ maffia and their petty little culture wars, lil Nas X proves once again that artists are best at defining our space. BecauseSuch a **** emotionally open, brutally raw album. Nas X goes: ok this is who I am. Period. And with that he drags generations of gay men upstream. I’m a white man in my fifties. Never been closeted but this album suddenly made me proud to be gay. I hate the LGBTQIA+ maffia and their petty little culture wars, lil Nas X proves once again that artists are best at defining our space. Because this is a space I want to inhabit. Which is definitely not one of victimhood. I listen to tons and tons of different music but it wouldn’t surprise me if by years end this album is at the top of my ‘most played’ list… Expand
  27. MARTINCARDENAS
    Oct 16, 2021
    9
    In general this album is good, their collaborations are great and in the same way their lyrics, sounds, production
  28. marlonfauzi
    Oct 9, 2021
    8
    5 favourites songs, Lil Nas X represented everything I would say loud and do without any regrets.

    Favourites: Montero, Dead Right Now, Lost in the Citadel, Dolla Sign Slime and Sun Goes Down
  29. Anderslewerin
    Oct 8, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best debut album. The album is a biography of his life. The song tales of Dominica Is one of the best songs for me. Personal, deep and amazing… Expand
  30. raonnemenezes
    Oct 7, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Basic and repetitive album. His voice is irritating in some songs. Scoop is frustrating.… Expand
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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
See all critic reviews »