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. DayneScott
    Sep 19, 2021
    10
    I feared the music wouldn’t live up to the amazing promo and album roll out but I stand corrected as Nas has established himself as a bonafide musician and an undisputed star.
  2. BelthazarBR
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    That's an instant classic, definitely an epic that will go down in history as one of the best albums ever made. AMAZING.
  3. 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
  4. manningn15
    Sep 27, 2021
    10
    MONTERO is perfection, favorite album of the year. The production is phenomenal. The songwriting is exceptional, I love how catchy the lyrics are while still being very personal and beautifully honest, touching, and heartbreaking and how he gives a voice to the LGBTQ+ community with his boldness of talking about the problems and fears we face especially when growing up that are not talkedMONTERO is perfection, favorite album of the year. The production is phenomenal. The songwriting is exceptional, I love how catchy the lyrics are while still being very personal and beautifully honest, touching, and heartbreaking and how he gives a voice to the LGBTQ+ community with his boldness of talking about the problems and fears we face especially when growing up that are not talked about very often in music and media it is just so beautiful to see someone that I and so many others can look up to especially those like me who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community. Lil Nas X's vocal delivery and rapping are great. The artwork is flat out gorgeous, one of the all-time best album covers ever. This is honestly one of my all-time favorite albums I have ever listened to.… Expand
  5. Dsros96
    Sep 24, 2021
    7
    Incredibly strong & deep debut album. With a lot of genres, topics & features, Lil Nas X has managed to make it cohesive & good.
  6. 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
  7. MrFrench
    Sep 17, 2021
    8
    After amazing singles “Montero,” “Industry Baby,” and “Sun Goes Down,” Lil Nas X does not disappoint with his solid debut album that proves he is talented alongside having the amazing ability to use social media to his advantage and to create music videos that are works of art and get people talking. This album is multifaceted with various genres and vocal styles, proving that he is moreAfter amazing singles “Montero,” “Industry Baby,” and “Sun Goes Down,” Lil Nas X does not disappoint with his solid debut album that proves he is talented alongside having the amazing ability to use social media to his advantage and to create music videos that are works of art and get people talking. This album is multifaceted with various genres and vocal styles, proving that he is more that a one-hit wonder. He shows depth in many songs that make you emotional, but also has harder-hitting songs that are still packed with passion. Certain songs like “Dead Right Now,” “Scoop,” and “Dolla Sign Slime” do nothing forming and kept this album from reaching A-status from me, but songs like the singles, “Am I Dreaming” with Miley Cyrus, and one of my favorite songs from 2021, “Life After Salem,” have me wanting him to pursue this direction on this album’s follow up. I have an obsession with this song as it is epic and its lyrics are great. Also, Lil Nas X sounds great with Miley Cyrus! While I hate the track with Megan Thee Stallion, I do think her part is fine, but the track with Doja Cat is irritating. I look forward to what Lil Nas X does with his career.

    On “Life After Salem,” Lil Nas X talks about a love interest quite beautifully with “you know I can be your part-time lover / our scars, they'll dance with each other.” This idea of singing to a love interest can also be heard on “Lost In The Citadel” with “my God, you're an angel / I only see you in your halo / I was hoping we could stay close / but we no longer sing the same notes.” On “Am I Dreaming,” he sings of how he must smile, bear the bad, and rewrite his story through his music with “tears running dry / shattered inside, but I still gotta smile as I'm sinking, I relive the story / glitter comes off, battered in blue, but I gotta go on / as I'm singing, I rewrite my story.” On “Void,” he continues sharing his mental health space when he sings “stuck in this world where there's so much to prove / every win gives you more room to lose / it’s too many ups and downs on the ride.”

    MONTERO - 9
    DEAD RIGHT NOW - 6
    INDUSTRY BABY - 10
    THAT’S WHAT I WANT - 9
    THE ART OF REALIZATION -
    SCOOP - 6
    ONE OF ME - 8
    LOST IN THE CITADEL - 9
    DOLLA SIGN SLIME - 6
    TALES OF DOMINICA - 9
    SUN GOES DOWN - 10
    VOID - 7
    DON’T WANT IT - 7
    LIFE AFTER SALEM - 10
    AM I DREAMING - 10

    116/140 83/100    … Expand
  8. davidmendes
    Sep 22, 2021
    10
    Incredible! I'm not going to lie when I feared this album would follow the rushed steps of his EP, but I couldn't be more wrong. This is fresh, solid and truly amazing. We should never forget what Lil Nas X did for the music industry and for the LGBTQ+ community. He is an icon, he is a legend and he is the moment.
  9. cianmuldooner
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    Yeah, LNX comes out swinging here. 15 tracks, 41 minutes long, and pretty much perfect, in my opinion. Mixing and production is great, lyrics are top notch, vocals and features are great and interesting and unique and the sound is completely cohesive. Favourite tracks are Industry Baby, MONTERO, Scoop, and Tales of Dominica.
    Fantastic album. Truly amazing.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. Iarley
    Sep 18, 2021
    9
    Incrível, as melodias e as colaborações do álbum estão ótimas, a voz do Lil Nas impecável.
  13. ronaldosiq
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    Lil Nas X é o maior que temos. Só orgulho desse garoto que entrega tanto em tão pouco no mercado da música ❤️
  14. 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
  15. Viniciusmeira
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    Omg, this album it’s pure Perfection!!!
  16. Lttlimpnst1r
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    The album is very well put together. My favorite song is Am I dreaming with Miley Cyrus, their voices bled together so well. The feature with Megan sounded amazing aswell. I definitely recommend listening to this masterpiece.
  17. normanfgabriel
    Sep 20, 2021
    7
    Um bom álbum, que me surpreendeu servindo bons lyrics em várias faixas, flui bem, mas acredito que falta mais comprometimento com os sentimentos os quais ele canta as vezes, principalmente na segunda metade do álbum em que tudo parece tão abafado pela produção pop e os vocais lineares, além disso, tirando jack harlow não acredito que nenhum dos outros featurings acrescente algo.
  18. Fertor
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Es todo lo que esta bien en el mundo porque tiene una letr y sinfonía acorde
  19. Jovyy
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    I’m here for all of Montero….this album is it…will have to say my faves are Industry Baby, Scoop and Montero…and there’s something about Sun Goes Down
  20. PEDROMFR
    Sep 19, 2021
    8
    A raw, honest and emotional album that still brings us the right hooks. Lil Nas X did great with his debut album, proving he's much more than a one-hit-wonder.
  21. Darikramos
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Esto era lo que a la industria le faltaba, uno de los mejores álbumes del 2021
  22. ronniebennett
    Sep 20, 2021
    10
    Honestly this album succeeded my expectation, lil nas x if this is your baby trust me, you made one of the best or the best album by far of 2021
  23. 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
  24. Crowded98
    Sep 21, 2021
    10
    This is the best album by a male artist in recent years. I love it soooooo much !!
  25. Junkiest
    Sep 17, 2021
    9
    After 7, I had absolutely no hope for a good Lil Nas X project. Then MONTERO came out. I’m absolutely floored. This album can easily compete for album of the year, and honestly is the most surprisingly good release of the year to date. This album is a such a statement to release, especially after all the criticism and homophobia after Call Me By Your Name, DaBaby’s rolling loudAfter 7, I had absolutely no hope for a good Lil Nas X project. Then MONTERO came out. I’m absolutely floored. This album can easily compete for album of the year, and honestly is the most surprisingly good release of the year to date. This album is a such a statement to release, especially after all the criticism and homophobia after Call Me By Your Name, DaBaby’s rolling loud performance, etc. Lil Nas X is here to stay, and I love it.… Expand
  26. MetacriticOnur
    Jan 14, 2022
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  27. EDSC65
    Sep 19, 2021
    10
    Me encanta como en este album Montero se muestra muy versatil a diferentes generos, y como puede hacer las cosas muy diferente a comparacion de muchos artistas masculinos, me encanto el álbum
  28. leumassregor
    Sep 19, 2021
    7
    This new debut record from Lil Nas X is a delight to listen to. Starting off hard with "MONTERO", "DEAD RIGHT NOW", and "INDUSTRY BABY", and finishing off with the ambient and almost futuristic sounding "LIFE AFTER SALEM" and the absolutely beautiful Miley Cyrus feature on "AM I DREAMING", this album is really diverse and will leave you feeling somewhat satisfied, despite a fewThis new debut record from Lil Nas X is a delight to listen to. Starting off hard with "MONTERO", "DEAD RIGHT NOW", and "INDUSTRY BABY", and finishing off with the ambient and almost futuristic sounding "LIFE AFTER SALEM" and the absolutely beautiful Miley Cyrus feature on "AM I DREAMING", this album is really diverse and will leave you feeling somewhat satisfied, despite a few underwhelming moments and the brief moments of some generic radio-pop sounding production.… Expand
  29. springle
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    this is the best album of this year, and already one of my favorites of all time. this is the dream album for those people who say they "like every genre".
  30. Jc2002
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    Sin duda magnífico El álbum es tan icónico que hace querer escucharlo todo el día las colaboraciones sin duda son magníficas
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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
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