Victoria Monét’s Frequency of Love Review: Love in Every Form

Following the success of Jaguar II was never going to be an easy task for Victoria Monét.

The Grammy-winning album introduced her to a much wider audience, solidified her place among R&B’s most exciting artists, and delivered the kind of infectious music that made it nearly impossible to sit still.

Three years later, Monét returns with Frequency of Love, a sophomore album that trades some of that excitement for something softer, more intimate, and considerably more reflective.

And while the change in direction is refreshing, it doesn’t always make for the most engaging listening experience.

Across 22 tracks, Frequency of Love explores love in nearly every form imaginable. Romantic relationships, sexual intimacy, motherhood, heartbreak, and self-discovery all find their place within the album.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the excitement of falling in love, Monét seems equally interested in the vulnerability required to sustain it and the emotional work that comes with understanding yourself.

It’s a thoughtful direction for an artist whose songwriting has always been one of her greatest strengths.

Musically, Monét leans heavily into smooth, atmospheric R&B, incorporating elements of soul, funk, house, and classic balladry. The production is consistently polished, with lush harmonies, delicate instrumentation, and arrangements that give her vocals plenty of room to shine.

Her voice remains effortlessly captivating, capable of making even the simplest melodies feel luxurious.

However, that commitment to creating a soothing atmosphere becomes one of the album’s biggest weaknesses.

Much of Frequency of Love operates within a similar musical space, favoring restrained tempos and understated production. Individually, many of these songs are enjoyable. Heard together, particularly across such a lengthy tracklist, they begin to lose their individual identities.

The album could have benefited tremendously from a more selective approach. At 22 tracks, there are moments when the listening experience feels unnecessarily stretched, and some of the strongest material struggles to stand apart from everything surrounding it.

Fortunately, when Monét introduces a little more energy, the difference is immediately noticeable.

“Reach Out,” featuring production from KAYTRANADA, is among the album’s most engaging moments, bringing a danceable groove that provides a welcome change of pace.

“Juicy” similarly embraces a playful, funk-inspired sound that feels reminiscent of the confidence and personality that made Jaguar II so memorable.

These tracks demonstrate that Monét hasn’t abandoned her ability to create infectious records. If anything, they make you wish she had incorporated more of that energy throughout the project.

The collaborations also provide some of the album’s most interesting moments.

“See You in My Dreams,” featuring SZA, brings together two distinctive R&B voices for a dreamy exploration of love and regret. Their vocal styles complement one another beautifully, even if the song doesn’t quite reach the heights their pairing might suggest.

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Meanwhile, “That’s Why I Love You,” featuring Bruno Mars, takes a different approach, incorporating romantic, Latin-inspired instrumentation that gives the album some much-needed musical variety.

It’s an unexpected but welcome pairing that highlights Monét’s willingness to experiment beyond conventional contemporary R&B. Yet some of the album’s most affecting moments have little to do with its high-profile guests.

Monét’s exploration of motherhood, particularly on songs featuring her daughter Hazel, brings an emotional sincerity that helps distinguish Frequency of Love from a traditional collection of romantic ballads.

These moments broaden the album’s definition of love and offer a more personal glimpse into the woman behind the music.

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They also reinforce an important point: Monét doesn’t need elaborate production or a superstar collaborator to create something meaningful. Her songwriting and vocal delivery are more than capable of carrying that responsibility.

Still, it’s difficult not to compare Frequency of Love to its predecessor. Jaguar II balanced sensuality, confidence, nostalgia, and musical experimentation with an infectious energy that made its individual songs memorable.

Frequency of Love is more subdued and emotionally open, but it occasionally sacrifices that same sense of excitement in pursuit of a consistent mood.

That isn’t necessarily a problem with the direction itself.

Artists should be encouraged to evolve, and Monét has earned the freedom to explore whatever sounds and stories interest her. The issue is that the album’s strongest ideas don’t always translate into an equally compelling experience from beginning to end.

At its best, Frequency of Love is a beautifully produced celebration of vulnerability, intimacy, and the many relationships that shape our lives. It showcases Monét’s remarkable vocal abilities, her appreciation for R&B’s musical history, and her continued growth as a songwriter.

At its weakest, it becomes a collection of pleasant songs that could use a little more personality, variation, and momentum.

With Frequency of Love, Victoria Monét proves that she has plenty more to say about love. A shorter, more focused album might have made those messages resonate even more.

Fans will soon have the opportunity to experience these songs live when Monét kicks off her Frequency of Love Tour on October 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina, bringing her latest musical chapter to stages across North America through December.

What’s your favorite track on Frequency of Love? Let us know in the comments!

 

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