Victoria Monét – Frequency Of Love (2026): Full Album Review
Victoria Monét – Frequency Of Love (2026): Full Album Review
Introduction
Victoria Monét – Frequency Of Love (2026) is a confident, romantic and ambitious second studio album from one of contemporary R&B’s most exciting artists.
Released on October 2, 2026, the album contains 22 tracks and follows Monét’s Grammy-winning 2023 album Jaguar II. It arrives through Lovett Music/RCA Records and features a remarkable group of guests, including SZA, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Leon Thomas, Chlöe, Lucky Daye and Hazel Monét. (Sony Music Canada)
What makes Frequency Of Love interesting is its central idea.
Victoria Monét is not treating love as only romance between two people.
She explores love as attraction, desire, family, motherhood, self-respect, memory, healing and personal growth.
The album also reaches beyond modern R&B.
There are elements of soul, funk, gospel, house, pop, dance music and older R&B traditions. Apple Music describes the project as an ambitious journey through Monét’s record collection and musical influences, with references to artists and songs from earlier generations. (Apple Music – Web Player)
This makes Frequency Of Love much bigger than a collection of romantic songs.
It is an album about what love can mean at different stages of life.
What Is Frequency Of Love?
Frequency Of Love is Victoria Monét’s second full-length studio album.
It follows Jaguar II, the project that helped move Monét from being widely known as a songwriter into the center of the R&B spotlight as a solo artist.
Jaguar II was a major breakthrough.
It earned Monét multiple Grammy nominations and ultimately helped establish her as one of the leading contemporary R&B artists of her generation.
With Frequency Of Love, she faces a difficult challenge.
How do you follow a successful debut without simply making the same album again?
Her answer is to expand.
Instead of staying completely inside the sound of Jaguar II, Monét explores more musical territory.
The result is a long album that deliberately moves through different forms of love and different musical eras.
Frequency Of Love (2026) Quick Facts
Artist: Victoria Monét
Album: Frequency Of Love
Release year: 2026
Release date: October 2, 2026
Genre: R&B/Soul
Number of tracks: 22
Label: Lovett Music / RCA Records
Previous studio album: Jaguar II
Major features: SZA, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Leon Thomas, Chlöe, Lucky Daye and Hazel Monét. (Sony Music Canada)
The Meaning Behind Frequency Of Love
The title is one of the most important parts of the album.
A frequency is something that can be felt, measured or experienced as a vibration.
Monét turns that idea into a metaphor for love.
The album suggests that love is not simply an emotion.
It is something people can live through.
It can affect how people behave.
It can change how people see themselves.
It can connect parents and children.
It can bring two strangers together.
It can also remain in someone’s mind after a relationship ends.
This gives the album a larger emotional range.
Love is not presented as one simple feeling.
It has different frequencies.
Some are sensual.
Some are joyful.
Some are painful.
Some are spiritual.
Some are familial.
Some are playful.
That is what makes the album’s title so effective.
The Sound of Frequency Of Love
The easiest way to describe the sound is modern R&B with a wide musical palette.
But that description does not tell the entire story.
Monét uses:
- Contemporary R&B
- 1990s R&B
- 2000s R&B
- Neo-soul
- Funk
- House
- Gospel
- Pop
- Dance music
- Soul
- Electronic production
- Classic ballad writing
Pitchfork and other early coverage have also highlighted the album’s movement between R&B and electronic/dance sounds. (Pitchfork)
That variety could have made the album messy.
Instead, Monét tries to connect everything through the idea of love.
A New Chapter After Jaguar II
The shadow of Jaguar II is impossible to ignore.
That album helped define Victoria Monét’s public image.
It had funk.
It had sensuality.
It had confident songwriting.
It had a strong visual identity.
Frequency Of Love keeps some of those qualities but moves in a different direction.
The sound is often softer.
There is more space for vulnerability.
There are more references to older music.
There is also more experimentation.
That shows artistic confidence.
Monét is not trying to recreate her breakthrough.
She is trying to build on it.
Track-by-Track Review
1. All I Need
The album begins with “All I Need.”
Starting with a song about emotional need is appropriate.
Before the album explores different types of love, Monét establishes the basic human desire for connection.
The production is intimate.
Her voice feels close to the listener.
It is not an unnecessarily dramatic opening.
Instead, it feels like an invitation.
The song creates the emotional doorway into the rest of the album.
2. Come Back To You
“Come Back To You” introduces a more personal form of love.
The song has a warm midtempo feel.
According to Billboard’s track-by-track ranking, the song opens with delicate piano, soulful percussion, guitars and sparkling textures, while also incorporating a brief moment involving Monét’s daughter Hazel. (KhanList)
That detail matters.
The album is not only about romantic relationships.
Monét is also exploring family.
The song feels like a reminder that love can be a permanent connection.
3. Let Me
“Let Me” was one of the important singles leading into the album.
It is a slow, sensual song that focuses on emotional openness.
The title itself is powerful.
“Let me” suggests permission.
It suggests vulnerability.
It suggests somebody asking another person to allow them into their emotional world.
The song was initially divisive among some listeners, but it became a major Adult R&B success, spending three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. (KhanList)
Within the album, the song makes more sense.
It is not simply a romantic single.
It represents the idea of being emotionally ready to love.
4. Single featuring Bryson Tiller
The Bryson Tiller collaboration gives the album a different mood.
Bryson’s style naturally fits contemporary R&B.
His voice brings a darker texture to the project.
The song explores independence and relationships.
There is a tension between being single and wanting someone.
That contradiction appears often in modern dating.
A person can enjoy freedom while still wanting intimacy.
Monét captures that tension here.
Not every listener will rank “Single” among the album’s strongest moments.
Some early critical rankings have placed it toward the lower end of the 22-track project. (KhanList)
But it still plays an important role in the album’s broader story.
5. Reach Out
“Reach Out” is one of the album’s most energetic moments.
The song reunites Monét with Kaytranada, who previously worked with her on “Alright.”
The production moves toward house and dance music.
This is one of the clearest examples of Monét expanding beyond traditional contemporary R&B.
The song is about wanting connection.
But musically, it feels like movement.
That is a clever combination.
Love becomes physical.
You do not just hear it.
You feel it through the beat.
Billboard described “Reach Out” as a house-influenced track produced by D’Mile and Kaytranada, while noting its connection to an older song by The Eight Minutes. (KhanList)
6. See You In My Dreams featuring SZA
This is one of the album’s standout collaborations.
Victoria Monét and SZA are a natural pairing.
Both artists understand complicated emotions.
Both can make vulnerability sound stylish.
“See You In My Dreams” focuses on someone who got away.
That makes the song different from the album’s happier expressions of love.
Here, love survives through memory.
The relationship may be finished.
The person may be gone.
But the mind continues returning to them.
NME called the collaboration one of the album’s best moments, describing it as a hazy combination of boom-bap and R&B. (NME)
The chemistry between Monét and SZA is one of the reasons the song works so well.
7. That’s Why I Love You featuring Bruno Mars
This is arguably the album’s most glamorous collaboration.
Bruno Mars joins Monét for “That’s Why I Love You.”
The song draws inspiration from the 1960s song “Ritornerai” by Bruno Lauzi.
The result is romantic, elegant and old-fashioned in the best possible way.
The vocal chemistry is strong.
Both artists use softer parts of their voices rather than turning the song into a vocal competition.
NME praised the collaboration for its bolero influence and the natural quality of the vocal performances. (NME)
This is a beautiful example of what Monét is trying to achieve on the album.
She is connecting modern R&B with older musical traditions.
8. Juicy
“Juicy” brings funk back into the album.
It has more physical energy.
The song feels playful.
This is the side of Victoria Monét that fans of Jaguar II may recognize immediately.
But the production is not simply a repeat of her earlier work.
It fits the broader Frequency Of Love concept.
Love can be sensual.
It can be funny.
It can be physical.
It does not always need to be serious.
9. Lose Myself featuring Chlöe
The Chlöe collaboration moves further toward house music.
“Lose Myself” is sleek and danceable.
This is one of the songs that proves Monét does not see R&B as a prison.
She can use the emotional writing associated with R&B while placing it over a dance beat.
Chlöe’s appearance also works well because her vocal style can match the song’s energy.
NME highlighted the song as an example of Monét’s willingness to move outside the traditional boundaries of contemporary R&B. (NME)
10. Maybe featuring Lucky Daye
Lucky Daye is another artist who fits naturally into Monét’s musical world.
“Maybe” explores uncertainty.
That word is important.
Relationships are often filled with “maybe.”
Maybe it will work.
Maybe it will not.
Maybe the person feels the same.
Maybe they do not.
Maybe you should stay.
Maybe you should leave.
The song turns that uncertainty into a smooth R&B experience.
11. Care For Somebody (Interlude)
The album contains several interludes.
They are important because the project is designed as a complete experience rather than simply 22 unrelated songs.
“Care For Somebody” slows things down.
The song explores the basic human need to care for another person.
Apple Music notes that the interlude draws inspiration from the classic song “Somebody.” (Apple Music – Web Player)
This is part of the album’s larger conversation with music history.
12. Dark Side Of The Moon (Interlude)
This interlude changes the atmosphere.
The space imagery makes the album feel more dreamlike.
Love is sometimes described as something that can transport people.
The moon becomes a metaphor for distance.
You can see someone from far away.
You can feel connected while still being physically separated.
That idea fits the emotional world of Frequency Of Love.
The Album’s 1990s and 2000s Influence
One of the most obvious features of Frequency Of Love is its respect for older R&B.
Monét does not hide those influences.
She brings them forward.
The album references music associated with artists including Brandy, Dru Hill, Kenny Lattimore and Ashford & Simpson. (NME)
This is important because contemporary R&B often exists in conversation with its history.
Victoria Monét understands that.
She is not trying to pretend that her music came from nowhere.
Instead, she shows where some of her musical ideas come from.
Brandy’s Influence
One example is the connection to Brandy’s “Almost Doesn’t Count.”
Monét’s use of this material shows respect for one of R&B’s important voices.
But there is a risk.
When an artist references older music too closely, the new song can sometimes feel like a tribute rather than an original work.
That is one of the criticisms that has appeared in early reviews of Frequency Of Love.
NME argued that Monét can occasionally become too close to her influences rather than pushing completely beyond them. (NME)
That is a fair criticism.
Still, most of the time, she uses those references creatively.
The Album’s Gospel Influence
Gospel is another important part of the project.
This makes sense because gospel music is deeply connected to ideas of love, faith, community and devotion.
Monét sometimes uses choir-like textures to make the music feel bigger.
This prevents the album from becoming entirely focused on romance.
Love becomes something spiritual.
That is one of the album’s more ambitious ideas.
Motherhood and Family
One of the strongest aspects of Frequency Of Love is its attention to family.
Monét is not only writing about romantic partners.
Her daughter Hazel appears on the album.
That changes the emotional perspective.
A mother and child’s relationship is different from romantic love.
It can be protective.
It can be permanent.
It can also involve responsibility.
This gives the album a wider definition of love.
Self-Love
Self-love is another important theme.
There is a difference between wanting someone and losing yourself trying to keep them.
Monét understands that difference.
Some songs present love as something beautiful.
Others suggest that love must exist alongside self-respect.
That makes the album more mature.
Sexuality and Desire
Victoria Monét has never been afraid of sensual songwriting.
Frequency Of Love continues that tradition.
But sexuality is not the entire identity of the project.
There is a balance.
Some songs are playful.
Some are romantic.
Some are emotional.
Some are spiritual.
This balance keeps the album from becoming one-dimensional.
Why Reach Out Works
“Reach Out” is one of the album’s most effective songs because it connects message and production.
The title is an instruction.
Reach out.
Contact someone.
Take a chance.
Say what you feel.
The dance production turns that emotional idea into movement.
It is almost impossible to sit completely still while listening to a good house-influenced record.
That makes the song a smart addition to the album.
Why See You In My Dreams Works
“See You In My Dreams” is emotionally stronger because it focuses on lost love.
The album spends a lot of time celebrating love.
This song reminds us that love can also hurt.
Sometimes the relationship ends.
But the memory does not.
Dreams become the place where the relationship continues.
That is a universal experience.
Why That’s Why I Love You Works
The Bruno Mars collaboration works because it sounds timeless.
It does not depend completely on modern production trends.
The older influence gives the song a classic romantic feeling.
This is probably one of the songs that could age well.
Why Lose Myself Works
“Lose Myself” proves that Monét can move into dance music without losing her identity.
That is important.
Genre experimentation only works when the artist still sounds like themselves.
Monét manages that here.
The Production
The production is one of the album’s strongest qualities.
The project has a large team of producers and writers.
But the sound remains connected.
That is difficult to achieve with a 22-track album.
Too many producers can create a fragmented project.
Monét avoids that problem more successfully than expected.
The common thread is warmth.
Even when the production becomes electronic, it still feels emotional.
Is Frequency Of Love Too Long?
This is one of the biggest questions surrounding the album.
22 tracks is a lot.
There is no need to pretend otherwise.
Some listeners will enjoy the length.
Others will feel that the album could have been shorter.
Early critical reaction has also pointed to the album’s length as one of its weaknesses. Billboard described it as slightly overlong even while praising its ambition. (KhanList)
Personally, I think the length makes more sense when the album is heard from beginning to end.
The interludes help.
The sequencing helps.
But there are still songs that some listeners may remove from their personal playlists.
Is Frequency Of Love Better Than Jaguar II?
That is difficult to answer.
Jaguar II was a breakthrough.
It had a very clear identity.
Frequency Of Love is more ambitious.
It tries more things.
That does not automatically make it better.
Jaguar II may remain the more focused project.
But Frequency Of Love demonstrates growth.
It shows an artist who does not want to remain in exactly the same place.
Best Songs on Frequency Of Love
My early shortlist would include:
1. See You In My Dreams
The SZA collaboration is emotionally rich.
2. That’s Why I Love You
The Bruno Mars duet has classic romantic appeal.
3. Reach Out
A strong dance/R&B crossover.
4. Let Me
A beautiful slow song that fits the album better than it did as a standalone single.
5. Lose Myself
A stylish move into house music.
6. Juicy
A fun, sensual and funky moment.
Strongest Feature
The strongest feature may be SZA.
That is not because the other guests are weak.
Bruno Mars is excellent.
Chlöe fits her song.
Bryson Tiller fits the contemporary R&B side.
Lucky Daye makes sense musically.
But SZA brings a special emotional quality to “See You In My Dreams.”
The song feels like two artists meeting in the middle.
Best Vocal Performance
Victoria Monét’s best performances are not necessarily the songs with the biggest notes.
Her strength is emotional control.
She knows when to become soft.
She knows when to become playful.
She knows when to sound sensual.
She knows when to let another artist take the spotlight.
That control makes the album feel mature.
Strengths of Frequency Of Love
Strong concept
The title and subject matter connect the entire album.
Excellent collaborations
The guest list is impressive without feeling completely random.
Musical variety
The project moves between R&B, soul, house, gospel, funk and other styles.
Strong vocal performances
Monét remains one of the strongest contemporary R&B vocalists.
Respect for musical history
The references to older R&B and soul make the album richer.
Weaknesses of Frequency Of Love
It is long
Twenty-two tracks can be difficult to absorb in one sitting.
Some influences are very obvious
At times, the tribute to older music becomes so clear that Monét’s own identity can become less dominant.
Not every track has equal impact
The strongest songs are excellent, but some others feel more like album glue.
Overall Rating
Victoria Monét – Frequency Of Love: 8.5/10
Songwriting: 8.5/10
Vocals: 9/10
Production: 8.5/10
Features: 9/10
Concept: 9/10
Replay value: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Final Verdict
Victoria Monét’s Frequency Of Love (2026) is a beautiful, ambitious and emotionally open R&B album.
Its biggest achievement is its understanding of love.
Love is not presented as one thing.
It is romance.
It is desire.
It is family.
It is motherhood.
It is memory.
It is self-respect.
It is healing.
It is attraction.
It is heartbreak.
It is faith.
It is community.
That is why the title Frequency Of Love works so well.
The album also shows Victoria Monét growing beyond the sound that made Jaguar II successful.
She still knows how to make sensual R&B.
She still knows how to write strong melodies.
But now she is willing to experiment with house music, gospel, older soul sounds and classic R&B.
The collaborations are another major strength.
SZA provides one of the project’s strongest emotional moments.
Bruno Mars brings timeless romantic energy.
Chlöe helps push the album toward dance music.
Bryson Tiller adds contemporary R&B texture.
Lucky Daye fits naturally into the project’s smooth atmosphere.
And the appearance of Hazel Monét adds a deeply personal family dimension.
The biggest problem is the length.
Twenty-two tracks require commitment.
Some listeners will probably create a shorter personal version of the album.
That does not mean the project fails.
In fact, the length reflects the album’s ambition.
Monét wants to show many forms of love rather than reducing everything to one romantic story.
Early reviews have generally recognized that ambition while noting that some of the album’s musical references can occasionally come too close to its inspirations. (NME)
Still, Frequency Of Love is a strong second album.
It confirms that Victoria Monét is not simply the artist who made “On My Mama.”
She is developing into a complete album artist with a strong understanding of R&B history and a willingness to experiment with the future.
Final score: 8.5/10.
For fans of modern R&B, soulful vocals, romantic songwriting and carefully produced albums, Frequency Of Love is well worth hearing from beginning to end.
Listen to the album: Victoria Monét – Frequency Of Love on Apple Music
Official release information: Sony Music Canada – Frequency Of Love announcement