MUSIC

Lil Nas X Drops Debut Album ‘Montero’ and It’s Better Than We Imagined

After months of waiting, Lil Nas X released his debut album, Montero, on Friday, and fans are already obsessed. The album - whose title is actually the singer's real name - was announced in 2019. Single releases leading up to the drop include "Industry Baby" and "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)." If those successes are any indication for the rest of the album, we are in for a treat.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

After months of waiting, Lil Nas X released his debut album, Montero, on Friday, and fans are already obsessed. The album – whose title is actually the singer’s real name – was announced in 2019. Single releases leading up to the drop include “Industry Baby” and “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).” If those successes are any indication for the rest of the album, we are in for a treat.

Montero features themes of self-love, homophobia, and mental health. The 22-year-old singer pours his heart into songs like “Void” and “Dead Right Now.” As Lil Nas himself explains, we get a glimpse into his mind as an artist and person.

“Oh, I weep through the night/Can’t find a love who loves me the same/Or as much as you do,” Lil Nas sings in “Void.”

In an interview with NPR, Lil Nas opened up about his inspirations when creating Montero. He mentioned names like Drake and Kanye, who write about things "happening internally."
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

In an interview with NPR, Lil Nas opened up about his inspirations when creating Montero. He mentioned names like Drake and Kanye, who write about things “happening internally.”

“They’re letting you get a peek into their life, [which] humanizes them,” Lil Nas told NPR. “People a lot of the time see celebrities or anyone famous as just… a being existing.”

We already know that rapper Jack Harlow is featured on the track “Industry Baby.” But Montero also features big names, including Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, and Miley Cyrus. In addition, Ryan Tedder (Coldplay) helped to write “That’s What I Want.” Like the other songs on the album, the track bends genres mixing pop and hip hop.

Fans are perhaps the most excited for the album drop (besides Lil Nas himself). They’ve spent many months counting down until the release and watching Lil Nas perform released singles at every music awards show.

Not only does Montero feature 15 singles, but there is a music video to accompany each one. From apocalyptic worlds to dreamy landscapes, the singer creates a world entirely for himself and his fans.

Montero is already at no. 2 on the charts and will definitely be played on repeat all weekend. Fans find the album streaming everywhere today.
Jeff Kravitz/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

Montero is already at no. 2 on the charts and will definitely be played on repeat all weekend. Fans find the album streaming everywhere today.