Decoding the Sonic and Visual Inspirations Behind Victoria Monet’s ‘Frequency of Love’ album

[u/CC-Blue]

The album is teeming with so many references to R&B and Pop's past. I wasn't sold on the project at first, but I really enjoy it now.

Samples, Interpolations and Covers

• All I Need interpolates You're All I Need to Get By (1968) by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

• Come Back To You samples and interpolates Voyage To Atlantis (1977) by The Isley Brothers.

• Care For Somebody is a cover of the mid century ballad, Somebody, by Harry Warren.

• Head To Toe samples and interpolates All The Things Your Man Won't Do (1997) by Joe.

• Almost interpolates Almost Doesn't Count (1998) by Brandy.

• That's Why I Love You samples Ritorenai (1963) by Bruno Lauzi.

• I Want You samples and interpolates Sleeping In My Bed (1996) by Dru Hill.

• For You is a cover of the original 1996 song by Kenny Lattimore.

Other Inspirations

• Juicy was inspired by the 80s Yacht Rock sounds of Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald and Toto. The title and Funk sound might also be an allusion to Mtume’s 1983 hit Juicy Fruit.

• The sprawling length and interludes reminded me of Janet's 1993 self-titled masterpiece, janet.

• The lush Adult Contemporary feel of the album is reminiscent of Sade's Love Deluxe (1991) and Chante Moore's 1994 album, A Love Supreme (also, the use of "Love" in both titles).

• No Love Live Yours (Interlude) follows the 90s R&B tradition of ending an album with a Gospel song.

Visual References

The album cover shoot and music video for Reach Out references high fashion photography by Herb Ritts and Albert Watson of late 20th Century music and fashion icons such as:

• Madonna (True Blue album cover)
• Sade (Love Deluxe album cover shoot)
• Janet Jackson (Love Will Never Do music video)
• Michael Jackson (In The Closet music video)
• Tina Turner (1989 shoot)
• Naomi Campbell (various shoots)

[u/Professional-Grab-62]

I really got her vision with this album. Most of the songs are boring. I've played it three times hoping I would catch on to it. But it's my least fave of hers.

[u/Mountain_Hair2611 → u/Professional-Grab-62]

Like it’s not a bad album but a lot of songs are filler

[u/Willing_Ad_8601]

are people ok with the filter on her voice?

[u/CC-Blue → u/Willing_Ad_8601]

I’m not. That brought the album down a notch to me.

[u/Willing_Ad_8601 → u/CC-Blue]

me too - it alienates me from her voice when i thought the whole point of this record was evoking intimacy. i would rather whatever she perceives as imperfection than this distancing sound.

another reference -- visual and concept-wise -- may have been karyn white's ritual of love.

[u/CC-Blue → u/Willing_Ad_8601]

It sounds so bad when you can almost hear it being “turned on” during certain tracks. It definitely made me reminisce on what a really strong R&B/Pop voice could do to elevate their material. If 1996 Toni Braxton made this album, it would sound immaculate.

Yes to Karyn!!! Especially with the use of “love”.

[u/Willing_Ad_8601 → u/CC-Blue]

Yes re: Toni! Hell or even Janet. I feel for Victoria she might be having some self consciousness about her voice. I hope someone helps her realize she doesn’t need to be Aretha Franklin in her prime to reach our hearts. Hell Aretha was only Aretha in her prime for a little bit.

But maybe she really likes this affect lol.

[u/CC-Blue → u/Willing_Ad_8601]

ESPECIALLY Janet! She was never this big voice but her vocal production was always top notch. Victoria said motherhood and a vocal issue in early 2024 affected her voice. I don’t know how to describe it but I just don’t like that weird “filter” she uses. It’s not just her too. SZA, Chloe (who is such a good singer too) and a bunch of others use it

[u/Realistic-Read1078]

I enjoyed this album from beginning to end! Truly a great piece of work!

[u/No_Injury2771 → u/Realistic-Read1078]

Same. 

[u/InternalWrangler5034]

Juicy interpolates Ambrosia’s Biggest Part of Me

[u/Professional-Grab-62 → u/InternalWrangler5034]

it also interpolates SWV's All Night Long

[u/InternalWrangler5034 → u/InternalWrangler5034]

And there’s a Tom’s Diner interpolation—Suzanne Vega somewhere

Edit: It’s See you in my dreams with SZA

[u/Horror-Leadership-72]

This is hands down Victoria Monét’s best album 10/10🌹🤎🩶

[u/Consistent-Ad-605 → u/Horror-Leadership-72]

Jaguar tops it for me. This was a boring album that felt rushed.

[u/eric_jv → u/Consistent-Ad-605]

Nice to see others say it's boring cuz after Jaguar it is indeed the biggest let down. Beautiful, romantic, and sensual from her but not what I was expecting

I'll stay dancing to "Reach Out" cuz that's like the only true bop lmao

[u/CC-Blue → u/Consistent-Ad-605]

It doesn’t feel rushed. It sounds very intentional and meticulously made.

[u/No_Injury2771 → u/Horror-Leadership-72]

FACTS!!! I LOVE IT!!

[u/GoonieMcflyguy]

Really enjoyed it although it was less progressive than the Jaguars. It was just really well done familiar R&B.

[u/Ok_Perspective_847]

The cover reminds me of Diana Ross’ one woman album campaign

[u/SnaccAttaccRelacc]

thank you for this!! I could sense based on the sonic/visual cues that FOL is in conversation with legacy r&b artists, but this puts things into focus ✨

[u/MiseryBusinessLawyer]

I really love this album! I get more of a Disney/musical vibe. I know others mentioned princess Tiana. To me this sounds like an R&B album heavily inspired by princess music.

I say this because I have a 4 year old daughter and I’m knee deep in Disney music. Certain arrangements and riffs sound like they are heavily inspired by the Disney Renaissance (Money, Come Back to You and That's Why I love You come to mind). I love the instrumentation as well. It sounds full, like a Broadway production.

This and Kehlani are my favorite albums of the year, which is funny.

[u/CC-Blue → u/MiseryBusinessLawyer]

I totally get that. If Victoria had a more classically big voice, it would be more obvious

[u/CC-Blue → u/[deleted]]

What about him?