After a highly anticipated release, Lil Nas X finally delivered his self-titled debut album Montero on Friday September 17. Despite teasing an album back in 2019, we’ve waited almost two years to hear a complete record from the artist. 

Even with his many accolades, Lil Nas X had only released 10 songs up until this point, so his adoring fans lapped up every bit of the album teasing – from wearing a fake pregnancy belly, all the way to the hospital delivery. 

It’s this expert use of social media that’s allowed Lil Nas X to quickly find success. With 11 million Instagram followers, 7 million Twitter followers and almost 24 million TikTok followers, there’s no social media trend or scandal he can’t use to his advantage.

Lil Nas X has unabashedly and skillfully used Montero to demonstrate his eclectic style. This was a good move by the artist, appealing to a wide range of audiences with this debut album. So much so that after its Friday release, the album had already landed itself second place on the Apple Music charts.

Previously, fans had seen the 22-year old American rapper excel in country music in his most successful single Old Town Road – which was recently certified 15 times platinum, making it the most certified song in US history. But he’s also made a mark in both the pop and rap genres as well. 

Given the magnitude of Old Town Road’s success, it is surprising to note the absence of any country stylisations or sounds on Montero. Perhaps the controversy surrounding the 2019 single’s declassification as country by Billboard led the artist to stray from his country roots. After all, why stay in a genre that is unwilling to accept you?

Country or not, Lil Nas shines in this album and competently explores his artistic range.

Undeniably, the album’s first single MONTERO remains the standout. This single is vulnerable, emotional and most importantly, very catchy. Quite rightfully, it lands first in the album's tracklist. With almost 1 million listens on Spotify and the music video earning itself ‘Video of the Year’ at the VMAs, the single has undoubtedly garnered a lot of attention for Lil Nas X’s debut album. It also affirmed his status as a queer icon, openly showcasing and embracing gay sex, desire and love.

But it’s in the last track of the album, AM I DREAMING, that we get to hear Lil Nas X explore his vulnerability. Collaborating with Miley Cyrus, this song celebrates both artists’ insane vocal capabilities and is the most vocally impressive track on the album. 

The track highlights his versatility as an artist, embracing a slower song and simplicity in lyrics. Cyrus is definitely the perfect choice of a featuring artist for this song, and a nod to the success from his collaboration with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, on their successful Old Town Road remix. 

Lil Nas made no concessions on his debut album, collaborating with artists on five out of the 15 songs. Most notably, Elton John features as a pianist in ONE OF ME, a track which includes a melodic solo at its end. The track explores Lil Nas X’s struggles with expectations of him as an artist, so it’s a fitting collaboration given the pair is each noted for defying societal expectations through their work. 

But if you’re coming to Montero with the hopes of finding rap, you will be happy to know Nas gives us some of his finest. Sampling Eminem’s renowned single Mockingbird in the track DON’T WANT IT, Lil Nas X clearly nods to prominent rap influences within his music. His hip-hop background particularly shines in his verses in DOLLA SIGN SLIME, SCOOP and DEAD RIGHT NOW. Lil Nas is also supported by rappers Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion in SCOOP and DOLLA SIGN SLIME respectively; a recognition and sign of respect for his powerful, black, female peers. 

Of the two women, Doja Cat seems like the most fitting collaboration for Lil Nas X – the pair are extremely alike in terms of who they are as artists and their online personalities. SCOOP is an illustration of what Lil Nas does best, seamlessly transitioning between both his pop and rap styles within the same song. 

We also see him showcase this versatility in his latest single INDUSTRY BABY alongside Jack Harlow – a formula which was so successful it was replicated in SCOOP. Both artists shine in track six, and it could very well be the next single from the album.

Unfortunately, DOLLA SIGN SLIME just doesn’t compare to the rest of the album. It’s Megan Thee Stallion’s verse which saves the song as she brings her unwavering signature style. Perhaps it’s the monotonous chorus or unoriginal verses which make the song disappointing. Whatever it may be, the song replicates a similar tone and style to SCOOP, but less successfully. 

In a bold move, Lil Nas X has included a speaking track on the album – an inclusion usually reserved for artists with much larger discographies (think most recently Billie Eilish with Not My Responsibility on her album Happier Than Ever). THE ART OF REALIZATION, which is only 24 seconds in length, is a track filled with doubt – doubt about direction, happiness and purpose. It’s the perfect transition between the self-reflective and assured THATS WHAT I WANT and braggadocious SCOOP. 

And if you’ve been following Lil Nas X for his unashamed expression of his sexuality, then you certainly will appreciate THAT'S WHAT I WANT. Lil Nas X explores his desire for love and affection in this track – a welcome platforming of homosexual love and desire, which has largely been silenced in the music industry until recently. 

This track’s music video also did not shy away from his usual standard. Including a paid promotion for condom brand Durex and a steamy hot sex scene, Lil Nas is definitely unafraid of putting his sexuality at the forefront of his brand – something which has been celebrated by many of his peers, but equally as controversial for many of the archaic corners of society. This shamelessness has become a trademark for Lil Nas X who doesn’t appear to be affected by what anyone has to say about him. Sure, we’ve got our Sam Smith’s, Troye Sivan’s and Frank Oceans, but we’ve still got a long way to go in getting comfortable with LGBTQI+ relationships in mainstream music, and Lil Nas X is paving the way. 

The album is on track to be Lil Nas X’s most successful release yet, looking like it could top the charts within the first week of its release. He’s stuck to his unique style, which can be best described as self-assured and charismatic, and will hopefully be met with great success.