R&B singer and star songwriter Victoria Monét recently released her latest single, “Coastin,” produced by the hitmaking team the Stereotypes. Interpolating Keni Burke’s “Risin’ to the Top,” which was also famously sampled by the Mary Jane Girls in “All Night Long,” the song rides a laid-back funky groove for a mellow vibe.
Monét has an extensive career as a songwriter, having helped pen numerous hits for other artists over the past decade, including “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings” for Ariana Grande, “Do It” for Fifth Harmony, and “You Wouldn’t Understand” for Nas. Last year, she contributed to BLACKPINK and Serena Gomez’s hit “Ice Cream,” Chloe x Halle’s “Do It,” and Grande’s “34+35” remix with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion.
Her most recent project, 2020’s JAGUAR, topped the iTunes charts in 66 countries and garnered praise from numerous major outlets. It also led to her late-night debut with her performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. She followed it up with the single “F.U.C.K.”
“Coastin’” is driven by Monét’s highly capable voice–smooth and silky, strong enough to command the song but never overpowering–and a tremendous number of hooks. Although the song’s construction is relatively simple–it rides a single groove built around a short bass sample–Monét delivers catchy melody after melody, blending verse into chorus and back again with a series of infectious earworms. There are so many memorable one-off lines that the chorus is almost an afterthought.
The song’s orientation is focused and direct; in only a handful of lines, Monét moves from first introductions to daydreaming of sex. According to Monét, “if sunshine and a good time (and maybe a lil drank) were a song, it would be ‘Coastin’’! It’s made for people with that good, chill energy and the bassline instantly puts you in a certain feel!”
“Coastin’” is available now on streaming services.
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