Track Review: Victoria Monét Impresses With "F.U.C.K."

For her first musical release of 2021, Victoria Monét builds on the sonic and lyrical blueprint of her lush Jaguar project for another winner. Written and produced by Monét herself ("34+35" and "Do It") and D'Mile ("Roll Some Mo" and "Could've Been") the song flips its suggestive title into an acronym for "friend yo(u) can keep."

In many ways, "F.U.C.K." is a companion to "Moment." Like the latter, "F.U.C.K." oozes a sweet sensuality that is specific to Victoria. Her warm tone envelopes you as she weaves her lyrical innuendos and sly wordplay around expertly mixed drums and bass guitar. Monét croons, "I'm just tryna jump your bones, we don't gotta jump the broom" and "Might not be the one but I'm definitely the prototype." She expertly captures the freedom of modern-day relationships. Monét sings of a relationship that is relatively casual, but the key is refusing to label it. If you don't name it, you can't ever break up or end it. Her vocal delivery, however, underscores a quiet intention and care in the relationship that tends to go unnoticed. Furthermore, the idea of a "friend you can keep" in tandem with the instructions of "Moment" make for a nice moment of life imitating art (or is it art imitating life) as Victoria awaits the arrival of her first child. "F.U.C.K." is another impressive addition to Victoria's catalog, and the second installment of her Jaguar project can't come soon enough.

Score: 72