Fans Choose Victoria Monét's 'Frequency of Love' as This Week's Favorite New Music

The first notes of Victoria Monét’s new LP, Frequency of Love, drifted through her studio in a quiet, late‑night session. The 22‑track collection had been quietly built over months, and on October 2 it finally opened its doors to the world. Within hours, a pulse‑checking poll on Billboard’s New Music Friday guide showed the album had captured 40 % of listeners’ hearts, eclipsing releases from Noah Kahan, Miranda Lambert, and even Drake. It was a clear signal that Monét’s sophomore effort was not just another drop but a cultural moment.

When the album’s title track, “You Mean the World to Me,” was released, Monét turned the spotlight to her five‑year‑old daughter, Hazel. In a heartfelt social‑media post, she thanked Hazel for her “patience, understanding and unconditional love” while the mother‑to‑be balanced school and studio work. The child’s voice is woven into the song, and Monét’s own words“I am so honored to have you as a feature on this album (you sound soooo beautiful)”show a rare glimpse of the artist’s personal life. That intimacy is a thread that runs through the entire album, where every track feels like a conversation with a close friend.

The album’s roster of collaborators reads like a who‑is‑who of contemporary R&B and pop. Leon Thomas lends his soulful baritone to “You Mean the World to Me,” while Lucky Daye, SZA, Bryson Tiller, Chlöe, and Bruno Mars each appear on different tracks. Monét’s recent tour with Mars, where she opened the Romantic Tour, gave her a platform to showcase her own voice to a wider audience. The presence of these names underscores how Monét has positioned herself at the intersection of mainstream pop and the more nuanced, genre‑blending sounds that dominate today’s charts.

The Billboard poll, launched Friday, Oct. 2, invited fans to vote for their favorite new release of the week. By Sunday’s close, Monét’s album had claimed the top spot with a decisive margin. The poll also highlighted Noah Kahan’s “Draw You Out” (29 %), Miranda Lambert’s Crisco (nearly 7 %), and Drake’s HABIBTI (FOMO) deluxe edition (almost 6 %). While the numbers show a competitive landscape, the fact that a sophomore R&B album could outpace a Drake release speaks to Monét’s growing influence and the loyalty of her fan base.

Just a week after the album’s launch, Monét announced the Frequency of Love Tour, beginning on October 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The tour will run through mid‑December, offering fans a chance to experience the album’s 22 tracks live. The timing is strategic: the tour’s kickoff aligns with the album’s release, ensuring that listeners who discovered the record through the poll can immediately see it performed in full. It also positions Monét as a touring artist who can hold her own alongside larger acts, evidence of her growing stature in the music industry.

From a cultural standpoint, Monét’s success reflects a broader shift in the music scene toward authenticity and personal storytelling. Her willingness to feature her daughter, to collaborate with a diverse roster of artists, and to open for a global superstar like Mars all point to a career built on genuine connections. The poll’s outcomefavoring an album that blends pop hooks with R&B depthsuggests listeners are craving music that feels both polished and personal.

Looking ahead, Monét’s trajectory seems poised for continued ascent. The Frequency of Love tour will test her live performance chops, while the album’s strong digital presence indicates a robust fan base ready to support future projects. As the music industry increasingly rewards authenticity, Monét’s blend of heartfelt lyricism and strategic collaborations may well set a new standard for emerging artists. Her next move will likely be to leverage this momentum into even broader collaborations, perhaps even crossing into international markets where her soulful sound can resonate with new audiences.