A Polished but Soul-Deficient Foray into Neo-Soul

Released: March 13th 2026

In a move that caught nearly everyone off guard, Jack Harlow decided to take a hiatus from his usual hip-hop/pop-infused norm to drop an R&B-leaning, borderline neo-soul-reminiscent album aptly titled Monica. Beyond the initial social media hoopla centered around funny nicknames and “interesting” soundbites arising from the rollout, the question remains: is the music actually good? In my opinion, while all the ingredients for a solid project are present—the beats, the lyrics, and the high-end production—there is a missing soulful element that holds the project back.

The album opens with the lead single “Trade Places,” which stands as the highlight for most. It is easily the most buoyant and upbeat track on the project, channeling an early Daniel Caesar vibe, albeit without the same soulful melody. This leads to my primary criticism: while Harlow’s crooning is sufficient, it fails to elevate the majority of the project beyond being just “aight.”

A more effective approach might have been the “Wale formula”—rapping over soulful production with occasional crooning—or perhaps a more collaborative effort featuring seasoned vocalists to assist while Harlow sticks to his strengths as a rapper. We get a glimpse of this on “Move Along” with James Savage, which glides into “All My Friends.” The latter makes a strong case for the second-best song on the album and feels like the most logical choice for a follow-up single. However, that remains the only feature on the album, which feels like a miscalculation.

While I understand the conceptual nature of this release, it would have benefited from a more balanced plate of singing and rapping. A more varied “diet” of uptempo joints could have also fleshed out the project, which feels a bit melancholy and thin at only nine songs. As mentioned, artists like Wale simply execute this formula better.

Ultimately, despite these critiques, this is a better first venture into the subgenre than I would have expected from Harlow. I can appreciate the effort, but this feels like it should be a “one-and-done” experiment. Without genuine soulful singing, it is difficult to craft a neo-soul classic. If you have ever ordered Caribbean food from Bahama Breeze or Mexican fare from Taco Bell, you know the feeling: it works in a pinch, but it ultimately feels inauthentic.

Standout Tracks: Trade Places, Lonesome, Prague, All of My Friends

Album Rating:👑👑👑👑👑👑 (6/10)