It’s been two years since Victoria Monét dropped off two standalone singles: the fantastic “F.U.C.K.” and the blithe “Coastin’.” And then she disappeared for a bit. Now, the three-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has tapped Grammy-winner Lucky Daye to assist her with properly ushering in the Jaguar II era by way of her new single “Smoke.”

Produced D’Mile, YogiTheProducer (Kehlani’s “Serial Lover”), Tim Suby (Victoria’s own “Moment” and “Monopoly”), “Smoke” builds on the luxurious R&B soundscapes of the Jaguar EP with a healthy dose funky bass guitar. This sensual ode to weed finds Victoria and Lucky layering lush harmonies over a sticky melody that pulls from the chugging funk of Prince. Their crisp enunciation in the hook accentuates the staccato feel of their delivery and the slight alliteration in lyrics like “Little fireworks that light up for me / In my fingertips I burn my worries.” By the time the trumpet comes in — a clear callback to the prominence of brass across the Jaguar EP — “Smoke” feels firmly entrenched in the same sonic territory as Victoria’s last project, but the subject matter shifts away from the sex-minded lyrics of songs like “Moment” and “Touch Me.” Here, lust for another person is reimagined as a lust for the world-shifting properties of weed. It’s the perfect song to roll up to; their background vocals literally waft through the track like smoke from a blunt.

Easily a standout collaboration in both of their discographies, “Smoke” finds Victoria and Lucky meeting at the sweetest intersection of their respective sounds. Hopefully, with the backing from her new partnership with RCA Records, “Smoke” can secure legitimate commercial success as Victoria continues to roll out her highly anticipated Jaguar II era.

Vote for Victoria Monét at the 2023 Bulletin Awards.

Score: 75