The Makings of Me - 'Monica' (J Records, RCA) Released 26/02/07

The Makings of Me is a very personal album that covers many aspects of Monica’s many private and professional ups and downs, at only 24 she has been in the industry a long time but for one so young she shows a lot of maturity in this record.
The album’s lead single and opening track, the Jermaine Dupri produced “Everytime Tha Beat Drop,” is definitely not typical of the rest of the album. It features Dem Franchize Boyz and is more of an upbeat song than the others.

“A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me),” produced by Missy Elliot, is more laid-back and dreamy and features a Curtis Mayfield sample.

The following song, “Sideline Ho” is a bit more up tempo and deals with being cheated on, it has hard hitting lyrics like “It don’t matter if he spends the night, his home’s somewhere else… if you don’t make his breakfast, you’s a Sideline Ho!” Another song where Monica is wondering why her man has cheated on her is “Why Her?”.

But there are a few songs about men she really loves, like the ballad “My Everything” and “Doin’ Me Right”.

This album has many well written songs and good production.  Monica is a great singer but at times it would do her a lot of favours to simply let go and really put some more guts into her songs to give them more impact.