Poetry soaked in jazz

Aja Monet is an artist who has slowly carved out her own lane through a blend of spoken word, jazz, soul and hip-hop influences. Rather than focusing on catchy hooks or massive choruses, Monet’s music centers itself around atmosphere and writing, allowing her poetry to become the focal point of every track. On the color of rain, Monet continues that approach, and the result is a deeply personal and emotionally rich record.

Sonically, the project leans heavily into live jazz instrumentation. Soft piano chords, warm basslines and calmer percussion combine to create an atmospheric soundscape. The instrumentals rarely explode into anything massive, but this allows Monet to provide beautiful writing that guides listeners through each song. There is a smoothness in the production that makes the album flow naturally from track to track, almost feeling like one continuous performance. At times, some of the songs blend together due to the restrained production style, but this is clearly intentional. Examining the record as a whole, it becomes clear that Monet is not simply releasing an album, but crafting an experience.

The writing is easily the strongest aspect of the project. Monet tackles themes of Black identity, womanhood, love and grief with lyricism that feels deeply personal without becoming inaccessible. Her poetry is packed with vivid imagery and emotional detail, but her delivery is what truly gives the words power. One of the best moments on the album comes on “elsewhere,” where Monet reflects on emotional exhaustion and intimacy over a stripped-back jazzy instrumental. The vulnerability in her voice combined with the beautiful writing makes for one of the most impactful tracks on the project, as Monet weaves her words seamlessly into the production.

Throughout the album, Monet balances political commentary with personal reflection in a way that feels natural rather than forced, allowing the project to become thoughtful and emotionally heavy. Every song succeeds because of its sincerity. In addition, Monet creates her own language at times, discussing “withness,” a sense of unity where people understand and embrace one another because there is nothing else to do. The production remains cohesive and the writing consistently leaves an impact, making the album feel fully realized from beginning to end. By the conclusion of the project, listeners are likely to leave stunned.

All in all, Monet delivers a beautiful fusion of poetry and music that feels both intimate and powerful. With gorgeous jazz-inspired production and excellent writing, the color of rain stands as one of the more compelling spoken word releases in recent years.