Step forward (M)

## Alternate Covers

* Gold Edition
* Target Edition

### Producer(s)

Max Martin · Oscar Holton · Kevin Parker · Tommy Brown · Metro Boomin · Kiara · Michelle · MORE

## Singles from *step forward*

1.  **pinky promise**   *Released: June 4, 2018*   2.  **not so lonely**   *Released: November 12, 2018*

"**step forward**" (stylized in all lowercase) is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Monica Lacroix, released on November 12, 2018 through Universal & Republic Records. Primarily written by Lacroix, it features a variety of new producers and returning producers including Max Martin and Oscar Holton. The album features three artist who are all new collaborators with Lacroix being Dua Lipa, Normani & Post Malone.

Thematically, step forward explores Monica's pain through the four years choosing not to focus on music as she wanted to spend time with her father but unfortunately couldn't be due to the music industry alongside it focuses on cherishing the time you have with others, sorrow, and features a bit of heartbreak due to her highly profiled breakup in the year with former actor Atticus Mitchell. The album also features 2 tracks that center on the sexual healing side of Lacroix following the cheating allegations with Atticus and that it took loving herself like never before to move on from the hurt and sorrow. The album touches on longing for someone and as it comes to a close, it states that while you cannot turn back time you can cherish the time you have in the present with those around you as you only have the present and the future hence the naming of the album, to step forward from your troubles and past and to look forward for the brighter things in life. Overall, it is one of Monica's most cohesive albums to date and one of her most cohesive releases.

In February of 2018, Monica reportedly released a teaser at a song titled *pinky promise* which would be released on June 4, 2018 and topped all major charts setting multiple records for first week accomplishments. It would be her first release in the music industry after a four-year hiatus. Following the success of pinky promise, the artist would release her second and lead single from the album *not so lonely* which features the artist bearing her soul in the lyrics with production similar to that of Ariana Grande's *everytime* off of her fourth studio album *Sweetener (2018)*. Both singles from the album were critically acclaimed setting numerous records for the artist. not so lonely was certified Diamond at the end of February in 2019 for selling over 10 million confirmed equivalent units in the United States becoming her first Diamond certification in nearly 5 years.

At the 2020 Grammy Awards event, Monica would be awarded the following awards for the album being Best Pop Vocal Album, Album Of The Year and Best Engineered Album.

## Background

Following the death of her father, Lacroix took a four-year break from the music industry. In late 2015, she made her return to the media entertainment world and in 2016 she re-appeared on Keeping Up With The Russels. The show featured Monica's relationship, her handling the passing of her father, and just about her break from the industry. Monica was seen recording here and there in the show, but many were unsure of what to make of it. Reportedly, the lead track released "not so lonely" features her tears when she heard her father's passing back in 2014.

## Development

Originally, Monica had no intentions of making an upcoming album or any music having lost the passion without the support and care of her father. Kanye West, (Kim Russel's husband) reportedly made a bet with the artist to return and make music as her fans were begging on social media throughout the show as it was showcased. Having won the bet, Monica kept her end of the deal and proceeded to record and make an album.

Revealed in a 2018 exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, Monica stated she enlisted the aid of Kanye West, Elton John and Max Martin as the main writers on the album. With this album, she would take a turn in the producers she wanted to utilize and chose to reach out to more producers than ever before to create something magical and worthwhile to make up for the two years gone from the industry. Having remained in the public eye for the time being and her popularity only growing since then, her social connections to various artists never diminished but more than likely grew. Sarah Hudson, previous songwriter who helped with the hit Dark Horse by Katy Perry was enlisted in the writing process too.

Monica chose the album title for the fact it was a step forward in her artistry and as the album displayed, it featured the problems the media blew up throughout her time in the industry. Her break-up and heavily documented relationship with Atticus Mitchell, her father's passing, subsequent rumors of plastic surgery and social media trying to paint her as a lost woman. The album focused primarily on finding hope in hopeless situations accompanied with hearty songs on breakup. In the track titled 'to u all', Monica reportedly thanks her fans throughout the song's duration sending all the love to her supporters and fans for supporting her while she was gone and welcoming new ones and proclaiming she has found the passion in music again. Monica revealed on Twitter that her album would feature 11 tracks that all felt meant for the album. She had Kanye West serve as the executive producer over what would fit and what would not.

## Cover art & physical exclusives

The cover art features Monica in a pink catsuit revealing her torso and arms and legs. It is combined with pink fishnet over to censor and cover her body. Lacroix poses on the cover, hugging her chest with the title "step forward" being placed on the corner. It is the standard cover for the album on digital and physicals while on vinyl editions and the gold edition of the album, it is accompanied with the artist posing in the same outfit except with a pink fishnet mask. The cover comes with a holographic texture plated onto it with the album's title being in 3D and heartfelt. All albums come with standard photocards, and a poster while the gold version comes with stickers and two formats of the vinyl. All formats come with an additional CD. Fans ordering can choose between the CD Disc only, Vinyl only, full album, or gold version.

Target would exclusively sell an additional version of the album in 2019 beginning in March following the Diamond announcement of not so lonely. The artwork of the exclusive album would feature an unreleased picture from the photoshoot for pinky promise, with the album stock being listed at 1,000. It is collector's dream. It features the demo versions of different takes of pinky promise, and not so lonely with 5 exclusive albums containing a disc only track exclusive to that respective album.

## Critical Reception

 Source
 Source
 RollingStone.com

The album was raved across the world by critics alike proclaiming this as Monica's best album to date, with cohesive replay ability and a masterpiece of production. Monica's lyrics were heavily praised by RollingStone.com proclaiming it as one of the best albums released in the decade. People's music critic gave the album 5 stars citing it as a grand comeback album from one of the biggest draws today in music. Billboard rated the album 4 out of 5 stars saying it was the return of the decade for such a star in Monica's prowess. Various other outlets reviewed the album citing it's cohesive and honest interpretations.

Many fans in the day following the release praised heavily the artist for listening to their requests and adding Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande's track that was recorded in 2013 to 2014 titled Girls to the album. Initially the song was meant for her deluxe edition of The Emancipation of Monica but was later scrapped.

Metacritic rated the song a 97% out of 100 citing it as easily one of Monica's most cohesive albums to date. Various celebrities have shared the news and welcomed back the artist with open arms.

## Commercial performance

The album debuted side by side with the lead track not so lonely at #1 across every chart in the world. Fans saw this as the artists comeback and as such it became her first number one album across all charts. It was also the first time her lead single debuted at #1 on the US Hot 100. The album would become Monica's overall 2nd US Billboard 200 number one, her second Gaon number one from Asia, accompanied with the fact the album was raved about everywhere.

The album sold nearly 2 million units in it's opening week, debuting #1 across every chart. It was the most consumed album this year and played a huge part in Monicas Spotify listeners upping by 10 million.

Monica would promote the album on her 2018-19 world tour *The EverGrowing Show Of Monica*, the second world tour for the artist.

In February of 2019, the album was confirmed to have sold over 6 million equivalent units worldwide.

As of January 20, 2020 the album has sold over 9.5 million equivalent units worldwide.

Monica would release unreleased shots and snapchat memories taken from the photoshoot for the album in its two-year anniversary celebrating 10 million sales on the album as well. She would label the album one of her best projects in the world much to her fans agreeing with her that they loved her energy and power throughout the era.