Album Review: Machel Montano’s Encore Is Carnival 2026’s Defining Soundtrack
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When Machel Montano drops an album at the height of Carnival season, it’s never just a release—it’s a strategic cultural takeover. Arriving February 6, 2026, via Monk Music, Encore is timed with surgical precision for the fever pitch of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival. But make no mistake: this isn’t just about Road March glory. This is legacy work.
Montano has spent decades redefining soca’s global footprint, and with Encore, he doesn’t just revisit the formula — he sharpens it.
Built for the Road. Engineered for Impact.
From the explosive opener “Compromise” (feat. Tano) to the riot-inducing “Pull D Pin” featuring Skinny Fabulous, LIL NATTY & THUNDA, the album wastes no time. The production — helmed by heavyweights like Travis World and DJ Private Ryan — blends traditional power soca drums with electronic textures and stadium-sized drops.
“Pull D Pin” feels tailor-made for J’ouvert madness: horns blaring, bassline pounding, bodies moving like a synchronized wave of paint and powder. It’s organized chaos — the kind that wins Road March titles.
Then there’s “Move Out D Way.” Aggressive, unapologetic, and commanding, it sounds like Montano clearing a path through Port of Spain’s crowded streets. If Carnival had a soundtrack for dominance, this would be it.
Collaboration as Celebration
One of Encore’s greatest strengths is its collaborative spirit. Montano doesn’t just feature artists — he spotlights them.
Voice brings melodic finesse on “Bam Bam.”
Nailah Blackman shines on “Elevate,” delivering a sleek, modern soca energy.
The legendary Super Blue appears on “Carnival Birthday,” bridging generations in a celebratory anthem that honors soca’s roots.
“Dancing in the Streets” with Mela Caribe and DJ Private Ryan feels export-ready — Caribbean pride wrapped in global appeal.
This tracklist reads like a Carnival summit meeting. Veterans. Hitmakers. Rising stars. All under Montano’s banner.
The Road March Contender: “Encore”
The title track is the centerpiece. It’s grand, theatrical, and built with dramatic pauses that practically beg masqueraders to scream the chorus in unison.
There’s something poetic about the name. After decades in the game, Montano is still demanding — and receiving — an encore. But this time, it feels symbolic. A reminder that he’s not simply participating in Carnival; he’s shaping it.
The inclusion of the “Stage Mix” version proves Montano understands modern soca consumption — DJs, trucks, fetes, and live arenas all require different energies. He delivers both.
Beyond the Album: The Bigger Picture
Just days after the album’s release, Montano dropped his documentary, Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King. Together, the projects feel intentional — music and narrative reinforcing the brand of a man who has transformed soca into an international business model.
This isn’t just Carnival music. This is empire-building.
Overall
Encore is not a reinvention — it’s refinement. Montano leans into what he does best: high-octane anthems, crowd-commanding hooks, and collaborations that amplify soca’s future.
Will it dominate the 2026 Road March race? The odds are strong.
Will it define the season? Almost certainly.
With Encore, Machel Montano reminds us why he remains soca’s most enduring icon. Carnival may crown kings annually — but legacies are built over decades. And Montano’s is still growing.
Rating: 4.7/5 – A commanding, road-ready triumph.
By Dante Jackson, Entertainment Editor