[REVIEW] Sweetener: Ariana Grande's Latest Album | @ArianaGrande

Review:
Sweetener: Ariana Grande's Latest Album

Listen. Listen, Linda, listen! ha ha! Omg! I'm so stoked right now! Sorry it's taken me so long to get another review out but there's been SO much to review & I promise I am going to get to it all. I promise. But...I have to give you guys the scoop on Ari's latest masterpiece, because that's exactly what it is: a freaking masterpiece. The adlibs. The lyrics. The features from Pharrell & Missy & Nicki & ...just everything about this album screams SWEEEEEEEET!

I absolutely love it. This post will give you my points on what I like/dislike about the album.

Raindrops...Ariana actually talked about how this became the intro for this album on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. I'll just let you watch that video because she tells it waaaay better than I could ever explain it: 
(*ff to 2:04 to hear how it became the finishing touch to an already amazing album*)
Okay, so now that you know the details behind Raindrops (An Angel Cried), I just want to add that I love she did it a cappella. Most artists always try to make a show out of everything...there's no realness because they're always behind music. I love this intro. Probably one of my favorite album intros of 2018 to date. 

Blazed...this is the song I cannot get enough of and features Pharrell Williams. Anyone who knows about music is familiar with Pharrell, he needs no introduction. The fact he assisted in the production of this album made me want to review it even more. This song is up tempo, dance + electronica...the overall sound is hypnotic. I love this track. Preview it for yourself below.

The Light is Coming...Another up-tempo beat with shady lyrics: "...what did she say, what did he say, you don't listen cause you know everything...". I love she brought her bestie, Nicki Minaj, back for another feature. If you remember her last two albums had features from Minaj as well. It's becoming almost inevitable for her NOT to be a feature on one of Ari's albums and vice versa. But this song was just 'okay' for me. I didn't not like it, but I'm not exactly its biggest fan either. It's not the song itself, like the lyrics, but more or less the production. I didn't care for the overall sound. The message was deep though. You can preview it below & leave me a comment with your thoughts on it.

Moving right along, R.E.M...the 90s Mariah Carey vibe is prominent in this song. It's no secret Ari was dubbed the heir to Carey's throne, her protege, what have you. R.E.M is a feel-good song with the sensuality and smoothness categorizing this jam as vibe music. Definitely a playlist permanent.

Next up, the Billboard shattering & internet breaking...God is a Woman...even Ari's grandmother believes this is the best song on the album. I'm not here to argue. God is a Woman is empowering and moving. And the visuals! Not to mention she performed it at the MTV VMAs. Here, I'll show you the video:
Drop me a comment or more about your thoughts on the video. It's sick. I love it.

Sweetener...title track! "...When life deals us cards/ Making everything taste like salt/ Then you come through like the sweetener you are/ To bring that bitter taste to a halt...". It's another empowerment song. The beat is uptempo and yet serene at the same time. How does she do it? Ugh, preview it below. I think you'll love it as much as I do.

Next up, Successful...this comes off as a pep talk track. She talks about herself saying, "I'm so successful", and I think everyone should have their very own pep talk track. This is one every 'successful' woman can vibe to. Definitely a keeper.

Everytime...I am in love with this song. "...I get weak and fall like a teenager/ Why oh why does God keep bringing me ... back to you/ I get drunk, pretend that I'm over it/ Self-destruct, show up like an idiot/ Why oh why does God keep bringing me...". The tempo is perfect. The lyrics are ingenious. Like every other love-hate relationship, you let go but come back 'everytime'.

Breathin...this song give me goosebumps every single time I hear it. Her vocals are so smooth. This is one of those songs that you play when you don't feel like getting out of bed. Your stressed or depressed. This song will get you through those moments. Another one of my favorites on this album.

No Tears Left to Cry...this is a song about when you're broken to the point you literally have 'no tears left to cry', but you 'pick it up' and move forward anyway. This song dropped exactly one year & one month after she returned to Manchester after the tragedy happened during her concert in 2017. I actually debuted it on the parent blog: The Underground Artistry. [read that here] You can also watch the video, if you haven't already, and read up on the Manchester attack by clicking the link herein.

Moving on...Borderline...featuring the infamous Missy Elliott, there's no logical explanation for those that do not adore this song. And not to mention, it's a Missy Elliot production! Basically speaking about someone that she wants to be with and won't stop trying to get them and she wants them to meet her at 'the borderline'...like saying, meet me halfway.

Better Off...I can't get enough of this song. Its lyrics speak about trying to block out the feelings she has for someone by telling herself she's 'better off' without him. It's real. It can be related to; she made a hit with this one. Well, another one (in my DJ Khaled voice)😂. Preview it below & tell me in the comments what you think.

Goodnight n Go..."...just say goodnight n go...". When you like someone and you're trying not to let it show, this song talks about that feeling. "...it's impossible to ignore you...it's bad enough we get along so well". I've been there. A lot of women have. So this is another one that can be related to, which is why Ariana is the star she is now.

Pete Davidson...This song is harmonic heroine. It's obvious who this song is about, her fiance. And I'm not a big fan of it, but I wouldn't skip it if it came on so it stays. I listen mainly for the harmonies. Preview it for yourself below.

Last but not least, Get Well Soon. "...that is why we talkin about it/ get talkin about it/ to deal with it/ to try to get by...". I love the message behind this song. I felt it was the perfect choice to close the album because it's telling people to 'talk about it' and get over it. It's going to be tough but it's not impossible.

This album has already broken records. Her song, No Tears Left to Cry won best pop video at the VMAs. In addition to her album breaking opening streaming records on Spotify and already hitting number 1 on the Billboard charts. She's also earned her tenth Top 10 hit and landed 10 songs on the Billboard 100 becoming the 4th woman to ever chart 10 songs in the Billboard 100 simultaneously.

Charted Titles
No. 7, No Tears Left to Cry
No. 8, God is a Woman
No. 22, Breathin (debut)
No. 55, Sweetener (debut)
No. 62, Everytime (debut)
No. 72, R.E.M (debut)
No. 87, Goodnight n Go (debut)
No. 89, The Light is Coming (ft. Nicki Minaj)
No. 91, Bed (this is an Ariana feature on Nicki's latest, Queen, album)
No. 99, Pete Davidson (debut)

And there's bound to be a shift in location within a matter of days. This album is a masterpiece.

If you look below, you can preview all the tracks on the Sweetener album. Which is your favorite? Which one can you live without? (if any) Let me know how much you like the album in general. Did she make a comeback? Or are you not impressed? I want to know in the comments.


Preview:


If you don't already, you can follow Ari on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. I hope you enjoyed the review. If you'd like to pick up your own copy of Ariana's new masterpiece, Sweetener, then you can do so from iTunes, Apple Music and Amazon.***


Have a song, album or video you'd like reviewed? 
Send the link or mp3 to undrgrndart@gmail.com & I'll be in touch with you.


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Rachel Marie


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