I
It has been almost four years since Ariana Grande dropped the romantic Positions, a dreamy tribute to her then-fiancé, Dalton Gomez. With this new album, she explores the rapid breakdown of that relationship while also navigating new love and the media scrutiny that comes with it. The first single, Yes, And?, encapsulates Grande’s perspective on rumors and intrusiveness: “Your life is yours and mine is mine/ Why are you so concerned with who I’m with?”
The delivery of the line is done with such control that its impact is not immediately noticeable. This is a technique utilized by Grande, who has a powerful voice, throughout the album. For example, she hints at cheating on the title track, which has a fluttering melody, and also pleads for forgiveness on the impressive song “We Can’t Be Friends” that has a similar sound to Robyn’s music. The latter song stands out with its strong synths and faster tempo, as the majority of the album is dominated by slower, R&B songs. These allow Grande to showcase her vocal abilities through intricate layering (as heard in “The Boy Is Mine”) and sharp, crystal-clear melodies (as in “Supernatural”). Overall, the album is refined and subtle, but also has a slight edge, as seen in the darker song “True Story”. It feels like a necessary emotional cleanse for Grande.
Source: theguardian.com
