Sweetener Album Review
Sweetener is Ariana Grande’s 4th studio album that was released August 17th, 2018. Here is our review due to everyone’s requests!
Let’s start!
1. raindrops (an angel cried)
Most noticeable thing about this song so far is the huge gasp of breath Ariana takes before starting to sing. I feel like it gives a fresh authentic vibe. This song is very peaceful and I’m loving the eco effect and long notes Ariana serves. Wish the song was a bit longer because I’m a huge fan of the lack of music in this.
2. blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams)
This song from the start reminds me of something from Jason Derulo’s albums. This song has a fresh beat but for some weird reason I’m not a huge fan of it and I feel like I’m going to forget it after it ends. This song feels like it gives off a house party vibes in the early 2000′s. I’m not sure how I feel about this song. It’s R&B mixed with quirky pop and…..yeah i’m not a fan.
Shawty you can get blazed, blazzzzed
3. the light is coming (feat. Nikki Minaj)
I don’t like this song lmaooo. This song feels very rushed. It sounds like Ariana says two lines the entire time and Nikki is still rapping about the same thing. The beat is nice but this song does nothing for it to even be remembered after it’s over. I have no idea what Ariana is taking about and I feel like they threw anything together with a feat to say that Nicki and Ariana have a song together.
4. R.E.M
A very poppy and peaceful song once again given to us by Ariana. This song reminds me of a Christmas Hallmark movie which I’m not complaining about lol. The only problem I have with this song is…. there isn’t anything special about it. There aren’t any remarkable parts to it, but don’t get me wrong I do enjoy the song. I also find it very happy and bubbly (aka Christmas Hallmark movie vibes) but would I even remember this when it’s over? eh I think it could grow on me
Is this reallllllll…Bum bum bum bum bummmmmm
5. God is a woman
AHH the holy gospel of music God forgive me This song deserves more credit. It’s amazing! At first I didn’t wanna keep listening to it cause I felt kinda guilty since I am religious and I am not a fan of the analogy and I understand where she’s coming from and all….. but……I listen to it all the time. This song is THAT BITCH. Memorable parts allllllll over it YUH. She snapped with this and the live version is just as good. I can’t explain how amazing this song is.
I don’t wanna waste no time yuh…have it anyway you like yuh
And i can be all the things you told me not to be and when you come after me I keep on flourishinggggg
6. sweetener
I personally like this song lmao. I don’t understand the hate for it. Yeah it sounds like 4 different songs, yeah it sounds like a kidz bop remix, yeah it sounds like a Christmas song but for some weird reason I love it. This song gets me pumped up like I wanna twist it and mix it like Ms. Grande says. The second I heard this album, this was the song I put on repeat because it made me feel good. I was like “What is this beautiful feel good hallmark movie song?” I feel like everyone reading this will lose respect for ESMG lmaooooo. My fave part “When life deals us cards, Make everything taste like it is salt, Then you come through like the sweetener you are, To bring the bitter taste to a halt.”
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it
7. successful
Yet another song attacked by the general public. I once again personally really like this song. Everyone is complaining about how conceited Ariana sounds in this song but I don’t get that vibe. I get a very bubbly confident feel from this.
Yeah, it feels so good to be so young
And have this fun and be successful, yeah
8. everytime
This song throws me in the 2012 generic pop phase. It’s a good song but not great. It only takes the song to hit the chorus for me to be like “oh snap” then after the chorus ends I’m like “wait what is this song again?” This is one of those songs that can possibly grow on me but I don’t think I’m a huge fan of Ariana’s use of slight R&B with pop. Only in some cases I like it. Also as I am editing this review, I can’t remember how the song goes.
9. breathin
I like this song even though it also takes the build up of the chorus for me to like it. The beginning tempts me to change the song lmaoo but only like the first 4 seconds do i think “um ew..?” But I do like this song. I picture myself blasting this while driving in the cold streets of NY, on the highway at night.
Just keep breathin’ and breathin’ and breathin’ and breathin’
10. no tears left to cry
BOYYYY did this song grow on me. At first I was like “picking it up….picking it up…?” but after a few listens I was obsessed with this song for weeks. Like I said, this song + driving on a highway. I can’t describe the impact lmaoo
I adore the very high and long notes. Usually songs that have so many high notes and long notes give me a headache but this one is just amazing.
Right now, I’m in a state of mind, I wanna be in like all the time
Ain’t got no tears left to cry
11. borderline (feat. Missy Elliot)
Not gonna lie guys…I like this song but it’s a bit messy. I feel like the beat is yelling at me. I really like what Ariana is singing though lmao. Am I the only one that gets fall/winter vibes from this entire album? That’s what is saving most of these songs. The good feeling they give me lol
You know I’m the wifey type babe
12. better off
My thought right now “this was a song on the album?” lol. This song gives me no memory. I feel like when I’m listening to it i’m just like “…huh.” It’s not a bad song but it’s also a song that makes me sad. I don’t know I feel like this is a song i’d listen to just to cry.
13. goodnight n go
Did someone call for my latest obsession? This song played when I was walking home and I didn’t have the energy to change it so I didn’t and that’s when I got obsessed with it. The beginning 3 seconds tempts me to change it but after those 3 seconds that’s when I’m like “oh I do like this song.” I like the sassy flirty lyrics and beat and I love the softer notes on this track. My favorite part of the song is the long parts of say goodnight n go.
Once again reminds me of a Christmas Hallmark movie which is a plus for me.
“One of these days, You’ll miss your train and come stay with me, (It’s always say goodnight and go), We’ll have drinks and talk about things, And any excuse to stay awake with you, And you’d sleep here, and I’d sleep there, But then the heating may be down again, (At my convenience), We’d be good, we’d be great together” like yes pls
14. pete davidson
This song is so cute and bubbly. It’s like a tumblr dream. It’s so short I don’t know what else to say lmaoooo
15. get well soon
I love this song. Ariana has a nice theme of singing some parts of her songs with almost no music with them. True talent. This song is like a peaceful anthem lmaoo. I love it.
This is for everybody, Babe, you gotta take care of your body, yuh yuh
Ain’t no time to deny it, that is why we talking about it
Yeah, we talking about it, So deal with it, don’t try and get by it
Ain’t no time to deny it
So we had to sit down and just write it
Lead Single Performance
Ariana debuted with her single “No Tears Left To Cry” On the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on May 1st, 2018.
The performance starts off with her laying down with this rainbow filter on her and a very peaceful vocals starting off the song.
Ariana is already stunting with knee high boots and a very fluffy pink polka dot dress.
I love how the stage looks. It’s very confusing but doesn’t give anyone a headache. It’s very pleasing to look at as well. It’s a yes from me!
There isn’t any background dancers or band but it’s still a very interesting performance because of the way Ariana dances along to the beat and the very interesting backdrop.
Ariana served looks, vocals and stage presence! It was a great debut performance.
Album Review Score: 4 out of 5 stars
She was close to getting a 3.5 but God is a Woman saved her.
Debut Single Performance: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Could be more different for a comeback single but still does the job.
Final thoughts: Sweetener is a great album that I feel like is slept on. Stan twitter attacked her too much for it at first, but it truly won in the end. Ariana delivered amazing bops for us to listen to and the overall skips on this song would be like 3 or 4 out of 15, which I think is pretty good. I feel like Ariana is gaining a lot of respect in the industry because she doesn’t fail to deliver bops! Also, this album gives Ariana HER SOUND. She has successful established a genre/sound of music that when you hear, you say oh this is ARIANA.
Tell us who else you want us to review :)