Ariana Grande - Positions
Genre: Pop
Score: 7/10
This is the latest album from pop phenom Ariana Grande. Needless to say, it’s been a pretty crazy decade for her.What to Expect: Aside from a well written pop album, I’m also just hoping for an update on how she is doing. Having listened to Ariana’s music for so long, I know that her albums would provide a clearer picture of her current feelings and headspace. But throughout her career, the icon’s been bogged down from one traumatic experience after another, and while her navigating through it has come with two of the best pop albums of the decade in the process, I don’t want her to only make her best music when bad things happen to her. So, I hope that the music that she makes on this record is not only well made, but also coming from a happier place.
Overall: I really like this album. It’s a consistently well written and produced pop record, and it will definitely be one of the bigger releases of this year. Does it contain the most fiery and show stopping performances that were on Sweetener, or the supremely dark themes on Thank U Next? Not really. She’s definitely playing it kinder & safer on this album. But as a result, I can confidently recommend this album to first time Ariana Grande listeners, as she’s just sticking to her guns and keeping her appeal as apparent as possible.
Play by Play:
1. shut up – I like how the strings are tied into the beat. It’s like a classy trap beat. Vocally, Ariana is as versatile as ever, with those trademark vocal runs that rival even those of Mariah’s and Brandy’s. But lyrically, come on guys. What are we doing here? This is the third song from a pop artist I’ve heard in recent memory that’s telling you to shut up. Have we learned nothing from Rina? Have we learned nothing from Pink Guy? Why did it have to trickle up to an artist as popular as Ariana for you to shut up? When a pop artist has to make a song telling you to shut up, don’t you think that you might be talking a little too much? Given her really good vocal runs on the hook and how dumb the person in mind allegedly sounds, I’d have to agree. He should shut up, and not have to be told again by another pop star years down the road. Great intro, but let’s not have to revisit this song theme in the future.
2. 34+35 – The string laced trap beats are a pretty unique combo so far, at least for pop music standards. Lyrics are pretty straightforward, and the song overall is just a well-oiled hit. This cut was made for the official playlists.
3. motive – Since when was Murda making hip house beats? It sounds really good. Ariana’s singing reminds me of SZA on this track. The song has a very nocturnal & sensual vibe. Doja’s feature is pretty laid back and confident as well.
4. just like magic – This beat sounds straight out of the OVO sweatshop. Ariana is just singing about her schedule, her writing process, her team meetings, etc. For a Top 40 artist, it’s a pretty interesting topic, considering how her fans treat her as a larger than life figure, rather than the normal human being she really is.
5. off the table – Baby making groove despite how dejected and unsexy the themes of heartbreak and navigating relationship based trauma are. Abel kills it on his guest verse and overall, he and Ariana have great chemistry.
6. six thirty – The beats are very cinematic on this album. This song is a catchy, sexy, straight forward bop about meeting up at six thirty. After listening to it, all I can say is I hope he didn’t show up late.
7. safety net – The hook is really great. Ty bodies this feature, as expected. She’s singing about worrying about falling in love again without that safety net, that reassurance that if everything falls apart, she’ll remain whole and safe.
8. my hair – Very Neo Soul groove. Someone’s been studying up on some Baduizm. Had to double check to see if anyone from the Roots was on this, and lo and behold, the legendary Scott Storch on production. He’s still got it.
9. nasty – This beat reminds me of a lot of Pierre Bourne’s production. Overall the song is a bit less memorable in the context of the rest of the record as well as just in context of the rest of her career, but her voice is really smooth and the vocal harmonies are great. The song is very well written.
10. west side – Beat reminds me of an OVO take on a Brandy track. Ariana’s performance is pretty smooth. The song’s pretty redundant and a mellower cut.
11. love language – The groove reminds me of Janet. A bit disco sounding as well. It reminds me of a lot of 90s R&B. I hope Victoria Monet and her other songwriters are getting a big check from writing half of these songs.
12. positions – The lead single & title track of the album. In the context of the record it’s a fitting pick me up after a fairly mild lull.
13. obvious – Sweet track. Is it the best song or performance she’s ever made? Not really. But it’s not bad.
14. pov – The obligatory ballad, which is pretty fitting for an outro. I love the chord progression on this song, and her performance is pretty dynamic. Lyrically, she sounds like she’s getting past her flaws with the support of her lover. This ended on a very strong note and definitely made the end of the album worth it.
Score: 7/10
Favorite Track in Bold
Just my opinion