Review: “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande

 

Doesn’t it feel like we were just here? It’s only been approximately six months since the release of 2018’s “Sweetener“, but Ariana Grande is back with the release of a brand new project. And it couldn’t be much further from something that sounds rushed. Plenty of care and consideration went into crafting every each and every pop anthem. And to be fair, she has a lot to talk about.

Since arriving in the music scene in 2013 with “Yours Truly”, Grande has become perhaps the biggest pop star in the world, with two number one hits in the past three months (thank u next, 7 rings). She seems to have improved with each album as well, earning Metacritic scores of 64, 76, and 81 for her past three albums; “My Everything”, “Dangerous Woman”, and “Sweetener”, respectively.

Part of that improvement has included genuine growth, though bombastic pop anthems remain her bread and butter (for good reason). “Sweetener” included inventive, unique songs such as “God is a Woman”, “The Light is Coming”, and several Pharrell produced tracks that were worlds entirely their own. Hard hitting bass and drums are become a regular part of Grande tracks these days, and “Thank U, Next” puts these on full display.

Did Grande continue her growth and further her incredibly unique brand of pop with her 2019 release? Check out my full track-by-track review below.

 

1)      imagine

The opening track is one we have heard before, having initially been released this past November. It holds up quite well though, and fits right in as an intro. One of the more sonically pleasing Ari songs I’ve heard – the beginning feels as though I’m floating on a cloud. Ari is talking about a very desirable and laid-back sounding relationship, one with pad thai and champagne in the bathtub. One where she is perfectly happy. Unfortunately, she is only dreaming out loud. A high-pitched sound came on at the end and I honestly couldn’t tell you if it’s a whistle or Ariana singing it – neverdoubt her vocal ability and range.

 

2)      needy

“I can be needy, way too damn needy”. One of the most relatable tracks she’s created, Ariana stresses that though she can often be needy in relationships, it’s only because of how good it makes her feel to be needed. She wants listeners to know that there’s nothing wrong with being passionate, even so much so that you want to scream it. A simple beat, just a couple chords and a choir, but she doesn’t need much to make an impact. An orchestra outro, both an unexpected and delightful addition.

 

3)      NASA

“One small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind”. What a way to start a track. Catchy hip-hop sounding beat. Even catchier chorus. Feeling needy on the last song, needing space on the next. I’m assuming that was intentional. There is a perfect balance that lies between the two. This a pop anthem. It feels like we are about to get into the absolute bop portion of the album – no offense to the slowness of the first few tracks.

 

4)      bloodline

Ariana’s grandma delivers the introduction, right before boisterous horns come flowing on, adding some spanish-sounding spice to this banger. “Don’t want you in my bloodline, just wanna have a good time”. Jeeez. Ariana has been ruthless recently. This is one that you will 100% hear on the radio. Hopefully it doesn’t get overplayed quickly.

 

5)      fake smile

After Laughter – Wendy Rene gets yet another sample. Interested to see where she takes it. Drums just came in, and this turned into a f**king anthem. Ariana is far past the point of fake smiles. Love the way the sample is mixed into the hook, this is very well produced. Props to Happy Perez and Andrew Wansel. She’s flowing over this bridge. This can definitely be classified as a hit. “If I’m being honest, I’ve been through way too much”. She’s on the mark there.

 

6)      bad idea

She’s definitely rolling with the hard hitting drums on this album, as the 808s come clapping on the sixth track, along with a striking guitar melody. She’s trying to get over an unnamed ex-boyfriend by calling over another person. She knows it’s a bad idea, but as she made clear in the last song, is far past the point of caring about appearances. This is a catchy one; won’t be surprised if I hear this one around. This outro. Everything is slowing down and getting chopped. 

 

7)      make up

Simple beat, similar to Needy. Reminds me of early Ari. Not one of the stronger choruses on the album, using makeup as a center of wordplay. This feels like one that didn’t quite need to make the album’s final cut. Very brief and fairly forgettable. This feels like a Mac Miller tribute… very similar sounding to “Cinderella”, a song confirmed to have been about Ariana. “He just comes to visit me when I’m dreaming, every now and then”. It sounds like she is suggesting that Pete felt hurt when she cried over Mac, instead of just ghosting him, and moving on. Ariana has been through a lot. I won’t pretend to be the first to notice this, but this instrumental may or may not be a slowed down version of Mac’s “2009”, off “Swimming” (his last album. A very emotional track.

       8)      ghostin

This feels like a Mac Miller tribute… very similar sounding to “Cinderella”, a song confirmed to have been about Ariana. “He just comes to visit me when I’m dreaming, every now and then”. It sounds like she is suggesting that Pete felt hurt when she cried over Mac, instead of just ghosting him, and moving on. Ariana has been through a lot. I won’t pretend to be the first to notice this, but this instrumental may or may not be a slowed down version of Mac’s “2009”, off “Swimming” (his last album. A very emotional track.

 

9)      in my head

Pete is getting dragged a little bit here. Though I of course can’t confirm that this song is about him. Ariana thought that she could change this person and mold him into what she had pictured in her head, but eventually realized that the only person she can change is herself. Was that a “skirt, skirt” in the background?! She’s going mainstream hip-hop. Her vocal talents are on full display on this one, especially at the climax of the chorus. “Boy I invented you”. Sheesh.

 

10)  7 rings

The album’s second single. The sound of music flow caught me off guard on my first listen. Still can’t decide if this chorus is good, but god**n if I want it, I got it, I want it, I got it. The remix didn’t need 2 Chainz, odd choice. Speaking of which, this album has had zero features, is this Ariana’s “2014 Forest Hills Drive”? She is full blown rapping on this last verse, and it really isn’t bad… hey if the “catch me outside” chick can rap why can’t Ariana?

 

11)  thank u, next

There isn’t much left to add on this song, besides to say that it was released in November of last year and still might’ve runaway as the biggest song of the entire year (no disrespect to Drake). Social House & TBHits killed the production of this song, and broke down how the whole thing came together in a Genius video that is absolutely worth a watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svPUzPiBqLs

 

12)  break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored

I didn’t need to do anything more than read the title of the song to get an idea of how savage it was going to be. A music video was released upon the album’s release, showing Ariana slowly and cleverly stealing a girl away from her man (or so you may think…). Also, possible shots at Jhene and Big Sean? My girlfriend doesn’t like the message behind this one, but one cannot deny – it’s another hit. It also very well could’ve been a single. Ariana blurred the boundary between pop and R&B with this whole album. Love the zipping sounds in the background.

 

Verdict:

This is Ariana at her absolute best. She has finally found herself in rhythm and blues, and this newfound confidence is glaringly obvious throughout the album. She is very honest and open about how rough her past year has been, and what she has been through. But ultimately it feels genuinely optimistic; thanking those who have been in her life, but with a newfound sense of being ready for the next chapter in her life. It’s emotional, it’s incredibly well produced, it’s Ariana at her vocal and musical best, and rarely disappoints. Her upward spiral into music’s upper echelon doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

RATING: 8.6/10

BEST SONGS: NASA, fake smile, in my head, thank u, next, bloodline