thank u, next – Ariana Grande

Harry

It’s fair to say that Grande couldn’t have been less on my radar before Zach expressed his infatuation. For that reason, I eagerly anticipated her 2018 effort, Sweetener. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed and Ariana came across as if she was trying a bit too hard. Then “thank u next” came out. Grande had struck gold. The high pitched twinkling synths alongside a snappy beat complimented her vocals unlike anything I had heard from her before. Despite the 7-rings-gate, I did love the production on the song for similar reasons. I was now hyped for what I thought would be Ariana mastering her newfound formula 12 times. To my surprise, the album contained far more variety than I expected. But I’m not fully sure if it pays off. Gorgeous and powerful moments (ghostin’, fake smile, etc.) are countered by some really half-baked moments in my opinion (make-up, bloodline).

68/100

Zach

This has to be one of my most anticipated albums in recent years. I have been a huge fan of Grande throughout her career, and after being not just disappointed, but concerned by her last album Sweetener, I knew we were in for something special. Sweetener felt like a departure from herself, and was a product of her troubled state of mind, if ‘thank u next’ followed that same trajectory, it was always going to bang. In this album, Grande wears her own pain, insecurity and vulnerability like it was the most fashionable outfit you’ve ever seen. Throughout the album, her lyrics are a completely open book and we are given a complete inside look at someone at the height of their celebrity, the likes of which I have not seen since Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’, for someone as famous as Grande to say this is so significant. Simultaneously, the confident trap production throughout gives us the impression that she is in control and has a grip on and clear understanding of her emotions, which is demonstrated through a clear sound throughout the album, which is something ‘Sweetener’ severely lacked. I would struggle to find an album more honest anywhere, and I especially wouldn’t expect to find one so high up the Billboard charts. This is Ariana Grande’s greatest and most important album to date. thank u, next.

90/100