ariana grande - positions (oct. 2020)

I have a slightly different “POV”… I love Sweetener (tho agree “GIAW” is its valley), but Positions is also my favorite at the end of the day. I don’t think TUN is quite as strong overall as either of those albums, but it does have some of her best songs (in addition to maybe her worst!: “7 Rings”).

“DW” is terrific musically, but the lyrics let it down in spots. “So Into You” is its weakest track… it’s fine but could have gone to any artist, it doesn’t feel distinct to Ariana or really showcase her talent.

I tend to think of TUN as a world-class EP that’s sort of “padded out” to fill an album, which is ok, it’s a special kind of thing.

“So Into You” is its weakest track

wtf

I mean, comparatively! It’s still a good track

The lyrics to “Greedy” are cringe, but it’s a bop

(and highlights her vocal ability better, IMO)

I know songs are shopped around, but it’s hard listening to “GIAW” without thinking about how it was originally with Camila Cabello (and probably could’ve stayed with her…). It is one of AG’s favorites though, fwiw

i completely agree about sweetener being very overrated but dangerous woman is one of her best which is why sweetener was so disappointing

Canny numerologists have pointed out that she posted the seven (7) studio pics/vids on December 7 (…in case there was any doubt whether they just related to another feature on someone else’s remix, or something like that).

Only figured out recently that "Santa Tell Me" is originally her song. It's kind of crept into the Xmas canon already so I figured it was an older song she was covering. I enjoy hearing it more than most Xmas songs

She just released the “naughty version” (which has a slightly spicier bridge).

Being an Ariana stan in 2023 involves engagement w/several degrees of irony & camp.

Another quality teaser (in studio w/Max & Ilya)

I've been listening to DW and Sweetener (thanx to the above discussion)... they both hit just as strong as ever; Sweetener in particular is such a wonderful & special album, it has this magic that's just like nothing else...

Did anyone get one of the postcards that were being sent out in the mail to fans? They look cool! I want one.

I’m still waiting for mine! :D

(I think they were just sent out to the five or so big stan accounts that she coordinates things with?)

…ah looks like it was ~7~ fans (to fit the theme)

New single apparently titled “yes, and?”

There are hints it’ll be released Friday, Jan. 12 (but not confirmed)

^now confirmed, btw

Turns out the lyric she's been teasing – "Say that shit with your chest" – also appears in a Mac Miller song

The track is said to be influenced by (or even "interpolate") Madonna's "Vogue"... which also happened the case w/"Motive," from the last album.

I've learned to keep expectations in check (with any artist/band I'm a fan of)... no streak lasts forever, lighting doesn't necessarily strike 7 times, etc. But few artists have her level of "quality control"/taste in her own material; and especially for her big comeback single, it's hard to imagine a swing + miss (I doubt we're getting a "Focus" situation here). But you never know...

Btw – I've been listening to Positions; and even accounting for the fact that AG music prob sounds 5x better to me than a non-fan, I'm surprised the album wasn't more generally acclaimed. Even putting aside her vocals and the melodies (which are f'in incredible), the production is just amazingly lush; every song full of gorgeous details under the surface. It's just a world-class album...!

i agree entirely. i think 'thank u next' was just such a career peak both in terms of her music and her celebrity, her really just being in the center of the pop culture zeitgest and releasing great music that spoke directly to all the attention, that i think the follow up was always going to be in a really tough spot in its shadow regardless of whether it was good or not. it just so happens to be really really good

New thread for a new "era": ariana grande - eternal sunshine (2024 album)