yarp
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 05:14 (three years ago) link
this is surely her most consistent album - there's not a single dud, but i'm not sure i prefer it to dangerous woman yet
"love language" is the highlight on first listen
my only complaint is it's kinda too streamlined though, i wish the tracks weren't all so short and had the chance to breathe a little more
― ufo, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 05:47 (three years ago) link
8 songs under 3 minutes is certainly to blame on the streaming era.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 05:51 (three years ago) link
I don’t think her albums have any duds! (...but, I would think that). There’s maybe one song per album that I don’t dig so much, but even those are ok songs. “Focus” is probably the only true dud she’s officially released (not counting stuff she’s put on SoundCloud, etc.) — and even that was pulled from the album. Except in Japan, where they get all the odds & ends.
― Video Drama (morrisp), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 07:11 (three years ago) link
fantastic album
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 28 October 2020 07:17 (three years ago) link
don't think it has the emotional resonance of thank u next and even on a pure songcraft level there's something still pretty magical about the debut to me... but it's close to a perfect album for where she is coming out of the last one. everything starting w/ the weeknd song is pretty crazy, basically every song is a knockout.
fwiw i don't really rate sweetener & i might be the only person who has my everything > dangerous woman
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 28 October 2020 07:21 (three years ago) link
"7 rings" was absolutely a dud and there were a bunch on sweetener and even dangerous woman had "sometimes" which has that annoying "la la la" bit.
i could easily see this becoming my favourite once i've listened to it more
― ufo, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 09:15 (three years ago) link
i wish the tracks weren't all so short and had the chance to breathe a little more
I don't think making these songs longer would make them better
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 12:26 (three years ago) link
impressively while these songs are mostly short, they don't skimp on bridges / outros / general bits of goodness beyond verse/chorus/verse. it's easy to imagine the five-minute version of "POV" (an amazing song, incidentally) with a key change and a choir but I personally don't need it
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 12:47 (three years ago) link
i mean i'm not asking for 5 minute versions of things, just more on the 3-4 minute side rather than the 2-3
― ufo, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 13:56 (three years ago) link
How are the guest features?
― Video Drama (morrisp), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 14:50 (three years ago) link
they're very solid unless you hate the weeknd
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 14:52 (three years ago) link
uh oh
― Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 14:57 (three years ago) link
weeknd sounds amazing on that song
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 28 October 2020 14:57 (three years ago) link
it's one of the best songs he's ever been involved in imo
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 15:13 (three years ago) link
I lol'd at the end of "34+35" -- "Means I wanna 69 with ya... noooooo shit"
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 04:37 (three years ago) link
"Off the Table" -- holy gawd
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 04:44 (three years ago) link
it's like "Get Well Soon" taken to... another place
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 04:45 (three years ago) link
this has indeed become my favourite of hers already
― ufo, Friday, 30 October 2020 04:53 (three years ago) link
These tracks are sophisticated as $#!&. I agree w/Simon that they lose nothing in their brevity -- and it may even work to their advantage.
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 04:55 (three years ago) link
"Nasty" is every bit as good as the snippet suggested it would be...
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 04:56 (three years ago) link
whoa - that coda on "Love Language"
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 05:03 (three years ago) link
There's something "'90s-feeling" about the whole album, without it being an obvious stylistic throwback... touches like the background vocal arrangements remind me of a classic Mariah album or something?
― Video Drama (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 05:09 (three years ago) link
"off the table" genuinely fucking incredible
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, 30 October 2020 05:10 (three years ago) link
Haven't heard any of this yet even the single. Super looking forward to this considering that Needy and Ghostin are easily two of the best songs ever. The separate song titles are trending on Twitter; i love it when that happens.
― piscesx, Friday, 30 October 2020 05:29 (three years ago) link
the only thing i've read on this so far was the stereogum review which i thought was weirdly low on the album in general but specifically dissed the weeknd song which just doesn't align at all w/ how i hear this album. that's when it really kicks into gear for me
― J0rdan S., Friday, 30 October 2020 05:38 (three years ago) link
Not feeling “off the table” but the strings on “love language” and the retro vibe and Mariah Carey influence on “My Hair” are early standouts.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 30 October 2020 05:43 (three years ago) link
This feels like a follow-up to Yours Truly in the best way
― self-clowning oven (Murgatroid), Friday, 30 October 2020 05:46 (three years ago) link
Just finished listening to this. I went in with high expectations due to the raving comments here but I must say I’m a bit underwhelmed. It’s nice but nothing particularly grabbed me. So far, I much prefer the previous album.But maybe this will be a grower.
― AlXTC from Paris, Friday, 30 October 2020 07:08 (three years ago) link
concur with Moka in that "my hair" or "love language" are probably my favourites. "motive" seemed like the obvious next single to me until i reached the doja cat verse, which kind of throws it off balance with its abrasiveness.
probably her most unassuming album yet; i get more..."i don't care" or "sometimes" from dangerous woman than yours truly tbh
― monotony, Friday, 30 October 2020 07:53 (three years ago) link
I like this album but it exhausts me.
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 30 October 2020 09:43 (three years ago) link
it's a motherfuckin' vibe, it's for motherfuckers that's patient, it's for motherfuckers that like to take their time, close their eyes, and dream
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, 30 October 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link
that needs to be quoted in the album poll
― gman59, Friday, 30 October 2020 17:38 (three years ago) link
imo this one is actually for motherfuckers that's not patient
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Friday, 30 October 2020 17:48 (three years ago) link
I do appreciate "Love Language" as the sophisti-pop number after the spirited opening string arrangement.
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 30 October 2020 18:05 (three years ago) link
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Friday, October 30, 2020 10:48 AM (nineteen minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
if you go strictly by song lengths sure, if you go by some of the indifferent reactions to "off the table" and the general quiet storm vibe she's got going here, nah
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, 30 October 2020 18:10 (three years ago) link
The Weeknd sounds fine on "Off the Table." I don't find him a convincing duet partner with anyone except himself, whom I'm sure he'd also fuck and leave after a night of coke and codeine.
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 30 October 2020 18:12 (three years ago) link
for some reason had to play "six thirty" three times in a row just now
are you downwhat's upare you downwhat's upare you dowwwwwn
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, 30 October 2020 19:24 (three years ago) link
wasn't 100% sold until a voice with real credibility spoke up:
the frozen pizza wants you to know that it really relates to trauma @BrandsSayingBae pic.twitter.com/n0HQw2hEV3
― Evans on Hammond (evol j), Friday, 30 October 2020 20:00 (three years ago) link
that's a special kind of cursed, my god
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Friday, 30 October 2020 20:13 (three years ago) link
Nice track review, which also serves as a concise set of thoughts on the album overall: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/ariana-grande-pov/
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 21:31 (three years ago) link
critics seem weirdly low on this so far, i'm a bit baffled
― J0rdan S., Friday, 30 October 2020 21:33 (three years ago) link
a relisten affirms that this is the second best thing she's ever done, next to that time she said "I hate america" in public
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Friday, 30 October 2020 21:35 (three years ago) link
xp i’m surprised to hear that… I haven’t read any reviews, but I would’ve guessed it’s a natural for critical luv
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 21:46 (three years ago) link
(It feels, both culturally and artistically, right on point for the moment)
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 21:48 (three years ago) link
skimming through reviews and they all seem to complain that it's not full of big obvious hits and too low-key
idk that's kinda the point! she goes for vibes and nails it the whole way through and as much as i do love some of her Big Pop Moments i think she's even better at this
but i've never quite understood the critical response she's gotten after sweetener was really loved when it was easily one of her weakest records
― ufo, Friday, 30 October 2020 22:38 (three years ago) link
I love Sweetener, and think it deserves every kudo – but maybe it had the advantage of a “comeback” narrative, in terms of critical reception
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Friday, 30 October 2020 23:59 (three years ago) link
(which this one doesn’t have, and some critics may not have that “hook” to rely on... I dunno, don’t want to judge reviews I haven’t read. do any of them talk about her vocals much?)
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Saturday, 31 October 2020 00:00 (three years ago) link
I think “pov” is interesting in that I’m not sure she can totally “pull off” the vocal—but she goes for it anyway.
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Saturday, 31 October 2020 00:02 (three years ago) link
there are a few other spots on the album where it also feels like she’s pushing past some of her natural limitations as a vocalist, and just doing what she loves and making the kind of songs she wants to make.
― Tim Simms (morrisp), Saturday, 31 October 2020 00:03 (three years ago) link
Being an Ariana stan in 2023 involves engagement w/several degrees of irony & camp.
― This field is required (morrisp), Tuesday, 12 December 2023 03:30 (five months ago) link
Another quality teaser (in studio w/Max & Ilya)
― This field is required (morrisp), Sunday, 17 December 2023 19:07 (five months ago) link
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...
― This field is required (morrisp), Sunday, 17 December 2023 19:20 (five months ago) link
Did anyone get one of the postcards that were being sent out in the mail to fans? They look cool! I want one.
― piscesx, Saturday, 30 December 2023 16:11 (four months ago) link
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?)
― In my Ram’s Horn era (morrisp), Saturday, 30 December 2023 16:30 (four months ago) link
…ah looks like it was ~7~ fans (to fit the theme)
― In my Ram’s Horn era (morrisp), Saturday, 30 December 2023 18:51 (four months ago) link
New single apparently titled “yes, and?”There are hints it’ll be released Friday, Jan. 12 (but not confirmed)
― Wooly Bully (2005 Remaster) (morrisp), Thursday, 4 January 2024 23:52 (four months ago) link
^now confirmed, btw
Turns out the lyric she's been teasing – "Say that shit with your chest" – also appears in a Mac Miller song
― Wooly Bully (2005 Remaster) (morrisp), Sunday, 7 January 2024 23:50 (four months ago) link
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...
― Wooly Bully (2005 Remaster) (morrisp), Wednesday, 10 January 2024 19:48 (four months ago) link
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...!
― Wooly Bully (2005 Remaster) (morrisp), Wednesday, 10 January 2024 20:03 (four months ago) link
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
― slob wizard (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 10 January 2024 20:34 (four months ago) link
New thread for a new "era": ariana grande - eternal sunshine (2024 album)
― Wooly Bully (2005 Remaster) (morrisp), Thursday, 11 January 2024 17:15 (four months ago) link