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This Day in Pop: Ariana Grande releases ‘Thank U, Next’ album in 2019

Adriannn

By Adriannn
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Adriannn Master

Adriannn

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A day like today but 3 years ago, Ariana Grande released her fifth studio album, ‘Thank U, Next´.

thank u, next - Album by Ariana Grande | Spotify

Her most critically acclaimed work to date, the album was put out just six months after ‘Sweetener’. Great deals of expectation were generated around the music, since the songs would most likely touch on Ariana’s personal struggles, connected to Mac Miller’s passing and her breaking up with Pete Davidson.

Many fans consider this to be her ‘peak era’. The first two singles marked Ariana’s first chart toppers in the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to that, she became the first solo artist to occupy the Hot 100’s top three in the same week. The project received Grammy nominations, including that of Album of the Year. :ari_arianna_pink_bad_hair_flip_cocky_flirt:

 

Being released six months after ‘Sweetener’, I did not know what to expect. First, it all felt rushed; second, ‘Sweetener’ was a hit-and-miss experience; and third, singles ‘Thank U, Next’ and ‘7 Rings’, while catchy and successful, seem to be more memes rather than actual songs. However, ‘Thank U, Next’ as an album turned out to be an exceptional body of work. Musically, it blends pop and R&B in an elegant and smooth fashion. It is cohesive and the lyrics reflect a mature and sincere Ariana.

Now, I would like to run down the track list and give my opinion about each song:

Imagine: a beautiful opening track. Is this Ariana’s best vocal performance in the album? Yes. Is it too Mariah? Probably, but who cares, it’s a gorgeous song. :mcry_mariah_carey_proud_beaming:

Needy: an honest track about Ariana’s insecurities… however, I don’t find much replay value.

NASA: an early favorite for me that later faded. This is the first track that includes a spoken intro (Shangela in this case). I remember being deceived by some of her Instagram posts in which she seemed to be in a set for a music video.

Bloodline: nònna Grande opens this brassy and pounding song. This is a reminder of the magic that Max Martin and company create for Ariana, something sorely missed in ‘Positions’. :blast_explosion_skeleton_skull_fire_flames_boom:

Fake Smile: a beautiful yet painful description of everything she has been through. Her vocals shine and the chorus is such a vocal treat.

Bad Idea: the only bad idea here was not making this banger a single. The transitions towards the second half of the song make me transcend… and just when the song seems to be over, instrumental slayage begins… mercilessly. :thirsty_britney_onyx_drink_flirt_drinking_sipping_fan_hot:

Make Up: I love when Ari brings double entendres… but not here… the only cool thing about it is the reference to Fenty Beauty. :girlbye_walking_away_leave_get_out_leaving_chair_okay:

Ghostin: How to start talking about this song. It might well be the core of this album. The first few seconds in the intro let you know that this is something big and heartfelt. It is completely understandable why she did not want it in the album in the first place and why it was not performed in the Sweetener World Tour. Such an emotional and powerful song, I love it. :tifftear_miss_ny_new_york_ms_crying_wipe_tears_sad:

In My Head: a voice note from one of her friends opens this song. What an enjoyable, smooth track. This is R&Biana at its finest. 

7 Rings: popular meme indeed, I love the music video!

Thank U, Next: it’s catchy, lead single material of course, Do I go back to it? No. Do I know the lyrics by heart? Even if I don’t want to… It was a huge hit.

Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored: a last minute addition to the album, and I’m so glad it happened. It is tremendously catchy and the NSync sample was very well executed. I’m bummed it didn’t reach #1 just like the two first singles. The music video is a serve.

 

I decided not to go all lower case in the song titles because this is a trend that really annoys me

What do you think, Exhale? Was this her peak era? Did she lose it after it? Did you watch Excuse Me, I love You on Netflix?

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Adriannn
Adriannn

34+35 is a cringe fest 

DignifiedLove
DignifiedLove

A TIMELESS body of work that portrays a young woman coming into her own through guilt, grief, trauma and equanimity. By far one of the greatest pop albums of the 21st century and arguably the best com

BoyDeChanel
BoyDeChanel

That was the album that made me pay attention to Ariana, but it lasted only briefly. The follow up album is boring based on the singles I heard.  My fav was Bad Idea The lowercase titles tren

gapeach704 Master

gapeach704

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I still remember jamming to this for the first time! So many bops! I remember being so relieved hearing this album because I wrote Ariana TF off after Sweetener…that could’ve ended her career.

But, it’s crazy that she still doesn’t have a classic album. She has bops, but nothing that will stand the test of time. TUN comes close though.

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Adriannn Master

Adriannn

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19 minutes ago, gapeach704 said:

I still remember jamming to this for the first time! So many bops! I remember being so relieved hearing this album because I wrote Ariana TF off after Sweetener…that could’ve ended her career.

But, it’s crazy that she still doesn’t have a classic album. She has bops, but nothing that will stand the test of time. TUN comes close though.

I do think that both Thank U, Next and Dangerous Woman were great and defining events in pop music and could be considered as her staples... :yesokay_britney_blush_blink:

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Adriannn Master

Adriannn

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1 hour ago, NoGlorySlander said:

I have vinyl for this and TBH I don't get the hate for Positions as well it really has some great songs on it! I love her work on Thank U Next her songs '7 rings' really was everywhere. 

I don't hate Positions, it's just that I think she relied too much on trap for that project. POV, Motive, Safety Net, and Nasty are standouts for me. She shines vocally in this album, but the tracks are not IT, for me at least :searching_looking:

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BoyDeChanel Mentor

BoyDeChanel

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That was the album that made me pay attention to Ariana, but it lasted only briefly. The follow up album is boring based on the singles I heard. :byetina_xtina_Christina_aguilera_pink_leave_bye_walk_leave_carpet_cheetah_hat:

My fav was Bad Idea

The lowercase titles trend is annoying and should die already :byetina_xtina_Christina_aguilera_pink_leave_bye_walk_leave_carpet_cheetah_hat:

Spoiler

What's more annoying is when the song tiles are not consistent throughout an album switching between lowercase, title case and sentense case like on NFR! :chrissy_xtina_head_tilt_purse_sass:

 

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Adriannn Master

Adriannn

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58 minutes ago, BoyDeChanel said:

That was the album that made me pay attention to Ariana, but it lasted only briefly. The follow up album is boring based on the singles I heard. :byetina_xtina_Christina_aguilera_pink_leave_bye_walk_leave_carpet_cheetah_hat:

My fav was Bad Idea

The lowercase titles trend is annoying and should die already :byetina_xtina_Christina_aguilera_pink_leave_bye_walk_leave_carpet_cheetah_hat:

 

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What's more annoying is when the song tiles are not consistent throughout an album switching between lowercase, title case and sentense case like on NFR! :chrissy_xtina_head_tilt_purse_sass:

 

34+35 is a cringe fest :eheeek_britney_unsure_ew_gross_um_awkward_embarrassed_cringe:

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Isla Master

Isla

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Tbh I think this was my favourite album of 2019, I played it so much that year. It's funny cause I feel like I haven't really listened to it as much since then but every now and then when I'm in the mood I will put this album on.

It's so consistent throughout and has so many good songs on it. I know people are tired of Ariana doing trap beats but the trap, pop and R&B influences blend together really well.

The singles run was perfect although I only wish Bloodline had been a 4th single. 

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