By LAUREN KASZUBA
Co-Arts Editor
Just one year after her hit album “Dangerous Woman,” Ariana Grande’s latest album “Sweetener” is a great successor. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Grande says her latest album is different because “it’s the first time” she feels more present than “ever,” and says she sees “colors” more. Perhaps this explains why “Sweetener” is her first album that doesn’t have a black and white color?
Maybe. However, this album is said to be a positive response to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 and injured over 500 after Grande’s concert. The album features two of her main singles, “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God is a Woman.” Apple Music describes the album to be “about love, happiness, strength, and womanhood.”
Personally, I’m a fan of Grande’s music. I think she has an extremely powerful, beautiful voice that is quite unique. However, “Sweetener” is a new era for Grande.
Because she allowed this album to be her response to the Manchester tragedy, she established an album that not only includes a variety of songs to fit any emotion, but she showed vocal maturity.
If one was to listen to any of her older albums, such as “Yours Truly” or “My Everything,” and then look at albums such as “Dangerous Woman” and “Sweetener,” it is quite obvious that her voice has improved immensely. Grande proves this in the thirty-seven second intro to the album named “Raindrops (An Angel Cried).” When I first heard this intro, I knew that the rest of the album was going to be fantastic; Grande knew exactly what she was doing by putting a small intro showing off her amazing vocals in the beginning of the album.
Personally, I believe this is Grande’s best album. First, I will mention that I appreciate that she decided to use this album as her positive response to a tragedy. Second, I love an album that has a variety of songs so I can listen to the album no matter what mood I’m in.
Are you going through heartbreak? “Better Off” is the mellow, relaxing song that will help you forget about it. Are you looking to start your day off in a good mood? “Sweetener” is the unique anthem that will help you get a positive outlook for the day. Looking for something to simply dance to? “The Light is Coming” featuring Nicki Minaj will surely help that.
Overall, if you are a fan of Ariana Grande and still haven’t heard “Sweetener,” I highly recommend it. I can say that you most likely will not be disappointed, but, if you are, Grande has already mentioned that she will start working on her next album in September, so don’t worry.
