Ariana Grande, Thank U, Next | Album Review 💿

Exceptionally gifted pop singer Ariana Grande continues her impressive run on her fifth studio album, ‘Thank U, Next,’ among her very best.  

There was never any doubt that Ariana Grande was among the most talented musicians in the game.  From a vocal standpoint, there are few singers with more range, a more refined tone, or such versatility.  Now, as Grande has matured artistically, beginning most pronouncedly with her 2016 album, Dangerous Woman, she’s truly became a ‘force to the be reckoned with.’ Coming less than a year after her enjoyable, Grammy-winning fourth studio album, Sweetener, Grande ‘brings it even more’ on her fifth LP, Thank U, Next.  As impressive as the songs and performances themselves is how much of a contrast Thank U, Next is compared to Sweetener.  Interestingly, there’s not a feature to be found.

“Imagine” 

“Imagine a world like that / We go like up ‘til I’m sleep on your chest / Love how my face fits so good in your neck / Why can’t you imagine a world like that?” Ariana Grande is in sensually-charged mode on opener ✓ “Imagine”, focused on a relationship that’s ‘lit.’ The sleek urban contemporary production supports this vibe. She truly embraces her role as a younger Mariah Carey here, with the high notes further supporting her cause. Grande establishes pleasure on the first verse, keeping things ‘cool’ and filled with swagger. On the second verse, the ‘picture perfect’ relationship continues. Because it’s ‘real,’ she urges him, “Tell me your secrets / All of the creep shit / That’s how I know it’s true.”  The lyrics and theme aren’t complex or game changing but work out well overall.

Following slow jam “Imagine,” ✓ “Needy” keeps thank u, next on the upward trajectory.  The brief “Needy” is incredibly well-produced, characterized by inescapable lushness.  The lushness is created by the keyboard loop, pad, and rich, robust harmonized vocals.  As always, Ariana Grande sings incredibly well, truly making the melody sound gorgeous. ✓ “NASA” picks up the pace, as well as the rhythmic intensity. Here, Grande embraces more of a hip-hop-infused urban contemporary sound, something she’s excelled at numerous times throughout her career.  The repetitive, ‘space-centric’ chorus is infectious to the nth degree.

“Give you the whole world, I’ma need space
I’ma need space, I’ma, I’ma need
You know I’m a star, I’ma need space
I’ma need space, I’ma, I’ma need space (N-A-S-A).” 

“Bloodline”

Keeping thank u, next fresh, “Bloodline” incorporates some tropically-tinged, reggae-infused pop into the mix.  Grande’s versatility continues to be on display, while she remains idiomatic of urban-pop.  “Bloodline” continues the trend of high-flying, yet poised vocals, memorable and catchy songwriting, and top-notch production. ✓ “Fake Smile” is quite appealing, thanks to sampling a soul classic by Wendy Rene, “After Laughter (Comes Tears)”. Grande may not achieve the distorted grit Rene does on the original, but her smooth pipes fit perfectly over such a soulful backdrop. Of course, the soul icons would never be as bold as Grande, particularly when she asserts, “Fuck a fake smile” on the brief, but potent chorus. She refuses to mask her emotions – she’s going to be authentic AF.

“Bad Idea” comes in as the second longest songs on thank u, next, approaching four-and-a-half minutes.  Despite being lengthy, it’s as consistent and compelling as everything that precedes and follows. “Bad Idea” – about what it the title suggests thematically – once more successfully blends and bridges pop and R&B seamlessly.  While Grande never ‘wails,’ she successfully incorporates her sick upper register without forcing it. On the second verse, she sings, “Yeah, I know we shouldn’t, baby, but we will (you know we will).”

“Make Up” 

A dash of the tropical pop script returns on the ultra-sassy “Make Up,” which begins with a bang – “I like to fuck with you just to make up with you / ‘Cause the way you be screamin’ my name.” Yep, the sex is lit from the start, and calling it mere sexual innuendo might be selling it short.  Rather than merely being suggestive, Grande goes for it, playing on the word “make up” in regard to messing up her make-up during sex, and of course having make-up sex itself.  This one’s short, but incredibly sweet.

“I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again / Over him / I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again / ‘Stead of ghostin’ him.” Even sweeter than “Make Up” is  ✓ “Ghostin,” arguably the most innovative record on thank u, next.  Perhaps “Ghostin” isn’t a ‘game changer’ per se, but up to this point in her career, Ariana Grande hasn’t released a ballad that sounds quite like this one.  Her vocals are hella smooth (expected), while the lyrics that she sings are beautiful and thoughtfully-penned.  Taking honors as the longest record, beating out “Bad Idea” by a couple of seconds, it’s also among the crème de la crème if not the crowning achievement. ILYA and Max Martin outdo themselves on the production, which is radiant to the nth degree – awe-inspiring.

“In my Head” is stuck between two of the album’s best cuts – “Ghostin” and the set’s third single, “7 Rings.” While it’s not as distinct or as accomplished as either record, Grande maintains the consistency of thank u, next without a question.  Just because this urban-pop record isn’t among the top-three per se doesn’t mean it won’t find a way on repeat while spinning the LP.

“7 Rings”

“Been through some bad shit, I should be a sad bitch / Who woulda thought it’d turn me to a savage?” #Fierce. ✓ “7 Rings” features moody production from the onset – dark, enigmatic, and set in a minor key. Notably, this standout lifts from the melody of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Sleek, hip-hop oriented cues are in full throttle during the addictive, instantly catchy chorus. Ariana Grande is confident AF on the pre-chorus and choruses.  The pre-choruses exemplify a flex-fest (“My wrist, stop watchin’, my neck is flossin’ / Make big deposits, my gloss is poppin’…”), while the chorus is simple, but effective.

“I want it, I got it, I want it, I got it…
You like my hair? Gee, thanks, just bought it
I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it (yep)”

In addition to the bold line that commences this review on the first verse, on the second verse, Grande asserts, “Whoever said money can’t solve your problems / Must not have had enough money to solve ‘em.” That’s how Ari rolls on “7 Rings.”

“Thank U, Next”

✓ “Thank U, Next” certainly created a buzz when it arrived as the promo single for the album in November 2018.  “Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and almost laugh.” Grande reflects on her relationships, going on to add more most recent exes like the deceased Mac Miller and Pete Davidson. She continues to focus on her exes on the first pre-chorus and chorus, profanely proclaiming, “Thank you, next / I’m so fuckin’ grateful for my ex.” On the second verse, she focuses on herself – her own well-being. She flips the script on the second pre-chorus, focusing on her own excellence. On the bridge, she anticipates marriage, but ultimately plans to “make that shit last.” Ultimately, “thank u, next” is an honest, therapeutic record that finds Grande reflecting on life, love, and focusing on bettering herself.

“Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” has the monstrous task of following number one hits “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next.” Like the other ‘non-gems’ following ‘gems,’ “Breaking up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” remains worthwhile in all respects (vocals, production, and songwriting).

Final Thoughts 

When it’s all said and done, Thank U, Next is filled with hits, period. Ariana Grande truly outdoes herself, particularly considering the brief gap between albums.  Vocally, she remains on point, while the material is pretty captivating and fresh throughout.  Thank U, Next doesn’t reinvent the wheel mind you, but it gives both Grande and the industry as a whole a strong pop album worthy of continue spins.

✓  Gems: “Imagine,” “needy,” “NASA,” “fake smile,” “ghostin,” “7 Rings” & “thank u, next”

Ariana Grande • thank u, next • Republic • Release: 2.8.19

Photo Credit: Republic