Album Review: thank u, next

Ariana Grande’s second album in six months meets and exceeds expectations.

Not even six months after dropping the critically upheld album Sweetener, Ariana Grande surpasses her last project with the release of thank u, next. Named after her 2018 chart-topping single “thank u, next,” the album delivered 12 feature-less songs. The success of these 12 songs can all be exclusively attributed to Grande, as the album boasts no features across the entirety of the project.

Being a frequent news topic in pop culture, Ariana Grande has become an increasingly known household name over the past several months. With the concert bombing in Manchester, the passing of Mac Miller, who she had one of her most intimate relationships with, and the overly-publicized breakup with her fiancé Pete Davidson, Ariana has been hit with several emotional obstacles lately. However, her feelings and energy did not go unexpressed as she clearly channeled her heartfelt thoughts into the production of thank u, next.

Although the album is rather dreary, Ariana keeps her sound trendy as she vulnerably speaks on her built up emotions. The instrumentals on the project primarily consist of lowkey electro-pop vibes that allow Ariana’s vocals to provide most of the sounds for the listener. The project relays a consistent theme of the struggles of pushing through the pain as seen on the track “fake smile,” as Grande sings, “and I won’t say I’m feeling fine, after what I been through, I can’t lie.” We see a new, more open side of Ariana Grande with the release of thank u, next.

Overall, the album was very well produced, as it held a consistent theme, provided top-of-the-line vocals with deep lyrical significance and brought something new, yet trendy to the table. Ariana Grande stunned the public with the stylistic expansion of her sound shown on thank u, next. Previously being a catchy, pop figure in the public eye, Ariana surpassed what many thought she was capable of doing as an artist with this project. Regardless of your music taste, this project is one that anyone can enjoy in one way or another.