Ariana Grande has come to save 2020 with her newly released album, Positions which explores her new relationship with estate agent Dalton Gomez and moving on…
The 27-year-old has decided to try something new with a more R&B style, mixing with her usual styles of pop and hip-hop. She mixes up the tempos with her high whistle tones to continue with her distinctive sound.
Ultimately surprising her fans, Grande only announced the release of her album 17 days beforehand. No surprise that it created a media storm of fans grasping onto every hint of what was to come.
Twitter becomes a frenzy as ‘#POSITIONS’ trends with fans rushing with support for Ariana and her new album. Fans took to Twitter to create as many links to other songs Grande has written in the past to show how she has healed and become happier in her current relationship.
Whereas Grande’s past two albums Thank U, next and Sweetener focused primarily on the trauma of the tragic event of the Manchester Bombings, the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and her engagement to Pete Davidson, Positions focuses on her becoming more happy and content with moving on with her life; particularly her new boyfriend.
The title track Positions was released the week before as a single, along with the music video which showed a glimpse of what was to come. The video follows Grande as President, carrying out many tasks in the White House; timed extremely well due to the US election only a few days later.
Reminding us why we love her, she continues to include diversity in her videos with the people included continuing to set an inspiring image to many.
The song showed us that the album was going to show female empowerment but also a “steamy” side to her. This steamy side can definitely be seen streaming through most of the songs on the album. Particularly 34+35 and Nasty. Grande goes through these new playful moods within her songs, showing a new side to her fans; “So what you doing tonight? Better say, “Doin’ you right.”
Of course, these kind of songs are going to get backlash due to younger fans and parents but Grande is showing she can break through these boundaries that she has felt stuck behind due to the tragic event of Manchester Bombings that affected her mental health, among many others.
Off The Table with The Weekend shows the fear of letting herself fall in love again after the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller in 2018. Grande has shown all the emotion and turmoil of her relationships through her music and this song is no exception.
However, she’s shown that she has let herself move on and be loved with new boyfriend Dalton through the songs exploring their exciting relationship.
The only thing about this album that some may criticise is that it isn’t that different from her other albums. Particularly when Thank U, Next and Sweetener came out with songs so moving for many and would be hard to even try to top them. But the album is incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be playing it consistently.
The album also includes collaborations with Doja Cat, The Weekend and Ty Dolla $ign. However, the album would probably be just as good without.
pov finishes the album with a different kind of vulnerability than in her other songs. The song shows her inner turmoil of trying to love herself.
Through the slow, calmer music we get a more self-disclosing song about Grande’s insecurities but ultimately showing her love for how Dalton sees her and how this helped her to heal.
It is a song of growth, patience and love. Which honestly feels inspiring and an amazing end to another incredible album.
Rating: 8/10
By Scarlett Acres
Feature Image Credit: Republic Records