Turning something tragic into something cheerful isn’t easy, but the feeling isn’t too unfamiliar for Ariana Grande.
Ariana Grande has returned with her first new music since the terrorist bombing that killed 22 people outside her Manchester Arena show back in May 2017. It’s been suggested that the title “No Tears Left to Cry” alludes to the terrorist attack, while showing the optimism, strength and resilience of her ‘One Love’ benefit concert that was held just two weeks after the incident.
First debuting the new track at the California festival Coachella during a Kygo set a couple of days ago, Ariana touts real positive vibes on this upbeat banger. Despite this, the track can be seen as deeply personal compared to her previous albums based on its inspiration alone.
The song begins as a ballad, which is what you’d expect considering her last performance was at another politically charged event at ‘March Of Our Lives’ singing “Be Alright”. Leading you to think it’ll continue that way, she sings the lyrics “I’m picking it up / I’m picking it up/ I’m loving, I’m living / so we turn it up” you’re instantly taken into a UK Garage type beat, a possible Manchester plug?
Alongside an acid jazz beat layers of synths and a gentle bass groove make for a song that is less focused on the dancefloor.
Overall, this song pushes past grief, the song is the comeback we’ve all been waiting for. It’s striking in its optimism: the soundtrack for the exact moment you decide to keep going. With the single produced by Max Martin, what else would you expect?
By Ashley Morris