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Posted by: HausofHorrors Nov 13 2016, 01:12 PM

So after releasing the album of the year this year she's confirmed via Snapchat that's she's 'almost finished' the follow-up.

'Dangerous Woman' still has ~4 or more potential singles and we have the tour so I actually hope we don't get this too soon so that era can continue to smash

Either way, bring on whatever you've got!

Posted by: Atonement Nov 13 2016, 01:18 PM

I spot no lies.

I'm so excited she already basically finished a new album. I love it when my faves go for quick releases. I firmly believe the key to big sustained success is staying in the spotlight like Rihanna did from 2005-2012. Just release, release, release. (she should take notes again). I hope we get this by Summer 2017 after releasing 1 or maybe 2 more singles from 'Dangerous Woman'.

Posted by: Juliano Nov 13 2016, 03:14 PM

Woah slow down Missy!! Greedy and Everyday first please! Maybe after those have been released she will have recorded a few new even better bangers. Majorly excited non the less.

Posted by: mr_pmt Nov 13 2016, 03:54 PM

I'm hoping we get a couple more singles from Dangerous Woman (one of them being 'Greedy').

It's most definitely the album of the year, she's really grown in my affections and I'm hoping that album wasn't just a fluke (although she's had such an immaculate singles run from 'Problem' to now).

Posted by: Juliano Nov 13 2016, 05:43 PM

Still wish Focus was atleast on the Deluxe. I liked it, all of my friends like it.

Posted by: Umi Nov 13 2016, 05:46 PM

Nervous for this because I just can't imagine it living up to Dangerous Woman. Such a flawless album.

Posted by: Juliano Nov 21 2016, 03:17 PM

Definitely hope she's done more with Cashmere Cat, Max Martin, Ilya and some things with European dance producers again. Suprised she hasn't done anything with StarGate yet. MNEK is pretty hot at the moment, I'd imagine they'd collab well!

Posted by: Serg Mix Nov 26 2016, 12:28 AM

I thought she has her own Artist Forum

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 27 2016, 11:41 AM

Pretty sure she should be in the pop forum!

Posted by: Cassidy Nov 27 2016, 04:28 PM

I haven't recovered from Dangerous Woman yet. Surely nothing before the second half of next yr?

Posted by: Slick Nov 27 2016, 04:34 PM

'Greedy' absolutely has to be a single before a new album.

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 14 2017, 11:31 PM

I'm literally buzzed to see where this new era is going to take her. I really hope we can get something of the same quality as 'Dangerous Woman'! I believe that no matter what though, we're in for a treat!

Pharrell has also commented on the album and says it's something special!

Posted by: Liаm Aug 14 2017, 11:37 PM

She's gonna go stratospheric with this, I already felt like Dangerous Woman was a sort of Janet - Control moment (well how much she's grown through both My Everything and DW's eras are akin to that), but I think this could be her Like A Prayer (not that it will be as iconic as that, not much ever will be) where it just takes her to the next level even though she's already commanding the charts and our hearts.

Posted by: cqmerqn Sep 12 2017, 08:23 PM

It will be very emotional I imagine

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Sep 12 2017, 08:39 PM

I wasn't expecting this for at least another year.

Posted by: Juliano Sep 13 2017, 12:13 PM

I reckon she's finished it by now, she already said she has enough songs to make a good album back in Spring, but those hit singles always seem to be the last to be recorded. At this rate, I'm predicting a Q1 release.

Posted by: Cameron Sep 13 2017, 07:14 PM

I think Ariana should probably take a 6 month break since the DQ tour is more or less done. She hasn't had any proper time to recover from Manchester so I feel as though she should take some time for herself

Posted by: HarryEzra Sep 13 2017, 07:47 PM

I think if she does release an album next year she should try and do a Q4 release maybe

Posted by: Lewisgt Sep 13 2017, 07:52 PM

I think she will release in the summer again like My Everything & Dangerous Woman.

Even though I am beyond excited for something new from her, I wouldn't be disappointed a little while longer than that. She's been very busy since Dangerous Woman was released, I think she deserves some time off.

Posted by: kye Sep 13 2017, 10:07 PM

there's no way they'll wait another year to release the next album. her star is brighter than ever right now, they'll want to strike while the iron is hot. i think she could very well dominate Q1.

Posted by: Jonjo Sep 13 2017, 10:15 PM

Agreed. I reckon a Q1 release is the most likely atm! So excited to hear what she's cooked up!

Posted by: Scene Dec 13 2017, 10:08 PM

That's my thinking. She could do an Ed on both sides of the Atlantic.

Posted by: Sqntq Clqus Dec 15 2017, 02:01 PM

Yeah, I can’t see Ari missing #1 in both singles and albums, in both UK and US. Gonna be huge.

Posted by: Dexton Dec 15 2017, 02:08 PM

Santa Tell Me entering the Top 40 will help keep her name afloat even more, even reminding people of her name (for those non-fans who hadn’t heard of her before One Love). 2017 was her year, but 2018 will be her bitch

Posted by: Juliano Dec 17 2017, 05:41 PM

So apparently she's still working hard in the studio, definitely need something in January!

Posted by: LewisGT Jan 1 2018, 11:47 AM

She released a 10 second snippet on Instagram and it sounded great.

My excitement for this is off the charts.

Posted by: Juliano Jan 1 2018, 12:10 PM

Ooooooooooooooo, it's pretty!!

Posted by: Scene Jan 1 2018, 12:29 PM

I wonder whether she will pay homage to the Manchester victims by naming the album 22 Hearts or something.

Posted by: Juliano Feb 8 2018, 08:31 PM

I NEED this era to begin! I can just tell this year is going to be huge for her. Can we at least get a snippet or a name or a lyric or something? I feel like I'm gasping for air!

Posted by: HarryEzra Feb 9 2018, 12:03 AM

The only thing related to her I have seen is her new hairstyle I just want new era information

Posted by: Scene Feb 9 2018, 04:13 PM

Her album could actually be a million seller just through good will alone. One Love Manchester was one of the highest rated TV shows of 2017 after all.

Posted by: Cameron Feb 9 2018, 04:33 PM

If she calls the album Manchester she will legit do an Adele in the UK

Posted by: Juliano Feb 9 2018, 06:11 PM

She'd probably hit the mark with something along the lines of "Angels" or something like that. Would be so sweet, yet heartbreaking.

Posted by: Jonjo Feb 19 2018, 01:03 AM

Can we get some news/announcements on this please Ari?????

Argh. I just wanna hear something. I'm ready for new material so bad!

Posted by: Liаm Feb 19 2018, 02:06 AM

I was gonna say watch her call it 22 after the people who died (obv excluding the attacker) but that'd be a bit too Adele

I can definitely see her doing something like the examples above which would be incredibly beautiful and symbolic for such a seemingly small thing <3

Posted by: LewisGT Feb 19 2018, 01:59 PM

Same!!! It feels like ages since that snippet on the 1st of Jan.

Posted by: Cameron Mar 2 2018, 11:25 PM

Apparently, this is produced by Pharell and half produced by Max Martin.

Posted by: HarryEzra Mar 3 2018, 02:46 AM

Sounds intriguing

Posted by: Cameron Mar 3 2018, 10:30 AM

It's going to be banger after banger

Posted by: Juliano Apr 1 2018, 12:48 PM

Okay so now we have reports from some random twitter sources who are convinced lead is coming Mid/Late April followed by the album in May. At this point, I don't know what to believe, what May 2022?

Posted by: ſnlᴉɐuo May 2 2018, 01:17 AM

We may be getting R.E.M as a promo single very soon if rumours are true.

Posted by: Jay ☆ May 2 2018, 03:19 AM

The album is called 'Sweetener' and is coming out on 20th July. Apparently there will be "surprises" on 20th May (the date of the Billboard Music Awards) and 20th June. Instant grats, perhaps?

Posted by: UltraReputation May 2 2018, 05:54 AM

Love the title and the albums comes out two days after my birthday 😍😍 so ready!

Posted by: UltraReputation May 2 2018, 06:32 AM

Ariana also confirmed the tracklist in the NTLTC video is real but not in the right order and confirmed that raindrops is an intro and the opening track and also confirmed R.E.M, The Light Is Coming and God Is A Woman are on the album <3

Posted by: ubɹǝɯbƆ May 2 2018, 07:16 AM

I’m so not here for ‘Sweetener’ being the album title. Maybe it’ll grow.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn May 2 2018, 09:34 AM

That title... is gonna take some getting used to.

Posted by: Jonjo May 2 2018, 10:20 AM

I was the same, but then I watched her interview (2nd video below) where she reveals the name and explains why and it's really sweet!





That bit about Manchester towards the end of the interview..

Posted by: Jonjo May 2 2018, 10:37 AM

Didn't know where else to put all these so I shall pop them in here

Posted by: HarryEzra May 2 2018, 11:40 AM

The album title is okay I think it will grow as a title.

Posted by: Liаm May 2 2018, 12:57 PM

Wtf is that title? But eh it's only a title. Still hyped for what is sure to be one of the albums of the year <3

Also howling at her goth rock version of Humble on Jimmy Fallon

Posted by: Theo. May 2 2018, 01:33 PM

So lovely to see her so relaxed chatting with Jimmy My immediate thoughts on the title were 'eh?!' but her explanation for it was lovely. I can't wait to hear the songs that she teased!

Also her covers of "Humble" and "God's Plan" were so much better than the originals.

This is "An Angel Cried" which is sampled/covered in track 1, "Raindrops":

Posted by: Dexton May 2 2018, 02:08 PM

Wow I forgot how brilliant she was in interviews *.* And that performance was brilliant, definitely considering its only the second time she’s performed it live

Posted by: ┴פsᴉʍ/ May 2 2018, 04:11 PM

I'm so happy we've got a title.

My excitement for this is off the charts!!!

Posted by: BridgeCow May 2 2018, 06:35 PM

Actually quite a fan of that title, especially love her reasoning for it

THAT COVER OF HUMBLE THO *.*

Posted by: HausofTroye May 2 2018, 06:56 PM

She is adorable <3

I am not a fan of the album title though and her description of it.. didn't help because she just said what a sweetener is and it still does not compute for me or really work as an album title. High hopes though for the music, bring it on <3

Posted by: Blond 2.0 May 2 2018, 07:38 PM

I love the title

Posted by: Theo. May 3 2018, 08:13 PM

"The Light is Coming" is possibly coming soon based on her recent Instagram. It's one of the Pharrell songs.

Posted by: ubɹǝɯbƆ May 3 2018, 08:28 PM

We’ll get it May 20 I reckon!

Posted by: ſnlᴉɐuo May 16 2018, 11:06 AM

She has pretty much almost confirmed it's the second single, but no official word yet.

Posted by: Theo. May 21 2018, 06:28 PM

HEAVENLY preview of a new song on her Instagram story rn!

She also wrote that she's added more songs to the album.

Posted by: Cqmerqn May 27 2018, 08:38 PM

The Light Is Coming features Nicki Minaj

EDIT: Also features Drake apparently

Posted by: Jonjo May 27 2018, 09:33 PM

SNIPPET

https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1000836671598878720?s=19

Ari KILLING it *.*

Posted by: ┴פsᴉʍ/ May 27 2018, 10:02 PM

OMG!!!

I think I maybe be even more hyped for this than I was for NTLTC, the snippet sounds brilliant.

Posted by: John-James May 28 2018, 08:23 AM

Sounds like a potential #1! How annoying that NTLTC missed out, she could have had two back to back

Posted by: Cqmerqn May 28 2018, 09:17 AM

I’m also gutted that NTLTC missed out on #1

It feels like a huge hit though, certainly seems bigger than River and Freaky Friday which were both #1s this year.

Posted by: ſnlᴉɐuo May 28 2018, 11:47 AM

Oh wow that sounds catchy af. And I'm always open to a Nicki collab. It definitely sounds Pharrell produced too! Can't wait!!

Posted by: Cqmerqn May 29 2018, 06:47 PM

15 tracks including 3 collaborations

Posted by: Cameron May 29 2018, 10:58 PM

QUEEN YES YES YES

Posted by: HarryEzra May 29 2018, 10:59 PM

OMG YESSS Bring it on!!

Posted by: UltraReputation May 30 2018, 02:56 PM

Borderline is produced by Pharrell and features Missy Elliott!

Posted by: Liаm May 30 2018, 06:03 PM

Missy Elliot collab omg HYPE *.*

Posted by: ǝʎʞ May 30 2018, 07:02 PM

i hope i'm wrong but i feel like i'm not gonna like half of this album judging by the few clips we're hearing.
i'm not here for a bunch of pharrell productions.. just give us max martin hun.

Posted by: ſnlᴉɐuo Jun 3 2018, 01:11 PM

So it's confirmed that 'The Light Is Coming (feat. Nicki Minaj)' is coming on June 20th, she performed the first half of the track at Wango Tango!



Sounds like a bop.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 3 2018, 08:57 PM

I'm gonna wait for the proper version before I make my mind up on that, and hope it's better.

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 4 2018, 12:26 AM

I REALLY CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT. I'M PROPER LOVING IT.

Posted by: Dexton Jun 4 2018, 07:42 AM

Drake, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot... this is all sounding so good rn I can’t wait

Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 4 2018, 01:01 PM

Omg Ari better bring it

Posted by: Juan Carlos 🍸 Jun 5 2018, 07:52 PM

Her British Vogue interview mentions that Dua Lipa and Skepta will be on the album too and you could check it https://twitter.com/dagoodshit/status/1003997380025278465.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 6 2018, 06:22 PM

The light is coming is so freaking catchy I can't get it out of my head and wow @Missy Elliot collab this album is going to be awesome .

Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 6 2018, 09:58 PM

The Light Is Coming is coming 20/06 with the album pre-order

Posted by: Cameron Jun 10 2018, 09:56 PM

So they filmed the video today I think!

Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 10 2018, 10:17 PM

I'm already obsessed with the preview, it's definitely song of the year contender

Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 10 2018, 10:27 PM

She said TLIC was already filmed. That must be for single 3.

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 10 2018, 10:57 PM

I feel like it'll be for Nicki's album campaign coz she hinted that there are more collabs with Ari coming!

Posted by: Theo. Jun 11 2018, 12:52 PM

I actually can't at Skepta being featured on this. Why do American musicians obsess over him when the majority of the British public don't care about him? I'd much rather she collaborated with Stormzy/J Hus/Not3s than him.

Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 11 2018, 08:59 PM

Well looks like it was indeed for Nicki's next single!!

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 12 2018, 12:43 AM

Nicki next single is called Bed Ft Ariana

Posted by: John-James Jun 12 2018, 08:26 PM

Part 1 of album cover:

Posted by: Cameron Jun 12 2018, 10:20 PM

omg its gonna be upside down and her first album to not be black and white isn't it?

Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 12 2018, 10:41 PM

The artwork for NTLTC would’ve been a great album cover

Not sure how I feel about the cover being in colour tbh

Posted by: LeeWallace Jun 13 2018, 04:57 PM

So confusing that their labels are allowing them both to release singles with each other as features on the tracks especially so close to each other! Radio will no doubt choose one of the tracks to play on rotation, I can’t see radio playing both heavily!

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 13 2018, 05:01 PM

I'm not even sure if 'The Light Is Coming' is an official single atm. I assumed it was just gonna be the first grat for when the album pre-order goes live?

But the term "single" is so blurred nowadays that it's become a bit of a redundant term.

Posted by: Juliano Jun 13 2018, 05:49 PM

I was assuming it was a promo single too and that God Is A Woman would be the official single, but we will see how it plays out.

Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 16 2018, 06:32 PM

According to her recent twitter the album will available to pre-order in 4 days along with The Light Is Coming.

Posted by: Dexton Jun 17 2018, 12:59 AM

Wait.. Nicki Minaj, Drake, Missy Elliot, Skepta, and Dua Lipa? How long is this album. I hope she has chance to do her own thing between all these guests

Posted by: Theo. Jun 18 2018, 04:16 PM

I think the music video is premiering on the Reebok website on Wednesday

Posted by: Joe. Jun 19 2018, 01:04 PM

The cover is kinda awful...Who told her beige was a good colour to work from!?

Posted by: Joe. Jun 19 2018, 01:04 PM

This sounds so massive, I'm excited.

Posted by: Cremey Jun 19 2018, 01:16 PM

I love it.

Posted by: John-James Jun 19 2018, 02:01 PM

Awful? Talk about exaggerating

Anyway...

I would have preferred the background to be a different colour personally but the photo itself is beautiful

Posted by: Joe. Jun 19 2018, 03:11 PM

It's literally beige, I'm allowed to think it's not nice aesthetically? And I adored the Tears artwork. With amazing artworks from Janelle and Nicki recently, I was hoping for a lot better from Ariana. But the fact I don't think the album cover and title are good don't really matter because she's about to release one of the best albums of the year.

Posted by: Regina Jun 19 2018, 07:48 PM

Awful awful cover. There's no thought or effort in it. They could have made her ponytail fall down, had a background the right way up, ANYTHING to make it not look like someone sneezed on Photoshop and accidentally flipped the picture upside down and not known how to 2sort it.
The font is hideous too.

Posted by: ǝʎʞ Jun 19 2018, 08:23 PM

literally any of the other photos from the vogue shoot would have been better but it's far from the worst cover in existence.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 19 2018, 08:59 PM

Especially when compared to another cover reveal from another female popstar today.

Posted by: Cameron Jun 19 2018, 09:25 PM

I love the cover

Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 19 2018, 09:26 PM

Absolutely love the artwork - stunning!

Posted by: Theo. Jun 19 2018, 09:48 PM

Not as visually striking as her last two covers but as Joe said, it doesn't matter much as she's about to release the album of the year!

It definitely looks like something is up with her right arm though?!

Posted by: LewisGT Jun 19 2018, 10:27 PM

I actually really like the cover

Posted by: Joe. Jun 19 2018, 10:39 PM

I think if she had dark hair in that photo, the colours wouldn’t look as flushed out as much because the contrast would look better but the yellow on yellow just doesn’t work for me.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 19 2018, 10:52 PM

What's the purpose of it being upside down, can anyone confirm?

Posted by: Theo. Jun 19 2018, 10:55 PM

Because her world has been turned upside down since Manchester.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 19 2018, 11:34 PM

Of course.

Posted by: Dexton Jun 20 2018, 01:41 AM

I think she's just turned to the side a bit? I had to turn my laptop upside down but I think she's just dramatically looking away from the camera

Posted by: Juan Carlos 🍸 Jun 20 2018, 04:14 AM

Out on August 17.

Posted by: Liаm Jun 20 2018, 05:14 AM

What the f*** is that guy shouting throughout the song in the background.... Brings the song down for sure :/ Hopefully I just get used to it and tune that out but it sounds like something that would be on an anti-piracy version of a song in 2008...

Otherwise, a BANGER. It sounds like what Fergie should/would have come back with if she followed up Double Dutchess in the right time at the right way

Posted by: Joe. Jun 20 2018, 06:39 AM

It bops!

Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 20 2018, 06:39 AM

Omg it’s awful

Posted by: Joe. Jun 20 2018, 06:41 AM

Bit of a mean way to talk about Nicki Minaj

Posted by: Dexton Jun 20 2018, 07:21 AM

It’s so Fergie this is what the real Fergie x Nicki song should’ve heen

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 20 2018, 07:56 AM

LOVE IT.

However, it's not one I will be binge listening to as I'm finding it a bit too repetitive to have on repeat. I think the "the light is coming" hook, goes on for about 3 lines too long

Posted by: danG Jun 20 2018, 07:57 AM

the beat reminds me of 'Lemon' which I really wasn't expecting from an Ariana single. another good song from her anyhow, really liking this era of hers so far.

edit; just found that it was produced by Pharrell so maybe the 'Lemon' similarities shouldn't be that much of a surprise lol

Posted by: Jordan Lee Jun 20 2018, 08:08 AM

Not so keen on first listen the voice is a bit distracting and I’m not a huge Nicki fan anyways but it doesn’t do much for me Good to see her trying something new though can see this being a big streaming hit but less of a sales hit than NTLTC.

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 20 2018, 08:14 AM

I'm very surprised Nicki isn't featured more on the song. She literally only opens it? I think I'd have preferred a Nicki section over another "the light is coming" repeated over section in the song tbh.

Posted by: John-James Jun 20 2018, 08:40 AM

I hate this, I hope it’s not a single after the incredible NTLTC

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 20 2018, 09:30 AM

Fooking HORRIBLE. What a way to follow-up NTLTC. What the hell is this?

None of the charm Ariana's previous single featuring Nicki had either.

Posted by: blacksquare Jun 20 2018, 09:41 AM

Have to agree with some of you - this is disappointing.

The vocal sample on loop becomes irritating after a while. I don't usually have an issue with her enunciation but the verses, with no help from the prominent sample, sound like jargle.

Nicki should have been the middle eight as well as the back half just drags. I feel like the song could have popped off way more but the production is just flat.

Posted by: Joe. Jun 20 2018, 10:19 AM

Hate? Talk about exaggerating

Anyway...

(JK )

I do see he criticisms of this song, I feel like it’s a little longer than it needs to be and would have worked more as like an interlude or something. Nicki’s rap should come later into the song and the last chorus should have a bigger kick of tempo and production similar to Bon Appetit.

I do like it though!

Posted by: mdh Jun 20 2018, 10:31 AM

Really disliking the direction she's going in, this is SO poor.

Posted by: Bitch Jun 20 2018, 10:37 AM

Hello where is y'all seeing this video????

Posted by: Juliano Jun 20 2018, 10:44 AM

Oh well this in full is a let down. For me if it is a single it's definitely her most annoying.

Posted by: jjake Jun 20 2018, 10:59 AM

that ‘you wouldn’t let anybody speak’ sample looping in the background is incredibly jarring and distracts from the song

i’d actively say this is a terrible song! oh ariana

Posted by: Dexton Jun 20 2018, 11:02 AM

Well


I love it

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 20 2018, 11:04 AM

I'm still confident the album will be good and this is just a nadir/blip.

Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 20 2018, 11:23 AM

Well I like the song but still feel disappointed in it (maybe it can grow?)

Posted by: LewisGT Jun 20 2018, 11:23 AM

I love this. I'm glad we've got a really upbeat song from her. Does remind me of Lemon too.

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 20 2018, 11:23 AM

She has more Max Martin tracks I believe so there will be some pop goodness left!

I'm of the exact same opinion that Joe has. It'd be one of those interludes that people would beg for a full length version, but only was only ever intended as an interlude.

Ultimately this needed more Nicki and a final chorus switch up/tempo change. But for now, I'm liking it. But I'm sure I'll get sick of it the more I hear it.

Posted by: Regina Jun 20 2018, 11:57 AM

Utterly diabolical. I normally like her music but so far that's two bad songs from her.

Posted by: Defaze Jun 20 2018, 12:46 PM

There's a decent enough song in there somewhere, but that sample is wayyyy too jarring for it to be enjoyable. I could barely even focus on the lyrics because of how prominent it is.

Posted by: Liаm Jun 20 2018, 01:09 PM

Yeah it really does sound like an interlude actually It's great in essence, but it certainly shouldn't be a single. I agree with Jonjo I don't think it's one I'll spam and keep going back to, it's not really growing with more listens for me... After such a stunning song as No Tears Left To Cry which struck the exact right balance, this is a bit of a disappointment to say the least. Even just removing the bloody sample would help, but they could also replace some of the repetitiveness with more Nicki. It's a shame because I love the style of the song for Ari but it doesn't quite all come together.

At least in this day and age artists can test instant grats and hopefully when this doesn't take off they can move onto something better.

Posted by: Cameron Jun 20 2018, 01:37 PM

Aw man this is not what I was wanting. FFS Ari

Posted by: Dexton Jun 20 2018, 02:15 PM

The more I listen the more I like it tbh. I'm also 99% sure this was originally meant for N.E.R.D's album for the following reasons:

- The sample is from a 2009 confrontation between a man and Senator Arlen Spector, the same Senator who's “Wait a minute” line was sampled in Lemon

- The beat itself is Pharrel all over, but particularly would fit in with a lot of the songs from no_one_ever_really_dies. Not just Lemon either: Lifting You and Kites spring to mind.
- Repetition was a huge thing for that album too. Whilst it's not everyones piece of cake, their whole message was drilled into your head time after time and Ariana talking about light taking over the darkness (paired with the sample) is as political as it gets

It was more than likely changed to suit her album better - removing Pharrel's vocals (if any), switching up some lyrics to be more personal to her, etc. NERD's album was a long time in the making so I wouldn't be surprised if they were working on this before the whole Manchester incident but decided afterwards that Ari was best kept off the album

edit: also that video is f***ing hilarious

Posted by: ǝʎʞ Jun 20 2018, 02:52 PM

i told y’all.. this is not what we want.. f*ck pharrell

Posted by: Josh! Jun 20 2018, 03:17 PM

Sounds like a Fergie album track :/

It is growing slightly after listening a fair few times but it's such a huge step down in quality from NTLTC unfortunately

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jun 20 2018, 03:18 PM

The looped sample is heinous, what an awful production choice! I can't see myself going back to this one much.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 20 2018, 03:23 PM

Too much is going on with the song I hope it's a grower

Posted by: LB1108 Jun 20 2018, 04:04 PM

I mean, at best, it’s not bad, maybe a 7/10 at a PUSH.

But that random talking in the background literally puts me off it so much, I’m not sure I can even bring myself to listen to it again... it actually gave me anxiety

Posted by: Joe. Jun 20 2018, 06:28 PM

Ways this song could have been improved:

1) Move Nicki’s rap to later in the song / add another rap near the end.
2) Cut down in the sample. If they wanted to send a message by using it, just use it nearer the start of the song, having it looked throughout the entire song is just irritating and distracting.
3) Have the production build nearer the end of the song, build up to a tempo change the way Bon Appetit does at the end.

It’s a shame because i feel like the song has the potential, with some tweaks to be a 10/10.

Posted by: Bitch Jun 20 2018, 06:45 PM

This is very Fergie, especially in the chorus

Ari truly is the queen of samples

Posted by: Cucumberella Jun 20 2018, 06:56 PM

christ

The Shite Is Coming

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 20 2018, 07:02 PM

My hopes and expectations were lowered when I saw the live clip the other day.

I was hoping that was misrepresenting how bad it is.

Posted by: Jαsє Jun 20 2018, 07:24 PM

repetitive doesn't cover it!

Posted by: Euphorique Jun 20 2018, 07:25 PM

Easily her worst single for me. It's just bad.

Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 20 2018, 07:42 PM

Absolute banger

You all need to clean your ears out wtf

Posted by: Klaus Jun 20 2018, 07:48 PM

Repeating the same 5 second sample throughout the entire song is one of the biggest lows in music for me. As an example, ‘4:44’ irritates the life out of me

Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 20 2018, 07:57 PM

4:44 is also a banger, Klaus....

Posted by: The Snake Jun 20 2018, 09:11 PM

Well this is great I think! I really like it! Very different to anything else in the charts atm.

And I love the use of the sample and don't find it annoying!

Posted by: Cody💧Slayberry Jun 20 2018, 09:25 PM

Well this has Pharrell written all over it. It’s basically a carbon copy of Lemon

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 21 2018, 12:55 AM

The promo video is kinda cool and she looks so cute

Posted by: Dexton Jun 21 2018, 02:06 AM

You people are hating on it because its not a basic pop song like we're used to from her x

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 21 2018, 02:18 AM

G0rl don't even go there!!!!! NTLTC most certainly is not basic

Posted by: Jüpiter Jun 21 2018, 05:00 AM

Shite and the video is the epitome of low-effort, wow. Talk about a momentum killer.

Posted by: Joe. Jun 21 2018, 09:03 AM

Yeah Tears was quite out there actually for a chart song!

Posted by: Atonement Jun 21 2018, 09:31 AM

This sounds like something I would normally enjoy but it's not clicking with me.. yet.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 21 2018, 03:35 PM

This is not the official video

Posted by: Jonjo Jun 21 2018, 04:45 PM

Ariana has confirmed that TLIC is a promo single (it was never announced as the 2nd single either, btw). So I'm really not bothered about it's chart performance (good job really 🙃)

Posted by: Neil Jun 21 2018, 05:32 PM

Easily the worst thing she's recorded since Put Your Hearts Up.

Posted by: Jack Jun 21 2018, 05:43 PM

As much as I do like this (would like it 10x more if it didn't have the stupid 'You wouldn't let anybody speak' loop), I'm so glad it isn't an official single as her single discography is near flawless and this would taint it in a big way.

Posted by: Liаm Jun 21 2018, 05:46 PM

Phew, good I don't hate it as much as everyone else but it would be such a mistake as a single to say the least!

Posted by: LeeWallace Jun 21 2018, 06:12 PM

Pharrell is an awful songwriter and producer, I can’t stand anything he’s been involved with!

Posted by: Jordan Lee Jun 21 2018, 09:26 PM

Still sounds like Clumsy by Fergie too me but it’s not growing much on me at all.

Posted by: danG Jun 21 2018, 09:32 PM

I enjoy the song but it's probably for the best this won't be getting an actual push.
and yes, we really could use a version without the guy shouting in the background.
hopefully it is still a top 40 hit though.

Posted by: Jade Jun 21 2018, 10:53 PM

I can understand why the sample is hindering this for people, but I got used to it really quickly and am really liking this *.* the chorus is pretty infectious, SO Fergie mixed with 'Lemon' as has been pointed out, which is a great thing for me! Probably best that this is just a promo single though, not sure if it would properly take off.

Posted by: Euphorique Jun 22 2018, 01:35 PM

Me neither. Everything he touches in the last 10 years seems to be something I immediately dislike. Sangria Wine is another example

Posted by: Atonement Jun 22 2018, 07:47 PM

I'm kind of bopping.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jun 22 2018, 07:50 PM

Sweetener Fan Box:

https://store.universalmusic.com/arianagrande/*/*/Sweetener-Fan-CD-Box/5W8Z0000000

https://dvfnvgxhycwzf.cloudfront.net/media/SharedImage/imageFull/.f1H8wiQW/SharedImage-82465.jpg?t=a66db592dd764c113dac

Sweetener CD
4x Poloroid style prints
6x art cards
1x Poster
1x temporary tattoo sheet
1x Pop socket

I really don't need this... but I want it *.* Mainly for the prints, art cards and poster.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 22 2018, 08:21 PM

Is it bad that I genuinely didn't know what a pop socket was before now?

Seems like a relatively pointless invention.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jun 22 2018, 09:29 PM

Today was also my introduction to pop sockets!

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 23 2018, 12:57 AM

I don't know pop sockets either

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 25 2018, 09:02 PM

I'm lovin it now

Posted by: Theo. Jun 26 2018, 11:24 AM

"Raindrops" preview on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BkeT6-RnfIU/

Stunning

Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 26 2018, 12:47 PM

Her vocals there OMFG Amazing

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 26 2018, 09:46 PM

I had no idea her vocals were THAT good.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 27 2018, 12:55 AM

Perfection

Posted by: Liаm Jun 27 2018, 01:03 PM

That sounds INCREDIBLE, her voice is stunning

I had a dream the album came out and The Light Is Coming was a totally different song and the first one was a troll if only tbh

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jun 27 2018, 04:01 PM

LMAO

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jul 10 2018, 09:27 AM

'The Light Is Coming' has grown after one of my friends kept playing it over the weekend.

Still very glad it's not the official second single though.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Jul 13 2018, 07:24 PM

Really intrigued to see what the tracks we haven’t heard are like!! Everything’s been so opposite to what’ I imagined initially off titles alone. Like what I’m hearing NTLTC and GIAW are straight up smashes. The Light Is Coming is OK but glad it’s not a single.

Posted by: Theo. Jul 18 2018, 09:56 PM

Tracklist is slowly being posted on @sweetener on Instagram:

1. "Raindrops"
2. "Blazed"
3. "The Light Is Coming"
4. "REM"
5. "God Is a Woman"
6. "Sweetener"
7. "Successful"
8. "Everytime"
9. "Breathin"
10. "No Tears Left to Cry"
11. "Borderline"

The final five(?) songs should be announced today and tomorrow.

Posted by: blacksquare Jul 19 2018, 08:42 AM

So the album starts with REM

The Light Is Coming who

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Jul 19 2018, 02:39 PM

I knew Raindrops was going to be the first track

Posted by: Theo. Jul 20 2018, 10:28 AM

Full tracklist:

1. "Raindrops"
2. "Blazed"
3. "The Light Is Coming"
4. "REM"
5. "God Is a Woman"
6. "Sweetener"
7. "Successful"
8. "Everytime"
9. "Breathin"
10. "No Tears Left to Cry"
11. "Borderline"
12. "Better Off"
13. "Goodnight N Go"
14. "Pete"
15. "Get Well Soon"

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jul 20 2018, 10:30 AM

Please tell me 'Borderline' is a Madonna cover.

Posted by: HarryEzra Jul 20 2018, 10:30 AM

I'm guessing Pete is about her Fiancé then??

Posted by: Cremey Jul 20 2018, 11:02 AM

‘Goodnight and Go’ is the title of an Imogen Heap song, who she also mentioned in the Madonna tweet, so maybe she’s covered that and ‘Borderline’? Love ‘Goodnight and Go’ so much so it’ll be great to hear what she does with that.

Posted by: Theo. Jul 20 2018, 11:02 AM

"it's a special song ab the most special human being i've eva met. also the song is sick."

"he's my fiancé. this is my album. 🖖 i'm an honest & emotional artist & human being and if my openness in my work isn't for u, that's ok i won't be offended. ♡ still wishing y'all all the love in the world. p.s. these 3 are really beautiful. i know i said i don't have favorites but these and r.e.m. are really up there. have a great night."

"i can't wait for y'all to hear these songs and to fall in love yourselves ♡ wishing u all so much happiness."

Posted by: blacksquare Jul 20 2018, 11:38 AM

Sounds like it!

I loved that song so much back in the day.

Posted by: Cremey Jul 20 2018, 12:16 PM

Yeah, definitely the same song then!
It’s used in Harry Potter & the Cursed Child too, which Imogen did the soundtrack/score for.

Posted by: UltraReputation Jul 20 2018, 01:19 PM

Yeah she confirmed goodnight & go as an Imogen heap cover a while ago! I think iirc she said she's doing her own spin on it or something!

Posted by: Theo. Aug 1 2018, 09:41 AM

"R.E.M." was originally recorded by Beyoncé! Apparently her demo, "Wake Up", leaked last year but Ariana has reworked it for the album.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 1 2018, 12:24 PM

Hymn For The Weekend-style backing vocals pretty please Or like the gospel part of God Is A Woman but with Beyoncé leading *.*

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 2 2018, 02:32 PM

Nicki is now releasing her album on the same day. Still feel Ariana will get the UK number one but could she miss out on the US top spot now?

Position aside though I’m sure the album will be her best yet and the sales will probably be her biggest yet at least in the UK.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 2 2018, 03:46 PM

I'm pretty sure Nicki couldn't pose a real threat to Ariana in 2018.

Posted by: NellyEverySundae Aug 2 2018, 05:40 PM

In the US, I think it will be a close one. Ariana has never had a massive first-week US sales tally but with NTLTC having gone top 5 this time, she could probably contend with 200k. Nicki might come down from her last album so i’m thinking around 200k for her too.

Nicki doesn’t hold a candle to Ariana in the UK though.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Aug 4 2018, 02:46 AM

The box set has sold out on her European store and I hadn't got around to pre-ordering it!

Posted by: Juliano Aug 4 2018, 09:47 PM

The Light Is Coming literally grew on me just now. Still hate the shouting in the background and that won't change.

Posted by: LeeWallace Aug 7 2018, 10:47 PM

I’m actually surprised with how non eventful this era seems. I can’t help but think ‘God Is A Women’ has almost killed a fair amount of hype for the album. It’s doing okay on UK Spotify but it’s rather low on USA Spotify, very low on airplay and low on iTunes.

I honestly expected her biggest era to date following ‘One Last Time’ and Manchester, I do still think the album will go to number one, just not with the sales or the steadyness I expected!

Posted by: Eleni Aug 8 2018, 12:42 AM

?

She’s doing amazingly well! No Tears is one of the biggest hits of the year globally!

Posted by: Liаm Aug 8 2018, 02:17 AM

Get Well Soon is about Manchester, not ready

Posted by: Juliano Aug 8 2018, 08:46 AM

I'm ready for some snippets, artists don't tend to do that anymore, the next 9 days are going to drag.

Posted by: HarryEzra Aug 8 2018, 09:23 AM

Apparently the length is 5:22 which is the date of the Manchester attack

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 8 2018, 09:26 AM

GAHHHH! REALLY NOT READY!

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 8 2018, 09:32 AM

I think she's absolutely fine in terms of being set up for a pretty big era. To my mind, 'God is a Woman' is a success for her and I'm sure she can get post-album hits.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Aug 8 2018, 02:02 PM

God is a Woman is not everyone cup of tea But I'm sure the album will be great and will do great .

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 11 2018, 07:15 PM

I managed to pre-order it. So excited.

I also bought access to the release party live-stream too. Can't wait for next week

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 11 2018, 07:46 PM

The Sweetener boxset is available to order through HMV website btw!

Posted by: ǝʎʞ Aug 11 2018, 09:37 PM

omg jonjo you legend, i thought i’d missed out on that! tysm.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 13 2018, 12:50 PM

4 days to go

Posted by: Quartonworks Aug 13 2018, 05:19 PM

Cant wait Really hope it lives up to expectations!

Posted by: Juliano Aug 15 2018, 11:01 PM

Less than 24 hours to go people!!

Posted by: George.keh Aug 16 2018, 09:54 PM

What time is this out in the UK

Posted by: Liаm Aug 16 2018, 09:59 PM

5am I think ffs

Posted by: Juliano Aug 16 2018, 11:05 PM

Oh FFS I'm so sad now. I just planned my whole night around this bloody album.

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 02:11 AM

Is anyone else staying up for this?

Livestream in less than an hour

Posted by: Liаm Aug 17 2018, 02:17 AM

Yep waiting for release patiently, not heard great things so far about the album but I've liked everything so far (loved the two actual singles) so I'm still perched!

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 02:35 AM

I’m glad I’m not alone then

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 04:02 AM

On Spotify now *.* yas

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 04:14 AM

Can't believe I'm finally listening to it.

Raindrops was nice and Blazed is sounding like a bit of a tune.

Posted by: Liаm Aug 17 2018, 04:23 AM

listening now.... R.E.M. Is lushhhh, such a jam <3 The title track is pretty terrible though :/ It sounds like Pharrell found a Yours Truly demo and mangled it.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 04:25 AM

breathin is #1 on NMF here so I imagine that'll be a single

*.*

The run of breathin -> no tears left to cry -> borderline is 10/10

Posted by: Liаm Aug 17 2018, 04:36 AM

BREATHIN OH MY f***ING GOD ASDHDJFKDDJ

I've got a few tracks left but that's definitely the pop hit.

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 04:39 AM

I'm now up to breathin and it really does sound like a smash.

Little bit obsessed with successful too.

Posted by: Liаm Aug 17 2018, 04:58 AM

Ok I'm done...

Really like the album on first listen, I came to terms with the fact it wasn't gonna be full of pop smashes in the way DW was, its bothering me how many people I have seen complaining because it isn't Dangerous Woman II... She isn't going to come out with the exact same thing, she is growing, just because it isn't full of pop bangers and it might take a few listens to fully pop out doesn't mean it's bad

It feels like it's brimming with her artistry and ideas, rather than just taking an easy route. R.E.M. and Breathin' are easily the highlights alongside of course the two singles, there's definitely few slow burners that will creep up such as Blazin' and Bordeline which are bops. The only one I dislike is the title track but Get Well Soon is quite disappointing, the 30 seconds of silence at the end is a lovely touch though and I get what she's trying to do instead of being a weepy obviously about Manchester ballad.

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 05:00 AM

Finished it now and it's a beautiful album.

Maybe not quite as instant as her previous couple but still has some massive highlights.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 05:08 AM

Breathin and Goodnight n go are my faves on first listen, Successful and R.E.M will definitely grow on me

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 05:13 AM

I haven't seen anyone complaining about it to much though, Sweetener seems to be the least liked album track which is a shame considering it's the title track

I'm very happy with the direction she's gone in now that we've heard the album. She could have easily made My Everything or Dangerous Woman again and got a load of hits from it but this feels like a much more natural route for her to take, both as a young artist on her 4th studio album and as an artist coming back from the Manchester incident that has clearly matured her.

Posted by: Quartonworks Aug 17 2018, 05:34 AM

Breathing is a bop! Also love Everytime and surprisingly, Blazed

Posted by: digitalking Aug 17 2018, 05:41 AM

This album is INCREDIBLE! I've never clicked with one of her albums so quickly - she's outdone herself and this is brimming with artistry.

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 17 2018, 07:16 AM

I'm split on this album. I'm up to 'borderline' and although I like it, I'm feeling a bit "eh" about it. My problem isn't the songs themselves, I just think Pharrell has had a hand in a few too many tracks. Can you imagine the melody of the chorus in 'sweetener' (I think) in a Max Martin song?! Kind of similar issues I have with Justin's 'Man Of The Woods' album in all honesty.

Basically Pharrell just needs to FO 🙃

But yeah. I like it, but don't love it at the moment. 'breathin' comes at the a right time though (which I guess is what makes it so special)

I'll probs end up adoring this in a few more listens time once initial reactions have settled in on me, just like MOTW did.

Posted by: Cremey Aug 17 2018, 07:34 AM

Ariana to do a whole album of Imogen Heap covers pls 😭
goodnight n go is perfect.
I thought it’d be a straight cover so I’m glad she’s switched it up a bit. It works so so well 😭😭😭

Posted by: John-James Aug 17 2018, 07:44 AM

Wow what a let down The two singles really are the highlights, huh?

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 17 2018, 07:57 AM

I feel the same. My heart feels a little warmer this morning listening to it.

Although I also feel old.

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 17 2018, 08:01 AM

This album is going to take me a while to process. Pharrell can just be so heavy-handed and stomaching almost an entire album of him is a task. Raindrops into Blazed and then into The Light Is Coming is a head-scratcher.

I do like the vibe of the album and how it seems like a grown-up Yours Truly though. We'll see.

Posted by: ǝʎʞ Aug 17 2018, 08:04 AM

i’d made peace with the fact that she wouldn’t be making another dangerous woman-style pop album when we heard the first 3 tracks but a little part of me was hoping she’d sneak a basic bop in for us.

she didn’t.

the only things to keep for me are ‘everytime’ & ‘breathin’ + the singles (not tlic).


the album is very much the label letting her “express her artistry” but for me it just got a little samey after 15 songs.
the pharrell songs are trash + have really pulled the album down. they stand out like a sore thumb because on an album that’s supposed to be a progression, those songs are dragging her back to 2013 as he obviously doesn’t know how to produce anything else.

the hip hop beat isn’t a new sound from her, as such, because she gave us hints of it on dangerous woman but it’s strange that we’ve been given an album of it.

it will probably grow but i guarantee you that this will nowhere close to smash because it will be a shock for the gp.
+ when it’s not what they’re expecting, the word of mouth will spread + casuals will think “oh, i won’t bother then”.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 17 2018, 08:21 AM

Blazed is the best from the first half of the album. R.E.M is nice, I can still hear Beyoncé, don't think that's an issue though. I have to say Sweetener (the song) will take a lot of growing, not a big fan of that one. Successful I found dull on first listen but sounds like it could grow on me. Everytime is great, could be on Dangerous Woman. Breathin is the best nonsingle on the album for me. Just when I thought the album was getting amazing Borderline happened, like the vibe but it's so toneless. Love Missy always. Better Off picks up the better second half of the album, it's pretty. Goodnight n Go was a good idea, really suits hers, even if it is quite different to the original and she sounds bliss In Pete and Get Well Soon. I give the album 7/10.

Highlights:
No Tears Left To Cry
God Is A Woman
Blazed
Everytime
Breathin

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 09:16 AM

I feel like NTLTC should’ve been track #2 after Raindrops, then blazed etc etc

Posted by: Juliano Aug 17 2018, 09:22 AM

Must agree with this actually.

Also forgot to add Wake Up... sorry R.E.M to my highlights, second listen speaks louder, Breathin still slaying me.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 17 2018, 09:41 AM

I must admit Sweetener was my favourite AT until she turned into a Bop It

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 17 2018, 10:17 AM

I feel like the whole tracklist needs shuffling tbh. Were the Pharrell tracks part done before the Manchester attack do we think? Coz the Max tracks definitely came after and I feel like sonically that album woulda been stronger. I wouldn't have minded waiting a few more months for her to finish a Max album tbh.

Posted by: Calum Aug 17 2018, 10:46 AM

Gave this a listen this morning, and the second half of the album is definitely a lot stronger than the first. 'God is a woman' is fantastic, but I feel like the album doesn't really get going until 'breathin' (bop!). Definitely lots of room to grow as time goes on.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 17 2018, 11:37 AM

R.E.M., Everytime, Breathin, Better Off and Goodnight n Go are my faves

Sounds like Yours Trulys follow up too me. Like a more grown up version of that album.

The beat of R.E.M. as well sort of reminds me of Soldier destiny’s child I don’t know why the songs aren’t really alike but production wise they feel similar.

Posted by: Atonement Aug 17 2018, 11:42 AM

This is extremely underwhelming for me.

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 17 2018, 11:49 AM

Why is 'goodnight n go' not the last track? So beautiful and would've been even better as the final song.

Posted by: Esmerelda Aug 17 2018, 12:12 PM

This was...a very long 47 minutes. Don't think I will be giving any of the Pharrell tracks a 2nd listen.

Posted by: SKepner Aug 17 2018, 01:01 PM

On my first listen and I don't like how NTLTC is so far down the tracklist. I know tracklisting seems like a nickity thing to pick at but the album is far too similar when listening through.

Posted by: Liаm Aug 17 2018, 01:09 PM

I agree about the track list too, it doesn't flow in the best way it could. I think the closer should maybe have been a full version of Raindrops or Goodnight n Go. The sentiment of GWS being 5:22 and the silence at the end is a lovely sentiment and a way to pay tribute to Manchester without being forced too much but I just can't help but think she needn't have bothered with how disappointing the song is as a whole...

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 17 2018, 01:46 PM

I feel the same way, especially in comparison to Thinking Bout You and what a perfect closer that was.

Posted by: Cameron Aug 17 2018, 01:48 PM

The only track I am not mad on is Blazin (TLIC would be fab without the sample too)

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 17 2018, 01:48 PM

Raindrops into Blazed is definitely the most confusing for me. It just seems like such an odd choice to open the album with, especially when Pharrell starts the track too. Raindrops into an extended (with the intro from the video) No Tears Left to Cry would have been quite something.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 17 2018, 04:00 PM

Well Breathin is smashing iTunes worldwide, so here's me hoping it's next single by default!

Posted by: LeeWallace Aug 17 2018, 04:34 PM

Why is breathin doing so well worldwide?

Posted by: Neil Aug 17 2018, 04:39 PM

This. For me, the first half the album mostly sounds like rejects from My Everything. Rather disappointing.

Posted by: Joe. Aug 17 2018, 05:10 PM

I’m....

I hate when people judge an album too soon but I’m on my 6th listen and I feel like I’m trying to force myself to love the album but it’s just kinda...whelming. Lots of ‘cute’ songs but for where she is in her career I was expecting more moments. I don’t necessarily need big pop bangers but just songs that grab your attention a bit more.

Posted by: NellyEverySundae Aug 17 2018, 05:22 PM

I’m really disappointed with this album! I don’t think I’m going to be able to come back to the first half after today and there are only about 5 songs I really enjoy at the moment (two of which are singles).

Really gutted considering how underwhelming I expected ‘Dangerous Woman’ and ‘My Everything’ to be before release but was absolutely over the moon with the sheer quality on both during the first listen-through.

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 17 2018, 05:24 PM

Because it’s a smash

Posted by: TR252 Aug 17 2018, 05:29 PM

I'm with you on some of the track order comments but I'm really enjoying this album. Breathin is absolutely stunning.

Posted by: JAKE Aug 17 2018, 05:30 PM

what a pile of TUT. god knows why anybody would put pharrell as the central producer of their album; the whole thing feels very incongruous and wishy washy.

i feel she works much better with max martins team and this whole record is a boring misstep


a shame

Posted by: JAKE Aug 17 2018, 05:31 PM

also ‘breathin’ is okay but could be by anybody could be singing it, it’s quite faceless; you can’t say the same about her bigger hits prior

‘no tears left to cry’ is FAR AND AWAY the best song on this record

Posted by: Jüpiter Aug 17 2018, 05:37 PM

Where's the Dua Lipa collab?!

Just starting to listen now and wow, someone somewhere really though Pharrell was gonna be hot shit again this year didn't they? That opener is really dull after the short intro.

God is a Woman would've been a good opener or No Tears imo.

I think I'm falling the same place as Joe on this. I'm whelmed but after all the reaching for A-List she's been doing, this album says content to be a B-list pop girl.

I had thought this might be her In The Zone.

Posted by: JAKE Aug 17 2018, 05:43 PM

it’s for dua’s album and also a TERRIBLE idea

Posted by: ǝʎʞ Aug 17 2018, 06:42 PM

what is most upsetting about this is these are just literally textbook pharrell productions.

i swear, i thought marilyn monroe was starting like 3 times.. it’s so bad.

everytime + breathing stand out by miles because they’re from a team who know how to write + produce a song.
just imagine an album of that. i just can’t see how the label heard the album + thought it was a passable follow-up.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 17 2018, 06:54 PM

I really, really like 'Marilyn Monroe' by Pharrell standards!

If I'm honest, I've gone straight for 'Breathin' so far (I'll get around to the rest over the weekend) and I found it really quite dull. Maybe it'll grow?

I really want to believe I'll enjoy this album, as the last one was such a masterpiece and I adore both singles.

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 17 2018, 07:02 PM

I feel like this is a better tracklist order.

1. "Raindrops"
2. "No Tears Left to Cry"
3. "God Is a Woman"
4. "Blazed"
5. "The Light Is Coming"
6. "REM"
7. "Breathin"
8. "Borderline"
9. "Sweetener"
10. "Successful"
11. "Everytime"
12. "Pete Davidson"
13. "Better Off"
14. "Get Well Soon"
15. "Goodnight N Go"

Also, I feel like I kinda have an advantage over people (due to being in the minority of those actually enjoying MOTW)... But this is growing on me, but just like MOTW there's a definitely a sense of underwhelm with it (you can tell Pharrell did both those projects at the same time). It's heartbreaking coz NTLTC is literally one of the best pop songs of the past few years, imo. And knowing that she was working with Max and his team makes it 10x worse.

I really feel like working with Pharrell was a contractual obligation of some sort (as in, signed a deal with him before the Manchester attacks - wasn't she due back in the studio more or less after the tour? ) and the Max stuff came about quite recently?

But anywayyyyy... I'm loving 'sweetener' a lot at the moment. That melody is so lush.

Posted by: kye Aug 17 2018, 07:18 PM

yeah, it was good (for him).. in 2013!

Posted by: Cody Salton Aug 17 2018, 07:35 PM

I was literally sitting here and thought "this album is a bunch of N.E.R.D rejects but if I sat through Man Of The Woods despite it sounding like a bunch of Timbaland rejects then I can get through this"

Everything after The Light Is Coming has been a literal eargasm and for the most part fits the overall ambience of the album

Posted by: Joe. Aug 17 2018, 07:36 PM

Gah, I actually feel sad we have to wait for ages for new music now. I anticipated this for so long and there’s not a huge amount I want to keep.

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 17 2018, 09:29 PM

2013?

You could go back another ten years and I doubt his production has changed much.

Posted by: John-James Aug 17 2018, 10:15 PM

I'm exactly the same. Feels like the era and been and gone in a flash now that I'm not feeling the album.

Posted by: LeeWallace Aug 17 2018, 10:24 PM

This really is such a disappointing album.

A lot of Grande fans are going in on Pharrell on Twitter, I’m not a fan of Pharrell in the slightest or his work! Although he did have some good production on ‘Bangerz’.

Posted by: kye Aug 17 2018, 10:32 PM

it’s the album she should have been allowed to make next.
this was her chance to fully cement herself as the #1 pop girl + she doesn’t deliver a pop album?

i’m with you guys that are disappointed. it’s when i think about what it could have been.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 17 2018, 10:36 PM

Longer review now I’ve fully heard the non singles more and the album as a whole.

So... Sweetener the song sounds so Yours Truly as does Successful.


After listening three times now I’m feeling it more than some on here it’s nice and I enjoy some of it a lot. It’s how I imagined her second album to sound though it sounds like the follow up to Yours Truly too me. Sorry I’ve said this before but it’s just my personal thought. However I don’t regard that as a bad thing as I feel like this album is something she’s happy with herself and isn’t something a label put together she’s definitely had her own input and ideas on this and it’s showed.

I can see what others mean about tracklisting but I often change the order of songs on my iTunes library so that’s not a big deal too me.

There’s subtle moments what grow though it’s not in your face instant pop bangers but there’s little moments what are going round in my head from certain tracks. Like the harmonies in Goodnight n Go, and REM for instance.

Also I think if she came back with Dangerous Woman 2.0 or an album that was ballad heavy it would’ve been predictable so it’s good that she’s went in another direction and experimented.

R.E.M. and Breathin sound like the most likely singles too me.

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2018, 10:39 PM

I fully love this now. Shame to see it's getting a slightly underwhelming reaction.

I do understand disliking Pharrell's production. He certainly has a very distinctive sound that he rarely varies from but fortunately I've always been a fan. He has some absolute classics in his back catalogue.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 17 2018, 11:01 PM

I’m with you on this one! I’ve always liked Pharrell and he’s brought out her versatility to showcase her voice in different genres on this record. I have a feeling the album will grow on people if they give it a chance though.

It feels like when I first heard Rihanna’s ANTi and I thought wtf on first listen then it got better and better after

Posted by: UltraReputation Aug 17 2018, 11:12 PM

Yeah I'm so disappointed with this I'm not a fan in the slightest of Pharrell and all his production blends into one forgettable and dull mix for me in general and my worries in him being so prominent on this album came true It's not a dreadful album, I only strongly dislike a couple of songs, but most of it is just meh and does nothing for me.

At least I got one of my fave songs of the past few years in NTLTC and I love Breathin/God Is A Woman and I'm here for Everytime/Goodnight n go. Hopefully others will grow but I strongly doubt it I also love raindrops, I just wish it was a full song.

Posted by: Atonement Aug 18 2018, 08:43 AM

I think Pharell has great songs and the songs that he did with Britney for example are some of my favorites in her discography ('Boys' & 'I'm a Slave 4 U'), but this is 2018 and it just doesn't really work that well anymore + Ariana can't really sell tracks like that as hard as she tries.

I actually really enjoyed N.E.R.D's album last year but these songs feel like Pharell by numbers again.

'God is a Woman' and 'No Tears Left to Cry' are the only songs I want to keep.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 18 2018, 10:10 AM

The album needed 'My Way', instead of maybe Successful or Sweetener.

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Aug 18 2018, 10:10 AM

The album is perfect. It actually feels like the album I was expecting us to get after ‘christmas & chill’. Highlights are ‘rem’, ‘everytime’, ‘goodnight n go’ and ‘breathin’. ‘Light is coming’ is the only song I cant get into.

Posted by: Slick Aug 18 2018, 10:13 AM

I listened to this last night expecting to be underwhelmed (only because of the general online reaction), but I really enjoyed it! It's no 'Dangerous Woman' but there are some choons and Ariana's voice elevates anything she sings. 'Breathin' is my fave apart from the singles - it HAS to be a single at some point.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 18 2018, 10:26 AM

3. God is a Woman
5. Breathin
12. No Tears Left to Cry
22. Sweetener
23. R.E.M
25. Raindrops (An Angel Cried)
27. Everytime
32. Blazed ft. Pharrell Williams
38. Pete Davidson
40. Successful
42. Goodnight n Go
46. The Light is Coming ft. Nicki Minaj
47. Better Off
50. Get Well Soon
51. Borderline ft. Missy Elliott

Spotify takeover

Posted by: Slick Aug 18 2018, 11:16 AM

My rank of songs on second listen (I reserve the right to completely change my mind)

The bottom half is quite forgettable for me at this stage.

1. No Tears Left To Cry
2. God Is A Woman
3. Breathin
4. Sweetener
5. Successful
6. R.E.M
7. Borderline
8. Blazed
9. The Light Is Coming
10. Goodnight n go
11. Everytime
12. Better Off
13. Get Well Soon
14. Pete Davidson

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 18 2018, 11:17 AM

GIAW and Breathin top 5? Amazing. I'm so happy with those Spotify numbers!!

Edit: also 4th listen in, I'm really enjoying this album.

Posted by: Jüpiter Aug 18 2018, 11:23 AM

Agree with this 100%

Also especially in the UK she had a real chance to capitalize on Manchester (as awful as that sounds) raising her profile and exposing her to a much wider audience. I can't believe there's not one safe pop song here that could've been a bona fide MOR hit, something along the lines of One Last Time.

Instead she decides now to have her experimental Pharrell album.

Seriously becoming #1 pop girl was hers to lose and she quite happily has done that. I'm impressed she experimented a bit but this really feels like overkill.

Posted by: Andrew. Aug 18 2018, 11:34 AM

So disappointed in this album. I grew to love the two singles (let’s not talk about The Light Is Coming ;o) but the Pharrell production doesn’t work and doesn’t grab me. Even ‘Breathin’...like Tawdry I listened to that one first hoping for a bop but it didn't grab me at all :’( There are some lovely, heartfelt moments but I’m not sure what she was thinking with this.

Posted by: Theo. Aug 18 2018, 12:23 PM

I'm only on my second listen but have to agree that there's no stand out bops. "Breathin" is the closest we get but even then I'm not loving it as much as I hoped I would. 'Dangerous Woman' was such a cohesive album that really surprised me with its quality so I'm just disappointed that we've been left with a load of Pharrell rejects "Successful" is the worst by far, I can't stop cringing at the lyrics.

Posted by: HarryEzra Aug 18 2018, 12:32 PM

Im a flop mod and havent commented about this yet...

I adore the sinlges and even The Light Is Coming is growing on me a lot. In terms of album tracks Breathin, Borderline (yes I know a lot of people dont like it but I really do) and Goodnight N Go are my favourites

However, on the whole, I feel a bit let down on the basis of the album as a whole.

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 18 2018, 01:02 PM

Borderline

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 18 2018, 01:14 PM

On the issue of PHARRELL IS THE DEVIL CANCEL HIM, he is capable of absolute GOLD. My issue isn't just how similar a lot of it is throughout the album (it works to give the album a thematic and sonic consistency) but how it almost works against Ariana's airy vocals. NTLTC was very disjointed in the best possible way but an entire album of it is fairly draining and will require a lot of listens to get used to. Time I am willing to give it though! I like the album on first listen and I'm hoping it grows a fair bit especially in time for TOUR.

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 01:26 PM

no tears isn’t pharrell - it’s max + co! can’t you tell?! it’s vastly superior haha.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 18 2018, 01:36 PM

Camila, Man Of The Woods, and Sweetener

The three albums that have been mainly Pharrell produced this year so far right? There might be more but these feel like the big three. No one seemed to have an issue with his presence on Camila (10 songs) yet MOTW (16 songs) and now Sweetener (15 songs) haven’t been as warmed received. Personally I’ve loved all three of them, MOTW especially, but I do see where some people are coming from and blaming Pharrell for “screwing up” her album is a logical assumption.

Perhaps what was needed was to just cut a few songs, maybe merge Raindrops & Get Well Soon or something. It looks as if some people are struggled to sit through the album so shortening it (and in the process making it more cohesive) could’ve made a huge difference. Same goes for the track listing which is all fine apart from the beginning

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 18 2018, 01:40 PM

Ahh yes of course! But the album as a whole including that has a disjointed feel to it. It works wonderfully in NTLTC so I guess that's Max's magic! <3

Posted by: travis Aug 18 2018, 01:45 PM

I'm usually really into Pharrell's production, but this album is really just not good. Such a bland follow up to the iconic Dangerous Woman era.

Posted by: JAKE Aug 18 2018, 01:46 PM

i’m sorry but as much as people attempt to like this record, pop history won’t look back on it kindly at all

bland tut

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Aug 18 2018, 01:47 PM

I'm enjoying the album so much Borderline & Breathin are amazing , also wish raindrops, was a full song .

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 18 2018, 01:58 PM

I disagree with this - after everything she went through surely she should be allowed to make the album she wants to make? I’m unsure how I feel about the music itself but I’m certainly not upset about her not capitalising on Manchester and cementing herself as the pop girl. A big pop album is obviously not what she wanted.

Posted by: Jack Aug 18 2018, 02:06 PM

I really like the album, it's not the album I expected but there is a lot of good stuff there imo. It's just a lot more subtle than say 'Into You', 'Side To Side', 'Everyday' etc.

'Breathin' is the obvious smash from the album - I must admit I don't think anything outside of that will be a big hit, maybe 'Everytime'.

Posted by: UltraReputation Aug 18 2018, 02:24 PM

Iirc Havana was the only Pharrell song on Camila and he only wrote and didn't produce that! (Which is why Camila is a really strong album unlike those other two mentioned x). The only Camila song he's produced is Sangria Wine I think which is a hot mess of a song 🤢

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 02:42 PM

why not, though? this was l i t e r a l l y a 'foot up' for her to become the top dog + she has missed the mark. she has not delivered.

as a fan, that's upsetting because i want her to do as well as she can (+ sh!t does she deserve it after what she's been through).

but what about what her fans wanted? why should we accept sub-par because it's "what she wanted"? i know that i & 16000 others from the manchester gig would have been comforted by something a little more familiar from her.

i say this from a place of love because i wouldn't want her to feel suffocated but you cannot be as commercially pop as she has been, generate hype via her legions of fans who have got onboard because of her POP music + then be disappointed when they turn their noses up at a primarily melodically-devoid r&b album with little-to-no pop elements.

+ the label knew exactly what they were doing with this because they deliberately put out the poppiest single first. then 'the light is coming' was very poorly received + the 'second official single' was pushed through, a max/savan/ilya production. the third single will no doubt be 'breathin'' (another max/savan/ilya production) because a very small amount of people are here for this 'sound' she wanted.

so you go ahead + be 'not upset' all you like - but i feel we are more than entitled to feel disappointed + upset that a pop singer didn't make a pop album, like we were expecting.
just as she's entitled to feel disappointed that she made the album that she wanted + it tanks, because it will - this will not do well past the fanbase.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 18 2018, 02:47 PM

Huh I had it in my head all this time is was a predominantly Pharrel album ;o My point still stands though

Posted by: Botchia Aug 18 2018, 02:53 PM

Well I like the album, it's not as strong and diverse as Dangerous Woman but as a whole it's a good standard. There's just a lack of standout hits aside from the two singles and "breathin".

I think a re-order of the tracklist would go a long way to improving the album as well. The order at the start just feels very odd?

The main highlights for me aside from the three we had already heard are breathin, everytime, better off and goodnight n go.

Personally, I kind of respect her more for using the post-Manchester platform for the type of album she wanted to make and not doing the obvious pop hoe album that would've been huge regardless.

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 18 2018, 03:05 PM

She’s the artist. She can make whatever album she wants. Taste is subjective, she obviously doesn’t consider the record to be subpar.

This just sounds like toxic and entitled fandom to me. It’s completely normal to be disappointed when an artist doesn’t deliver what you expected, but feeling like you’re owed something or getting upset that she didn’t use Manchester as a ‘foot up’ is just ridiculous.

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 03:08 PM

you say that but the songs you’ve pointed out as highlights came from the “after sessions” (ie. after the label heard the pharrell stuff) & they’re the tracks she did with max/savan/ilya so not exactly the album she wanted to create.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 18 2018, 03:09 PM

Wow at Breathin getting over 4.3 million streams on Spotify in it's first day! Enter the Spotify chart at #3, also riding high worldwide, they might have to push this earlier than they probably planned!

Posted by: Dexton Aug 18 2018, 03:12 PM

It’s doing really well in iTunes just as an album track too! Top 5 in the US already, I can definitely see this being huge

Posted by: Cremey Aug 18 2018, 03:13 PM

Completely agree.

I don’t think it’s the album anyone expected but I’m liking it a lot. goodnight n go, everytime, sweetener, borderline (even if Missy’s feature is pretty pointless...) and breathin are my favourites – I’m not surprised the latter is doing by far the best and is a clear favourite. It’s closer to what we’re used to from Ariana. It’s good to see her doing something a bit different with this album though even if it’s not executed as well as it could’ve been.

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 03:16 PM

hun, with all due respect, step the f*ck down - don't call me toxic/entitled for having an opinion.
ariana + her music got me through months of depression and anxiety having been caught in the manchester bombing.
forgive me for being upset that i don't like "artist album" she put out when this so called 'artistry' wreaks of pharrell; there's no ariana in the majority of these songs.

+ it's not using it as a platform when it's already there - it's wasting it when you don't use it & there's a difference.

Posted by: Botchia Aug 18 2018, 03:22 PM

I said I respect her for using the platform for showing the material she wants to produce, not that I personally prefer the songs she did with Pharrell

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 03:27 PM

to be fair, i kinda agree.. i respect her for doing the album she wanted but then i'm also super glad that she ended up working with max

Posted by: Joe. Aug 18 2018, 03:45 PM

The thing is that when the defence is ‘you may not like it, but it’s the personal album Ariana wanted to make'. I’m like, well it doesn’t feel so personal because it literally feels like a direct follow up to Man in the Woods or several other PW projects.

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 18 2018, 04:36 PM

I'm not trying to discredit your opinions or belittle what her music has done for you in the past. My point is if she wants to create an album of questionable Pharrell tracks and hope her fans like that as much as she does then that is her choice. It's also her choice not to use a platform (or 'waste it') to further her career.

Posted by: SKOB Aug 18 2018, 05:40 PM

36 million listens on Spotify for her yesterday, amazing!

Drake is second with 16m

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2018, 10:17 PM

exactly. this is in no way a ‘personal album’ - the label probably thought pharrell was going to be hot property.

Posted by: Davidson Aug 18 2018, 11:19 PM

I don't think this is completely awful, there is a lot of potential there but the filler tracks and the weird ordering of her deciding to put all the Pharrell tracks up at the forefront completely ruins it.

I have created a this 11 track version as a Spotify playlist and it actually listens like a very strong album. All the songs just flow so well in this order:

1. raindrops (an angel cried)
2. goodnight n go
3. pete davidson
4. blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams)
5. breathin'
6. God is a woman
7. borderline (feat. Missy Elliott)
8. no more tears left to cry
9. better off
10. everytime
11. get well soon

Posted by: Jüpiter Aug 18 2018, 11:47 PM

I'm Team Kye here. Half of this is a Pharrell Williams with Ari as recurring guest vocalist. I don't at all feel its sincerely personal or ',what she wanted to make'. Feels to me like shunting her onto Pharrell's pet project - if anything, the *opposite* of the creative freedom you'd think a budding A-lister would be given if not encouraged to nurture.

These are not Ariana Grande songs they are Pharrell songs and history will tell.

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Aug 19 2018, 08:48 AM

Rem is gold though. Hows it not on your list?

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 19 2018, 10:45 AM

I still haven’t listened to the album in full, but blazed is just horrific. What were they thinking?

Posted by: Catherine91 Aug 19 2018, 06:30 PM

I think Breathin has overtaken No Tears as my favourite track. My other highlights are Blazed, God Is A Woman, Everytime, Better Off and Goodnight n Go. I wish Raindrops wasn't just a short intro!

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 19 2018, 10:43 PM

breathin’ is the #1 song on US iTunes, and worldwide iTunes too!

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 20 2018, 12:30 AM

Ok, now I've had time to let it settle in, I'm actually quite in love with this album. A couple of tracks are still "ehhh" and plod along but apart from those, I'm loving it quite a bit. I think it helps that I've done my own tracklisting order tbh.

Sweetener is a faaaaave though! Even the bop it style chants *.*

R.E.M. is REALLY overrated though!

Posted by: Conderella Aug 20 2018, 09:38 AM

i'm obsessed with goodnight n go. love the original but this is good too. even her voice during the verses is very Imogen and the production is perfection.

everytime and breathin' are two of my favourite as well. there are about 5 tracks overall I will continue to listen to for now. other than that it's not a particularly strong album to me.

Posted by: Conderella Aug 20 2018, 09:46 AM

except it wasn't her fault that the attack happened so she doesn't owe anyone anything...? well done speaking for literally everyone attending that gig though~

Posted by: kye Aug 20 2018, 10:48 AM

as if i would even imply it was her fault in any way, what an utterly abhorrent thing to even suggest that’s what i was implying.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 20 2018, 02:59 PM

25.8K sold so far to make it midweek #1 In album charts!

Highest opening to date already I believe

Posted by: troylovesmusic Aug 20 2018, 03:17 PM

Yeah this album really such a damn grower. I didn't like the majority on first listen but after a few days to let it digest I've done a complete U turn and really liking it now !

Posted by: Conderella Aug 20 2018, 10:01 PM

of course it wasn't her fault. did you stop reading my post at "happened"? that's not the point i was making at all. she doesn't owe you, me, buzzjack, even her entire fanbase anything.

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 20 2018, 10:25 PM

Finally finished the album!

My current top 5

01 No Tears Left To Cry
02 Breathin’
03 Sweetener
04 Everytime
05 God Is A Woman

Posted by: kye Aug 20 2018, 10:55 PM

that’s my point?! i didn’t say it was! you’re the one that quoted my post + ridiculously implied that’s what i had said.

i’m not getting into a back + forth with you about who is/isn’t to blame regarding that night, it’s insensitive of you to even consider it.

Posted by: Conderella Aug 20 2018, 11:50 PM

huh??! i NEVER said this is what you implied and NEVER even tried to argue about it. it's a completely different FACT I just happened to bring up to argue why she doesn't owe her fans anything. it's understandable to have negative opinions about your favourite artists' new albums (i've been there so many times) but it's not the end of the world and every artist has their own path that only they choose. who are you (or anyone?) to argue with that?

Posted by: kye Aug 21 2018, 07:30 AM

i was providing a counter argument to this whole “an artist is an artist and they can do whatever they like. it’s THEIR life” spiel.

yes, they can put out whatever album their label lets them. but let’s not act like this is a really dark, personal album where she’s worked with a really niche producer. you can’t tell me fans that have invested their lives, their time, their money.. don’t get to say they deserve more? she doesn’t have to provide it, i’ll give her that but it’s not unreasonable to feel hoodwinked + feel vexed about it.

+ don’t get me wrong, b!tch has already had me for the ntltc sweater, the sweetener box set, the cassette + she’ll have me for the vinyl + tour tickets when they come out. i am still a huge fan + she’s the fave but i’m allowed to be disappointed! who are you to tell me i’m not?

Posted by: Cucumberella Aug 21 2018, 08:19 AM

LMFAO

someone has decided to STAN!

Posted by: kye Aug 21 2018, 08:34 AM

girl has been taking some sydwolfe lessons on how to rinse her fans!

Posted by: Conderella Aug 21 2018, 11:21 AM

gurl all i was saying is it's fine to be disappointed but you can't please everyone, don't twist mah words. although Ariana stans will still support her regardless, example above ;D

this is pretty much the same as any other industry i.e. a business. just because an actual person is a brand doesn't make it much different to, let's say, if it was a chocolate brand. you pay money for goods you consume and enjoy.

p.s. cassette lmao

Posted by: kye Aug 21 2018, 11:28 AM

lmao it was £5 leave me alone

Posted by: AaronTM Aug 21 2018, 05:11 PM

I am enjoying this album so far, I like that she's got quite a lot of urban sounding stuff on there. I understand the comments saying that if it had more 'traditional pop' songs on it this could have been a huge era. All eyes were on Ariana for this album and it doesn't seem to be meeting people's expectations, but it's looking to make a strong debut so hopefully it will maintain the sales and be successful.

I do feel like Ariana deserved better than an album of Pharrell leftovers, but I'm still liking it. Favourites apart from the singles are "breathin", "borderline", "R.E.M" and "successful". Missy Elliott doesn't really do much on "borderline", but it really reminds me of "WTF (Where They From)" and I think someone should make a mash up immediately.

Posted by: Quartonworks Aug 21 2018, 06:04 PM

Okay so after a few days listening, the album has really really grown on me. In some way the random sounds and noises in the Pharrel tracks I found annoying at first have actually faded out, whether that's me mentally filtering them or if they actually add something to the song I'm not sure lol. I do agree though that if the production was more sleek throughout or if it had more traditional pop songs it could have pushed her even more into superstardom (just look at how well breathin is doing) but I for one am enjoying the different and unique sound she has put out.
My top 5 right now, which changes a lot is:
Breathin
Goodnight n go
God is a woman
Everytime
REM

I think successful should have been left on the shelf tbh

Posted by: Dexton Aug 22 2018, 01:47 AM

Successful is getting too much hate ;o

I love the production on it especially

Posted by: HarryEzra Aug 23 2018, 09:51 AM

Not sure where to put this but she has a Live Lounge performance 5th September

Posted by: Theo. Aug 23 2018, 10:22 AM

Omg YES! I think that will be her first Live Lounge performance, right?! Last year they did a whole month of Live Lounges during September with most artists performing more than two songs so I'd say that this deserves its own thread. I can't wait to hear what song she covers

Posted by: Juliano Aug 23 2018, 05:08 PM

Ahhhhh!! Can't wait for that! I'm assuming it will be God Is A Woman and either No Tears or Breathin.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Aug 23 2018, 06:07 PM

I like Successful

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 23 2018, 09:52 PM

It’s a surprise surprise

Posted by: Anton95 Aug 24 2018, 07:05 AM

I listened to ‘Sweetener’ like two days ago and I think the album is… so beautiful to my ears. Ariana may have went the ‘darker’, more mature approach compared to the her previous albums (as a consequence of that terrible Manchester attack last year), but Sweetener should be worth listening not only to her fans but to her non-fans too. I wouldn’t go into any opinions about the tracks there (well, I can tell that ‘the light is coming’ is so awful and I think it’s the worst in the album yet), but on my first listen I think most of the tracks are good - maybe they're less catchy to me but they still retain the upbeat vibe. A few tracks there tend to be bangers and a few tend to be boring. I quite like the way on how the very last track (‘get well soon’) ends with a 30 second silence - which I think is used as a way to remember the attacks. Very emotional for Ariana.

From what I read around Buzzjack and elsewhere, there appears to be mixed views on ‘Sweetener’, partly because the tracks in Ariana’s latest album has a lot of Pharell Willams influence (which led to some people arguing that her tracks is a ripoff of Pharell’s songs). That, I think, has made Ariana and her fans worried. Will Ariana be as big as Ed Sheeran and Drake, or will she join the league of such bigger female pop stars as Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga whom their latest singles and album had been flopped in recent times? I don’t know. I think it will be better for Ariana that her next album after ‘Sweetener’ should be going back to her roots (possibly without the needs and influences of Pharell), like she should have more bangers that her first three albums have enjoyed. Her fans and her critics could have been a lot more satisfied with her next album than all her other albums she released at this moment, and her next album could pave the way for Ariana to become even bigger than before.

Anyways, I have to agree with other posters that the album track ’breathe’ should be the next single for Ariana; I like that song a bit. I see that ‘breathe’ already topped the charts at the moment, so I hope her next single should be the bigger hit for her come next month.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 24 2018, 02:50 PM

So far so GREAT!

Belgium (Flanders) #1
Belgium (Wallonia) #1
Ireland #1
Netherlands #1
New Zealand #1
Norway #1
Sweden #1
UK #1 (Pretty much confirmed)
Germany #3
Japan #5

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 24 2018, 03:29 PM

Confirmed in the UK now

Posted by: Theo. Aug 24 2018, 03:40 PM

And "Sweetener" the song debuts at #22! It's grown on me a lot, I'd place it in my top 5 alongside the singles, "Goodnight n Go" and "Breathin'". The latter song is hopefully set for a top 10 debut as well, so she has four songs top 40 in total including "Bed".

"Breathin'" was uploaded to her official YouTube account today so we can expect a single announcement pretty soon:

Posted by: Juliano Aug 24 2018, 03:41 PM

They just played Sweetener on Radio 1! It charted at #22! Which I did not expect, so maybe we will see it as a single? Breathin still to come, I'm really hoping for top 10.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 24 2018, 03:42 PM

Okay you beat me!

Posted by: Theo. Aug 24 2018, 03:50 PM

The album sold 45,000 this week - her highest-selling debut week to date! It was the highest selling physical (both overall and cassette *.), download and streaming album Slay a bit.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 24 2018, 04:22 PM

Yes at the top 10 non-single entry! And those sales are EPIC! Super happy for her!!

Posted by: Quartonworks Aug 24 2018, 04:58 PM

Amazing sales! So happy breathin is top 10 as well

Posted by: kye Aug 24 2018, 09:47 PM

did anyone else get the cassette? mine looks like i’ve printed it myself?

Posted by: Cameron Aug 24 2018, 10:03 PM

Breathin top 10 too *.*

Posted by: Jay ☆ Aug 24 2018, 10:05 PM

^^ I've got it too! It does look very slapdash... low-ish quality pictures and the text is on the blurry side. Something I really dislike is the parental advisory logo on the front... it's so small that the text isn't even readable, it looks smudged :') That definitely lends to making it look like a low quality print out rather than an official item. It's certainly nowhere near the quality of Kylie's Golden cassette!

I'm not too mad about it given that it was fairly cheap, but I'm sure more care could have gone into its design.

Posted by: Joe. Aug 24 2018, 10:34 PM

Bopping so hard to the title track now! Album is still a bit iffy overall, but I’ve made a 10 song edit which I’m enjoying!

Posted by: LeeWallace Aug 24 2018, 11:29 PM

Kinda expected bigger numbers in the US for her but still a good opening amount! I guess Nicki would have won had she had physicals and went up against Ariana!

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 24 2018, 11:54 PM

It’s 60k more than Dangerous Woman, but yeah I expected more too!

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 25 2018, 03:42 AM

Can't wait til everyone grows to love "borderline" aka the fourth best track on the album LUH

Posted by: Joe. Aug 25 2018, 08:08 AM

Bordelrine, Blazed and Get Well Soon are my least favs.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 25 2018, 09:00 AM

I'm totally convinced that in 'Sweetener' (the song) she's saying "when life deals us c**ts".

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 25 2018, 10:15 AM

I've listened to this in full now, it's such a CHORE to get through. Jeeeez.

At this point, I'm calling Dangerous Woman a fluke.

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 27 2018, 10:10 AM

I absolutely adore the album now lmao :') even tracks I wasn't totally here for like 'blazed' etc.

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 27 2018, 10:45 AM

Same! Ive rearranged the album in a seperate playlist and it flows so much better to me.

Posted by: HausofTove Aug 27 2018, 10:52 AM

The flow is the niggling issue I have with it but the individual songs... there's none of skip? Except maybe 'better off' / 'get well soon' at a push

Posted by: Blond 2.0 Aug 27 2018, 01:47 PM

I'm loving all the tracks now

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 27 2018, 03:45 PM

Maybe it's just because I'm used to it now but I really don't have any problems with the ordering of the songs. It flows well for me.

Although I do think Better Off sounds like an album closer. I read that it was recorded for 'Dangerous Woman' which makes a lot of sense because it does very much sound like a track from that.

Posted by: Dexton Aug 28 2018, 03:27 AM

I read that Better Off was written about Mac Miller and was one of the songs added to the album later on as a sort of afterthought

It’s one of my least favourite tbh anyway, I feel like her big post-Manchester album didn’t need a “f*** my ex” sort of song

Posted by: blacksquare Aug 28 2018, 08:28 AM

I actually really love Better Off (it sounds more CTRL than Dangerous Woman to me). It has smart placement on the tracklist, Goodnight n Go and Pete Davidson following it feel like a story almost.

Posted by: Joe. Aug 28 2018, 08:34 AM

Better Off is amazing

Pete Davison is fantastic and I wish there was a longer version.

Posted by: Slick Aug 28 2018, 09:57 AM

Glad to see you all coming round.

Posted by: Juliano Aug 28 2018, 07:38 PM

Right!

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Aug 28 2018, 08:16 PM

Better off & rem are the bests

Posted by: Liаm Aug 29 2018, 12:45 AM

Only just seen her singing Natural Woman on Jimmy Fallon, that performance shows every reason why she's one of the best vocalists of this generation One of the very few singers who could actually pay tribute to Aretha and do her justice.

Posted by: Catherine91 Sep 2 2018, 06:54 PM

Has anyone else made a 'Sweetener EP' playlist? Mine goes like this:

1. Raindrops
2. No Tears
3. Breathin
4. God Is A Woman
5. Everytime
6. Better Off
7. Goodnight n Go

GIAW and Everytime sound quite similar so perhaps I could change the order a bit!

Posted by: Juliano Sep 2 2018, 09:51 PM

The track "sweetener" is growing on me so much, I'm kind of hoping it's single 4/5.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Sep 5 2018, 07:11 PM

Vinyl is now available to pre-order from her UK store! https://store.universalmusic.com/arianagrande/*/*/Sweetener-Double-LP/5XQZ0000000 Due 26th October.

Also available in the US: https://shop.arianagrande.com/products/sweetener-vinyl-album

Posted by: Jay ☆ Sep 23 2018, 05:23 AM

I think it's time for the forum's description to be updated! Something that references the Sweetener title?

Current description: There are No Tears Left To Cry... AG4 is well-underway. Come and discuss the new single and album of Buzzjack's favourite Dangerous Woman!

Posted by: HarryEzra Sep 23 2018, 10:28 AM

Oh that's a good idea Jay! I can't think of a new description though maybe the other mods are more creative

Posted by: Jonjo Sep 23 2018, 01:35 PM

How about..

Got no tears left to cry? Just keep breathin and discuss all things Ariana Grande and Sweetener with us.

Posted by: Juliano Sep 23 2018, 07:53 PM

I guess that's the one!

Urgh the more I listen to R.E.M the more I want it as a Winter single, I think it will sound nice at Christmas and a Christmas version of it would be the best idea since releasing Greedy as a single. (It then it never happened but would have been amazing.)

Posted by: HarryEzra Sep 23 2018, 09:35 PM

Ohh I like that Jonjo might have to use it

Posted by: Jay ☆ Sep 24 2018, 04:22 AM

Yaaasss *.*

Posted by: Mack. Oct 1 2018, 03:15 PM

Breathin, probably one of my favourites from 'Sweeter'. Sounds perfect.

Posted by: Juliano Oct 5 2018, 10:10 PM

Just certified Gold today in the UK!

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Oct 12 2018, 11:28 PM

Get Well Soon has just clicked with me today. Obsessed.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher Oct 15 2018, 03:14 PM

Does anyone think she'll do a X Factor performance possibly or not?

Posted by: Joey Lee Curtis Oct 15 2018, 03:16 PM

I highly doubt it. She's kinda...not doing promo anymore I think. We've got the BBC show to come though.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Oct 16 2018, 08:02 PM

This is now my second fave album of hers behind Dangerous Woman.

It’s subtle but definitely stays with you and grows the more you hear.

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Oct 22 2018, 01:31 PM

A diplo track has leaked ‘in your hands’. It feels like it couldve been a bigger production.

Posted by: Andrew. Oct 25 2018, 07:04 PM

as ALWAYS happens with Ariana's songs/albums this has hugely grown after hating it initially oops. Still not keen on Blazed, Light is Coming, Better Off and Get Well Soon though, either dull af or the Pharrell production completely overwhelms the song.

Re-discvering the dangerous woman album again lately. I feel like I've underrated her so much </3

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE Oct 29 2018, 08:59 PM

Better Off & GWS are two of the best songs on the album. Alongside rem & giaw.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Nov 4 2018, 04:34 PM

Is this era already now over with the release of Thank u, next?

REM and Goodnight N Go would’ve done well as singles but they’re the two songs what are probably the closet lyrically to Pete (aside from the track what’s literally named after him).

Posted by: Juliano Nov 4 2018, 08:07 PM

I'm a bit lost here too because she had already claimed that she has a music video for 'breathin' coming?

If "God is a Woman" then we should get the Breathin soon and then the 'thank u, next', one in about a month or so!

I guess we will just have to see how it all pans out. I get the impression that Ariana maybe feels that 'sweetener' isn't very relevant to her feelings at the moment.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Nov 4 2018, 10:06 PM

I just hope she’s OK.

I feel worried for her on a personal level. She’s had so much constant S#!T lately like one thing after another

Posted by: Juliano Nov 9 2018, 06:54 PM

Back to the top 10 this week in the UK!

Posted by: Jordan Lee Dec 18 2018, 01:01 PM

I think this has become my favourite album of hers now.

My taste with a few artists on here seems I’m in the minority and my fave is the majority’s least fave.

A 10/10 album and aside from the light is coming I love every track.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Dec 21 2018, 12:05 AM

£5.99 UK iTunes LIMITED OFFER.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Dec 29 2018, 01:18 AM

Up ten places this week! #21.

Posted by: Liаm Feb 10 2019, 10:42 PM

Ariana's just got her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for this

Posted by: kye Feb 10 2019, 10:46 PM

amazing

i mean, regardless of what you think of sweetener, her vocals were outstanding on this record.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 10 2019, 10:46 PM

YESSSSS!!

So pleased for her

Posted by: Theonix Feb 10 2019, 11:20 PM

I'm very pleased for her! I still think it's quite petty that she refused to appear/perform what the Academy requested her to perform but it's about time that she's finally rewarded for her work on her fourth album! Here's to thank u, next sweeping up at the 2020 Grammys!

Posted by: kye Feb 10 2019, 11:41 PM

i get the feeling she’s quite sad she’s not there now she’s won..

Posted by: Theonix Feb 10 2019, 11:53 PM

It's a classic example of cutting one's nose off to spite one's own face. I'm sure she'll get over it

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 10 2019, 11:58 PM

She may well win the same award two years in a row and hopefully perform next year too

Posted by: Jay ☆ Feb 11 2019, 08:23 AM

I'm more Team Ariana on this one... I think she's more than earned the right by now to perform the songs she wants to perform, over what she's told to perform. Taking a stand and not letting herself be stifled is something I'd commend, I don't think that's petty behaviour.

I'm not sure why Grammy's would have put their foot down anyway. 7 Rings is the #1 song from the #1 artist in the world, why wouldn't they have wanted that to be performed? It doesn't seem like they were so difficult with artists in the past, I mean, did they genuinely request Nicki Minaj to perform Roman Holiday, of all songs?

Glad she won a Grammy despite her no-show, very deserving.

Posted by: Jack Feb 11 2019, 10:32 AM

I do kind of get the feeling that she doesn't actually really like this album much

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Feb 11 2019, 01:44 PM

I can't blame her for that if it's true.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Feb 11 2019, 02:39 PM

I don't get that feeling, but maybe I've missed something?

All I've noticed is her being a bit "lol rly :')" when the public gravitated strongly towards breathin; she made it evident that it was far from being her favourite song on the album. She may understandably be iffy towards Everytime given its subject matter. Otherwise, I think there's still plenty she likes from the album? The tour is called the Sweetener tour, so I'd be surprised if there's not a healthy representation of the album in the set list.

Posted by: Jack Feb 11 2019, 03:13 PM

I guess, but I've just noticed/felt like she's brushed it under the carpet - I agree her album isn't the strongest but the singles were so good. I'm happy for her if she's releasing more music that she likes, I just can't and never will quite understand why NTLC and GIAW aren't getting the massive success 7 rings and Thank U, Next did. I like them all and I'm happy for her, it just has always felt odd to me!

Posted by: Andrew. Feb 11 2019, 03:19 PM

I don’t see why the biggest artist in the world right now shouldn’t be able to perform exactly what she wants to imo. I don’t think she needed to draw as much attention to it as she did though, like she wanted to make herself the focus of the headlines without turning up?

I can’t argue with her on that aha, I’d put Breathin’ only above Get Well Soon, Blazed and TLIC on the album ;o Never got the fuss for it 😊

I see why you think that but I really hope she hasn’t, it’s her best album for me

Posted by: blacksquare Feb 11 2019, 04:07 PM

I don't think she dislikes the album at all - quite the opposite. It seems it due to how fast she's moved onto another album, but I think that is more about her mentality changing (wanting to release music in quick succession) rather than disliking Sweetener. She was probably more annoyed at the response to the Pharrell tracks than anything.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 13 2019, 02:01 AM

I kinda thought the Pete split influenced the quick move too.

R.E.M. was obviously about Pete at the time it was recorded and it was mentioned loads before the album release as being her favourite. Tracks like goodnight n go, blazed and the title track i took to be about him too and obviously the interlude literally named after him. So already that’s like 1/3 of the album. I don’t think she fell out of love with the album but she felt she could no longer connect possibly at that point in her life.

If Ariana had her way we may well have had a very different campaign but the single choices for sweetener were completely right.

I think Ariana thought R.E.M. and get well soon would’ve been a lot better recieved than what they were and I don’t think she expected the backlash for Pharrell too. It’s a weird one as it’s the album that made many of my friends fans of her who weren’t big fans before hand but generally her fans what she had from day one seem to think it’s her worst album.

I love sweetener though for me it’s her best album since her debut.

Posted by: Andrew. Feb 13 2019, 02:08 AM

Borderline is universally SO underrated Up there with Godnight n Go, Everytime and Better Off as my fav album tracks <3 Missy’s feature is kinda lame though.

I think Sweetener might have one of the biggest gaps in approval between the GP and stans ever (although plenty of stans still loved it). The reviews were great and the album has held up very well.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 15 2019, 11:12 PM

Is sweetener her ARTPOP era but the opposite way around where with that album the stans loving it and the GP were like wtf this is a mess with sweetener the GP got it and appreciated it but the stans weren’t so keen.

I remember just before I listened to sweetener in full for the first time I checked twitter and when I seen the comments coming from her fans I was nervous to listen to it! But I listened and loved the majority and still go back to it now and find new tracks growing better offs really clicked lately as has successful.



Albums up 8 places to #18 this week

Posted by: Jade Jun 20 2019, 04:51 PM

One year of 'the light is coming'! I still maintain that this is a bop but me initially ranking it higher than 'God is a woman' was... a choice.

Posted by: Jade Jul 16 2019, 06:15 PM

Legends only

Posted by: Jordan Lee Jul 16 2019, 10:14 PM

her BEST album did that

everytime (lol see what I did ) I see the sweetener shade on here or on Ari stan sites it comes back to me that she got her first Grammy and to date only one thus far for that era.

It’ll take something so special to beat it.

At present I think she’s likely to get the same award at the 2020 Grammys for thank u, next.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 17 2019, 06:52 AM

This album is now one year old!

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2019, 09:50 AM

Happy birthday ‘Sweetener’ *.* I noticed that it’s currently hanging around in the top 75 of the album chart.

View this post on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

“one year of sweetener 🌫 what’s your top 3 from this album”

Mine is:

01. God is a woman
02. no tears left to cry
03. breathin

Posted by: coi Aug 17 2019, 11:47 AM

My top three would be:

1. no tears left to cry
2. breathin
3. God is a woman

The singles were the highlights of this album for sure.

Posted by: Cqmerqn Aug 17 2019, 11:57 AM

1. no tears left to cry
2. breathin
3. God is a woman

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2019, 06:56 PM

1. Breathin
2. Everytime
3. No Tears Left To Cry

Posted by: Jordan Lee Aug 17 2019, 08:28 PM

As everyone’s said the same three I’m gonna do different and name my three favourite album tracks


R.E.M
goodnight n go
everytime

Singles wise I think they’re all just about equal but I’d probably rate them as

no tears left to cry
God is a woman
breathin

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2019, 09:57 PM

Ooh interesting, my top 3 album tracks would be:

01. the light is coming
02. sweetener
03. everytime

Posted by: jakewild Aug 18 2019, 11:23 AM

yes stan the light is coming!

Posted by: jakewild Aug 18 2019, 11:27 AM

also it's mad that this was only a yr old yday seems like i've lived quite few yrs with some of these songs as a soundtrack!

Posted by: Theonix Aug 18 2019, 03:17 PM

1. breathin
2. no tears left to cry
3. everytime

Posted by: Jonjo Aug 18 2019, 04:49 PM

ntltc > Gia > breathin

sweetener > borderline > tlic

Can't believe it's been a year. Def feels longer, but I think that's just coz she released a new album so soon after.

My main problem is the tracklisting and the order of it. I feel like it flows a lot better and more cohesive in my own playlist. Obvz if it'd have been edited/mixed better (i.e. I'd have 'raindrops' fade into the video version of ntltc & the silence would be at the end of 'goodnight n go' instead etc...)

Feel free to listen to it in this form instead if you want aha.

Posted by: kye Aug 18 2019, 04:57 PM

01 • no tears left to cry
02 • everytime
03 • breathin

Posted by: Jade Oct 8 2019, 08:17 PM

This has come in at #100 in Pitchfork's end of decade albums countdown!

Great to see some recognition for Ariana! Although I do prefer the holy trinity of 'Dangerous Woman', 'thank u, next' and 'My Everything'.

Having said that, I'm fully ready to stan a bunch of the 'sweetener' songs live in one week today

Posted by: Jordan Lee Oct 8 2019, 11:27 PM

Was this her only album in the countdown?

I’d probably put a few of her albums in my personal top 100 but this would be the highest for me!

It’s super consistent throughout. Has the highest highs of any Ariana album and even the light is coming is sort of less horrendous now.

The only issue I have for the album is the tracks should be in a different order.

Posted by: Jade Oct 9 2019, 09:28 AM

Yeah 'Sweetener' was the only Ariana album to appear!

I totally agree with the track-list ordering. From the word go the experience already feels jarring, as her intro to first proper track transitions so often do. Quite a few members on here have offered their own alternative track-lists in the past (see Jonjo's above for instance) and they flow so much better. 'thank u, next' felt a lot more cohesive to me, minus '7 rings' and 'break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored' which stick out like a sore thumb being tacked on at the end of the album I wish that had closed on 'ghostin'.

Posted by: Jack Oct 9 2019, 09:35 AM

Pitchfork are so full of shit I swear

Posted by: kye Oct 9 2019, 09:47 AM

for sure! this is her worst album.

Posted by: Jack Oct 9 2019, 10:07 AM

Also naming 'Bodak Yellow' as one of the songs of the DECADE. I had to laugh!

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Oct 9 2019, 12:30 PM

THIS making it over Dangerous Woman?

Ugh. Pitchfork have lost it, cancel them.

Posted by: Medellíam Oct 9 2019, 01:36 PM

I assume the tactic is to boost album streams as the opening tracks naturally attract more streams and people may be less inclined to give up on the album before the end if the singles close the album. I agree it is strange in terms of the listening journey though.

Posted by: Jade Oct 10 2019, 08:43 PM

Oh yes of course! I somehow didn't clock that before but what a savvy move in the streaming era.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Oct 13 2019, 08:50 PM

better off which was always amongst the weaker tracks for me out of nowhere today just clicked!!!

I think I must be feeling the lyrics of it a lot or something but I really slept on that and did it dirty!

Posted by: Jade Oct 13 2019, 09:46 PM

I'm pleased that you've seen the light with 'better off' *.* Ariana manages to turn a negative situation into a real beauty of a song.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 13 2019, 09:53 PM

better off is absolutely stunning. Probably the most under appreciated on the album!

Posted by: Jordan Lee Oct 14 2019, 12:33 AM

I’ve really under appreciated it.

If I was to do a rate of this album from 4-13 would probably be so different (I can’t count raindrops or “track 14” )

blazed as well has really grown too.

I’d probably say my weakest two now are borderline and the light is coming.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Oct 14 2019, 01:49 AM

Better Off is top 5 of the album for me tbh! Only behind the three singles and Everytime.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 1 2020, 01:36 AM

Listened to this in full today whilst I was on a long walk and yeah for me it’s still her best album.

It’s kind of odd because my friends all sort of seem to think this era is her best era (or was at the time of release). The response to it on here is a bit meh. I get the impression on this forum that people actually think it’s her weakest album as a whole.

It’s really not though! Full of so many good tracks and home to the three best things she’s ever recorded too. It’s a really such a special album for me tbh. I honestly really think it’s gonna be a difficult job for her to top this era for me. For me lyrically this is the album I find most relatable. Idk it’s hard to explain

I hope in years to come people look back at this and realise they did it dirty at the time.

Also is it finally platinum here in the UK yet!?

Posted by: Jade Feb 1 2020, 09:41 AM

'Sweetener' is not my least favourite of hers but I was a bit disappointed following the exceptional quality of 'no tears left to cry', 'God is a woman' and 'breathin'! As much as I enjoy a lot of the album tracks, nothing quite matched the singles, plus the Max and Pharrell songs didn't mesh together all that well on the album for me. It all felt like a bit of a mess down to the track listing. 'thank u, next' felt like a breath of fresh air coming after it with its more cohesive nature. I think my expectations were too high due to the singles and the project following such an excellent album in 'Dangerous Woman'. I still prefer it to 'Yours Truly' (which is cute, but doesn't really have the same level of highlights as her others) but yeah, the album wasn't quite as dreamy as I was expecting from the singles and lovely aesthetics of the era. The accompanying tour will always have a special place in my heart though and I can't wait for a Sweetener World Tour documentary

It's so close to being platinum in the U.K. but not quite there yet - desperately checking for it every week

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 2 2020, 01:19 AM

I agree on the tracklisting that’s literally the only thing I’d change but because on my devices it’s set differently I don’t notice it anymore. The first time I heard the album though I was like whaaaat. The only other main pop girl album I can think of what I love but has the tracklisting issue is Rihanna’s Unapologetic

For me as well Yours Truly was actually my favourite album of hers until Sweetener come along. I think My Everything and Dangerous Woman feel more label controlled and as though she was a bit less involved in the process than what her debut, sweetener and thank u, next do. Yours Truly for me is sort of a bit mature to be a debut actually because UK wise it wasn’t really promoted on a big level or overexposed it feels special too.

Tbh though all her albums are so strong and I wouldn’t rate any of them below a 7 as a whole

Platinum should be really soon! It’ll be her 4th to go platinum so I’m here for it eventually crossing that mark.

Posted by: Jordan Lee Feb 7 2020, 03:38 PM

Finally certified Platinum in the UK

Posted by: Jade Feb 7 2020, 04:02 PM

Indeed, four platinum albums in the U.K. now

Posted by: Spice Girls Net Feb 7 2020, 04:03 PM

That was quick it was just announced on the BRITs page.

Posted by: Jade Feb 7 2020, 04:04 PM

I was refreshing the BRITs page for the past half an hour at work desperately hoping that it'd finally be Sweetener's time they kept us waiting!

Posted by: Jordan Lee Apr 7 2020, 01:33 PM

I listened to this in full today and it still snaps!!


Aside from singles and interludes I’d rank the rest of the album as follows



1. everytime
2. goodnight n go
3. get well soon
4. better off
5. R.E.M.
6. blazed
7. sweetener
8. successful
9. borderline
10. the light is coming

Posted by: Jade Apr 7 2020, 02:01 PM

For me I think it'd be:

01. everytime
02. the light is coming
03. sweetener
04. better off
05. goodnight n go
06. blazed
07. R.E.M.
08. borderline
09. get well soon
10. successful

Posted by: kye Jun 24 2020, 12:33 PM

it’s £9.99 here for those wanting to add to their collection!

Posted by: Jade Jul 19 2020, 09:02 PM

01. God is a woman
02. no tears left to cry
03. breathin
04. everytime
05. sweetener

Posted by: MrAndrewMan Jul 19 2020, 09:28 PM

1. breathin
2. no tears left to cry
3. get well soon
4. goodnight n go
5. better off

To be honest my order changes quite a lot. But these 5 along with 'god is a woman' are by far my favourite and 'no tears left to cry' and 'breathin' are definitely my top 2!

Posted by: LJ JORD 7 Aug 17 2020, 04:08 PM

Happy 2nd birthday to her best album.

Also seen this and sniggered (post when you spot it).

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2020, 04:26 PM

Lmao 💀

Happy birthday 'Sweetener'! My hand was forced to stream earlier with the combined power of the anniversary and her new streaming record *.*

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2020, 04:57 PM

Ariana's updated 'sweetener' favourites:

Well... at least 'God is a woman' is up there!

Posted by: HausofGhibli Aug 17 2020, 04:58 PM

Happy birthday to her most underrated album!

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2020, 05:01 PM

Happy Birthday Sweetener! Despite some very high highs, I still think it's her weakest album since Yours Truly. Breathin is possibly my favourite song of hers though.

I was just about to post her tweet about her top 3 Some interesting choices.

Posted by: LJ JORD 7 Aug 17 2020, 07:49 PM

Interesting to see her top 3!

I kinda guessed that R.E.M would be one. I seem to feel like she really personally wanted it to be a single. Arianas personal favourites from her albums though tend to be ones the fan base don’t stan much and the tracks she speaks of what she dislikes are major fan favourites (not so much this era bc she recalls this being her favourite album).

For me personally tracklist order aside this album is so strong. I love the production on this and the message on certain tracks too. The singles holy trinity too.

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2020, 09:06 PM

Yeah she really adores ‘R.E.M.’ - I remember her being so excited about it during ‘Sweetener’ pre-release interviews. Now she’s even naming her latest perfume after it it’s definitely grown on me over time but I’d still rank a sizeable chunk of songs on the album ahead of it! I’m glad she didn’t make it a single - that run of three is untouchable

Posted by: kye Aug 17 2020, 11:15 PM

i always skip r.e.m i don’t know why she loves it so much

i’m still perplexed as to why she stans the pharrell productions, as a few seem to be cast off’s etc, when we know from interviews that she was heavily involved with the max tracks. i put it down to the singles wearing thin because she performs them so much?

Posted by: Jonjoliday Aug 17 2020, 11:26 PM

Lol at her still trying to make REM happen!! Ari, sweetie...

I don't mind this album. But if it was anyone else, I doubt I'd have given it more than the one play and just picked out my faves (the 3 singles, sweetener + goodnight n go pretty much) and if the tracklist was more cohesive, I'd be more tolerant towards it tbh.

Thankfully a far superior album was released about 6 months later so...

Posted by: LJ JORD 7 Aug 18 2020, 12:38 AM

R.E.M was the planned third single wasnt it. iirc at the time she seemed really confused that everyone seemed to really take to breathin in a very instant way.

I kinda wish this era got a few more singles tbh like everytime could’ve done well and then goodnight n go to close the era.

I’m in the minority who doesn’t prefer thank u, next to this but I’d say it’s probably her second best album as a whole after this.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Aug 18 2020, 06:36 AM

I still don't feel like I've ever been so disappointed in an album I'd hyped myself up and had such high hopes for.

Posted by: George.keh Aug 18 2020, 06:51 AM

agreed^ I’ve tried to revisit it so many times too and it still hasn’t clicked with me aside from the singles and Better Off

Posted by: Jade Jan 11 2021, 09:46 PM

returned to this a bit lately thanks to the 'Sweetener World Tour' movie!

Posted by: Jade Feb 9 2021, 06:53 PM

A couple of 'Sweetener' outtakes called 'incline' and 'More' have leaked (not sure why that one says from 'Dangerous Woman', all the other leaks have been taken down so maybe it was their way of keeping it up? lol)





I presume these are from when the album was going to be 100% Pharrell? They both sound like his production.

Apparently there are several versions of 'More' that exist including a Normani version.

I prefer 'incline' out of the two - very catchy - not essential but probably better than a couple of songs that made the cut.

Posted by: JulianNial Feb 10 2021, 10:30 AM

Incline reminds me of something I've already heard but I can't put my finger on it.

Posted by: Jade Feb 10 2021, 11:15 AM

Not sure about a specific song but I have seen some Kelis comparisons maybe that's more the general style though.

Posted by: JulianNial Feb 10 2021, 11:28 AM

Oh yeh I can totally hear that, I thought maybe it was a sample or something but you're probably you're right.

Posted by: Jade Feb 13 2021, 12:52 AM

Another leak:

Posted by: JulianNial Feb 13 2021, 11:56 AM

Well I certainly enjoyed that more than some of the other Williams produced tracks on the album... though maybe it was scrapped due to the hooks similarity to the title track?

(Do it do it do it... And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it)

Posted by: Jade May 21 2021, 02:18 PM

That shout out for Ariana *.*

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2021, 10:03 AM

Happy 3rd birthday to Sweetener!

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2021, 02:49 PM

Wow 3 years! I'll put it on now to celebrate *.*

Posted by: Dangerous Julian Aug 17 2021, 03:07 PM

What a moment! Her first grammy too. Let's face it 'thank u, next' deserved one too.

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2021, 05:29 PM

I’m giving it an anniversary listen too. It’s still my 2nd least favourite of her albums but it does have some amazing moments.

I’m aware I say this every time but I’m certainly not getting on this occasion

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2021, 05:35 PM

I think I'll pass on those as well, I have plenty of 'sweetener' shirts as it is anyway coincidentally I am wearing one today in fact (yay no dress code for working from home )

I used to consider this my 2nd least favourite Ari album as well but it's moved up to 4th for me nowadays - still a bit messy but I agree that the highs are amazing.

Posted by: Jade Aug 18 2021, 07:41 PM

One of my favourite moments of the era for sure

Posted by: dannjohn Aug 19 2021, 03:37 PM

'sweetener' is actually a really good album... it's possibly shared no.2 for me alongside 'positions' behind 'Yours Truly' of course.

It's just that god awful nicki duet that lets the album down.

Posted by: dannjohn Aug 19 2021, 03:38 PM

ps. i know its a 3 year anniversary, but would anyone really buy any merch with 3 all over it?

Posted by: Jade Oct 3 2021, 01:15 PM

New 'sweetener' leak called 'You':



It was from the original tracklisting written on pieces of paper in the 'no tears left to cry' video:

01. raindrops (an angel cried)
02. the light is coming (feat. Skepta)
03. blazed (feat. Pharrell)
04. R.E.M.
05. God is a woman
06. successful
07. sweetener
08. breathin
09. you
10. borderline (feat. Missy Elliot)
11. no tears left to cry

I quite like it, the "yuh" is very 'sweetener' era but the horns remind me of 'positions'

Posted by: Jade Oct 27 2021, 05:08 PM

Oh wow! The 'R.E.M.' production has existed in some form for 10 years

Posted by: Dangerous Julian Oct 27 2021, 09:19 PM

Oh wow that's super interesting and yehhh so old by the time it made the record.

Posted by: Jade Mar 18 2022, 06:21 PM

Never been a fan of the background colour, but otherwise, I loved her 'sweetener' look and the upside down concept

Posted by: Jord Mar 20 2022, 12:53 PM

Sweetener is her best album cover for me! I actually like the background too, it stood out at the time being her first non black and white album cover but the upside down type concept worked for the album too.

The no tears left to cry single cover though is my favourite artwork of hers though

Posted by: Jade Apr 7 2022, 07:13 PM

These were the actual nominees that year:

Brandi Carlile - By the Way, I Forgive You
Cardi B - Invasion of Privacy
Drake - Scorpion
H.E.R. – H.E.R.
Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer
Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour (winner)
Post Malone - Beerbongs & Bentleys
Various Artists - Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By

Randomly the only album of those I've heard is the Brandi one as someone sent it to me

Posted by: Jade Jun 20 2022, 10:10 PM

4 years I do seem to like this more than your average BuzzJack poster although it doesn't exactly touch the holy trinity of singles from this era!

Posted by: LewisGT Aug 17 2022, 02:47 PM

breathin, everytime & ntltc

Happy 4th birthday!

Posted by: Jade Aug 17 2022, 07:12 PM

Oh wow, happy fourth birthday 'sweetener'! This album really reminds me of finishing my degree, can't believe that much time has passed already.

My top 3 from the album are the really predictable trio of: 01. God is a woman 02. no tears left to cry and 03. breathin - such a flawless singles run!

Going to give my beautiful peach vinyl of this album a spin to celebrate

p.s. I simply must show some appreciation for these vocals *.*