#recordoftheyear

Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next (Review):

Imagine - The album opens with this beautiful track, in which she is singing about what it would feel like to imagine a world in which things go how you hope they would. The unique parts of this song are that it features aspects of trap beats (which usually you wouldn’t combine with her vocal delivery on this track) and the placement of her saying ‘skrrt’ on the track allow this song to be far from the typical. The build up of her singing ‘Can you’ near the end is such stunning moment and those whistle notes definitely provide the track with its most unpredictable moments. A strong opener to the album.

Needy - The second track provides us with a calmer moment. On this track she sings about feeling needy and how that is a universal feeling as we all want to feel needed. Her vocals are laid back and chilled on this track. Near the end you get that transition into the violin moment bringing the track to a beautiful close. During the verses her vocals put forward a feeling of confidence, but then during the chorus you feel a sense of vulnerability in her voice. Putting forth the aspect of moments where you feel confident enough to stand up by yourself, and then there are moments you long to be needed. An interesting layout to the track providing the album with another strong moment after its promising start.

NASA - An intriguing opening with the drag queen Shangela kicking the track off with a quote, which Ariana stated that originally was supposed to just be a countdown (imitating that of a countdown for a spacecrafts take off). Once Shangela’s moment comes to an end we get right into the track. Here Ariana sings about wanting space and time for herself. It focuses on self healing and taking care of yourself. Here it seems like she is talking about being in a relationship and having moments where you need a break from it for a moment (not a break up). She indicates that time apart may lead to her yarning for her partner more and it may increase the affection they have for each other once they resume the relationship. Her vocals again are laid back on this track and the beat along with the vocals will have you bopping your head. On top of that she enunciates really loosely on this track. The ending with a short hum is an unexpected moment.

Bloodline - Following the start of the previous track this one opens with a quote being said by someone. Lyrically this track is about her letting go of someone and saying that she just doesn’t want this person in her life anymore. It kind of seems like the person of topic is finding it hard to let go. There is something about this track that reminds me of her track ‘Side To Side’ from her album ‘Dangerous Woman’. It is a fun track that would work really well in a dim lit club/party. You get a sense of fierceness and confidence through her delivery on this track. There is a hint of sensuality in the way Ariana puts forward the lyrics vocally. Now this is the track me and a lot of the fans would have loved a Nicki Minaj feature on.

Fake Smile - The sample used at the start provides with an interesting opening to the track drawing you in and hinting at a gospel/soulful type of track. Here she sings about her not wanting to fake a smile and falsely portray her feelings in a specific moment. She wants to be real about her feelings. The interesting aspect to this track is its production as it isn’t a combination that you’d expect with the gospel feel combined with the vocal and lyrical content. That is pretty much all that is to the track.

Bad Idea - Here she shifts away from the pattern of having an opening moment as on the previous three tracks, instead we get straight into the track as soon as it begins. The production on this track is stellar and the beautiful break moment at 2:17 after which we get back into the track and then the moment at 3:11 where you assume the track ends but it elaborates on the break moment earlier on the track. After which the main beat is brought back with a distorted vocal to officially bring the track to a close. The change up moments on this track are what give this song its unique quality. Its a track you could listen to whilst on a drive. It also is a great track to play in a dimly lit club, the beat really is one that’ll get you moving.

Make Up - Just as the title suggests this track is about making up and how Ariana loves when she and whoever is the topic of discussion make up. It is another track on the album that will have you moving your head to it and it is a rather chilled track. The production has a hint of a tropical feel to it. Apart from that there isn’t much else to the track. A listenable filler of some sort on the album.

Ghostin - Now we come to the most emotional moment on the record with this beautiful, haunting and heartfelt track. The opening immediately draws you in and you are left mesmerised. Her vocals and the harmonies here are stunning and raw. The lyrical content is really personal to her. You can tell that she is singing about something that isn’t easy for her to put out there. She talks about both Mac Miller & Pete Davidson on this track. This song demands that the listener feels all the emotions it wants you to. This track surely will make you teary. The standout track on the album and one that you could just put your headphones on and get lost in it. Ariana actually was insisting not to place this track on the album, however her manager persisted for it to be on the album. It being put out provides the listeners with a relatable moment as it allows you to see her as a human being going through a difficulty moment in her life, rather than a pop star.

In My Head - There is something really intoxicating about the beat and mesmerising about the vocals. She is singing about her imagining things about the relationship and his ways confirming that it’s all in her head about what she thinks the relationship is supposed to be like. Also she admits that she focused on what she shouldn’t have focused on, thus putting herself in the situation she is in now.

7 Rings - The sample used on this track provides it with its most unique moment as how it is used works really well with the rest of the track. Which is the most intriguing part of the track as the combination of the sample from a track from The Sound Of Music and the rest of the track isn’t one that you’d think would work. It is quite a repetitive track in terms of its lyrical content and her vocals on the track are laid back. The track is one which you can really vibe to and makes you feel like you are living lavish. On this track Ariana is boosting about how she can get whatever she wants whenever she wants.

Thank U, Next - This track was what drew me to this album and many others, mainly because of how personal it is and the extent to which she shares about herself on this track lyrically. Also her vocal on this track are really beautiful and you can feel her vulnerability through her voice. It depicts her journey from where she was at one point of her life to where she is now, she recognises her past and is ready to move on from it. The lyrical moment in which she states that she has come to a point of self-love, making her realise that she is enough for herself and there isn’t any necessity for a second party as she is more than content on her own, depicts growth.

Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored - The album comes to a close with this track, it is an interesting one particularly due to the topic it revolves around. The title alone catches your attention and the slick production along with the laid back vocals provide it with a vibe that has you moving to it. It is quite an odd ending to the album, but then again the record isn’t really a concept record.