I never would've thought my first review of 2019 was gonna be a pop album but here we are. Ariana's 2018 wasn't a great one, which is quite an understatement, to say the least. So with her releasing another album less than six months after she released "Sweetener" doesn't quite surprise me since she a lot of emotional baggage to deal with it and had to put to on wax. I enjoyed her last album I enjoyed a lot, it didn't make my year-end list but it was a fun record, I know some fans disliked the record cause of a lot production that was mainly handled by Pharell which at first I didn't understand but later on I did cause of some is a bit wonky with the mixing when going back to the album.
The three singles leading up to the release of this album which one of the singles is the title track of the album "Thank U, Next", a song that took time to grow on me and I quite enjoy the song despite being overplayed for me, "imagine" is my favorite single from the album, I love her vocal range on the chorus, production is very chilling plus with the whistles tones towards the end is a nice fit, and has a throwback vibe, and she flows smoothly like butter on the verses.in the track, she talking about unattainable love and self-empowerment which is the opposite of "Thank U, Next" which she did explain in a few tweets and I agree. "7 Rings" I really didn't care for, I see what she was trying to do with her boasting her wealth and production is nice but her kinda "rapping" on the chorus and the third verse wasn't that good and not it for me.
Diving into to this record now, god damn, this is ten times better than her last album and no filler which is a major plus for me. There is a couple of songs like "7 Rings" and "Bad Idea" where I would skip, I don't think both songs are terrible, I just felt underwhelm awhile listening to these. "NASA" is my favorite track and it's one of the catchy tracks on here, that damn chorus been stuck in my head and I've caught myself singing the hook in the shower. It's a very simple song about needing space from someone and the song is called "NASA" but it does the job perfectly. "bloodline" is the perfect friends with benefits song and Ariana wants just wants a good time without being tied down, Production has anthem vibe with the trumpets and saxophones being played in the background. "fake smile" uses a very popular sample which has been in a lot of rap songs in the beginning and the drop to the song is good. The theme is mainly about expressing your true emotions instead of putting on a facade and pretend everything is ok with her being tired of all the tabloid news and shit she had to deal with in the past few months and fuck a fake smile. I love how the keys and the guitar blend together and it's a great uplifting track.
"make up" is a great play on words with Ariana delivering with makeup sex and beauty products, it is a straight forward song and it's the shortest song but it works for an interlude track and keeps the album flowing. "ghostin" where the whole vibe of the album switches up and we get a slow and more personal record. Ariana said this song is about "ghostin" someone meaning you are with someone but you are actually in love with someone else instead. Many fans and outlets have said this could be a dedication to Mac Miller which does sample "2009" by Mac and she wishes he was still here and be with him and dealing with his passing awhile engaged to Pete. Fans have also theorized its an apology to Pete that he had to see her in that state, going on back to this track many times I do agree with people's theories, The violin being played in the production is very heavenly and gives me a chill down my spine every time when I hear this track, I also love her vocal range on this too.
"in my head" the whole theme is painting a picture in your head of her falling in love with someone but they turn out, in reality, that person is totally different. The track is pretty cool, I love her when starts off the chorus and the range in her voice when she sings "in my head" gives me a chill and I love that about the track. "break up with your girlfriend, I'm bored" is pretty self-explanatory but the song is great and ends the album great.
Final thoughts, this album is great and this is easily my favorite Ariana Grande album thus far. I've said earlier what was a major plus for "thank u, next" and it shows, the whole album just flows great and not too many detours with my journey to this record. In the past, I've said Ariana Grande's music was a guilty pleasure of mine but in the past two years, I have one hundred percent became a fan and I don't feel guilty anymore. I'm excited what she does and hope everything in her personal life is gonna be a lot better in the future.
Favorite Tracks: NASA, imagine, ghostin, bloodline, make up, needy, thank u next, break up with your boyfriend, I'm bored
Least Favorite Tracks: 7 Rings
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