I’ve been an Ariana Grande Stan for about 8 years now, and while I absolutely love her usual formulated pop music, I have been talking about wanting an R&B album from her for a year now. So, when she surprised her fan base last month with an R&B/pop album, I instantly fell in love with it. I listened to it back-to-back for 3 days straight, I even got my boyfriend to start liking her music! So, here is my personal review and rating on a scale of 1-10 of each song on Ariana Grande’s newest album, “Positions”!
1 shut up
The most elegant way to tell somebody to shut up, and honestly a perfect way to open up this album. Very fitting as an intro. 7/10
2 34+35
Definitely in my top 3. 34+35 is a fun, exciting, catchy, light pop song about Ariana’s sex life with her boyfriend. The lyrics are blunt about her intentions, but the song is quite honestly relatable and cleverly written, even the title is a math joke. 9/10
3 motive (feat. Doja Cat)
Produced by MurdaBeatz, I already knew this song would be good just from hearing his producer tag in the beginning. Motive is a fast-paced house fusion song that includes a great verse by Doja Cat. Although, this song fits in perfectly with the rest of the album, it very much reminds me of something that would play in an H&M. 7/10
4 just like magic
Another pop-like song in this mostly R&B album. This song is about the law of attraction and manifestation, so I was instantly a fan of it. The lyrics express her spiritual power and using manifestation to achieve her greatest desires. References Mac Miller’s death with the line, “take my pen and write some love letters to heaven”. 8/10
5 off the table (with The Weeknd)
I know many people who say this is their favorite song, and while I do love this Ariana-The Weeknd collab, it is a little too boring and slow-paced for me. Plus, no Ariana-The Weeknd collab will ever top “Love Me Harder” from the My Everything era. 6/10
6 six thirty
This is a song to simply vibe to. The song is not very lyrically significant, but is more of a song to play in the background while doing some self-care. Still, this song includes her beautiful vocals that execute this vibey song quite perfectly. 6/10
7 safety net (feat. TY Dolla $ign)
Another amazing collab in this album. Safety net is a beautiful song, in which Ariana’s graceful vocals works perfectly with TY Dolla $ign’s deep voice. Not in my top three but definitely up there. 8/10
8 my hair
One of the best songs on the album, this is also in my top 3. Vocals were unbelievable. The entire last verse was sung in whistle register! Need I say more? Amazing. 9/10
9 nasty
Another sensual song written about Ariana’s sex life with her boyfriend. But regardless of that, the intro to this song instantly got my attention. In the beginning of the song, Ariana references her 2013 song with Mac Miller “The Way.” These two tiny references pay a tribute to Mac Miller’s death, whom I whole-heartedly believe was her soulmate. 9/10
10 west side
From what I’ve seen so far, this song is so underrated. Very much a vibe. Beautifully sung and another perfect song to relax to. 8/10
11 love language
The beat is honestly the best part of the song. Very fast-paced. Also, quickly references her past trauma and pain with the line, “left my baggage at the door, claim your mind.” 6/10
12 positions
Even if you haven’t listened to the album yet, there’s a very good chance you’ve already heard Positions. Especially if you’re an active TikTok user. Either way, Positions is the most pop genre song from this album, but still overall very catchy, fun, and upbeat. 8/10
13 obvious
Another severely underrated song on this album. Beautiful lyrics. Catchy song. Deserves way more love. 9/10
14 pov
I wholeheartedly believe this song is the best song she’s ever made. Not only is this song number one on my list for his album, but for all-time as well. The perfect love song with incredible vocals. It will 100% be played at my wedding. 10/10