User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Positions
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Positions Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5940 Ratings

  • Summary: The surprise release of the sixth full-length studio release for the pop artist features guest appearances from Doja Cat, Ty Dolla Sign and the Weeknd.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Variety
    Oct 30, 2020
    84
    When it comes to music these days, Grande is all about the quickies. And “Positions” benefits from that economy and repeatability. It’s full of expertly conceived songs you wish would at least try to overstay their welcome, though there’s never any real regret when she hits the “Thank u, next” button to move on to a successor.
  2. Exclaim
    Oct 30, 2020
    80
    positions has hints of classical and R&B — staples of Grande's previous work. Songs like the title track and "love language" weave in orchestral strings, violins and catchy backbeats to elevate the listening experience, effortlessly meshes these contrasting genres to keep her pop sound distinctive.
  3. PopMatters
    Nov 5, 2020
    80
    With little conflict and few psychological insights, Positions zeroes in on the enviable confidence that only pop stars on top of the world and with nothing to lose can afford. It's easy to write it off as empty calories, but pop has always been described in such terms: cake, candy, chocolate, confection. Positions isn't a "sweetener" but pure sugar.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 3, 2020
    67
    There is be little risk and reward on Positions, yet Grande's simple desire to memorialize the beginnings of a new love in real-time, and the new fears it entails, has allowed her to create a body of work not beholden to the narrative of resilience. It might not make for her most arresting album nor her most dramatic, but it’s certainly her most sensuous.
  5. AllMusic
    Nov 5, 2020
    60
    Such an intense, sustained focus does mean Positions succeeds in sounding sexy but it doesn't do much outside of that: apart from the title track, few songs stand out as individual songs, the rhythm and productions are all painted in shades of grey, and Grande disappears into the setting of her own design.
  6. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 30, 2020
    60
    Positions is not as immediate as the work Grande is known for, though it will find many fans. There are no tentpole hits, no obvious hooks and far too many words crammed into 14 relatively short and sometimes samey songs. But it explores new territory for the singer: new relationships, a new sound, a new sense of self.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 2, 2020
    50
    Grande is far too talented to be crafting forgettable pop albums, so here’s to hoping that she regains her footing soon.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,171 out of 3086
  2. Mixed: 208 out of 3086
  3. Negative: 707 out of 3086
  1. marie0986
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    This album is simply Great ! Ariana has a natural talent for music its im her already. She Keeps getting greater and greater.
  2. PabloGimenes
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    Ariana has matured a lot with her musical work! We can consider it an R&B masterpiece ... With a few hints of explicit lyrics and harmoniesAriana has matured a lot with her musical work! We can consider it an R&B masterpiece ... With a few hints of explicit lyrics and harmonies with his angel voice! Far from being a POP album, however, an album with a sincere vibe.… Expand
  4. babylontina
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    amazing brilliant!! arianas discography is so versatile. i’m so happy she has such a wide range, her voice sounds beautiful in this album
  5. bluebird7
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    a album of ariana could give all of her, and this is all. cause all off her is good, she is perfect, she is music, she is life, she isa album of ariana could give all of her, and this is all. cause all off her is good, she is perfect, she is music, she is life, she is breathe, she is the air, she is god. an album so grande.… Expand
  6. manu_carnevale
    Nov 28, 2020
    10
    This album is very chill, yet full of vocal showcase. Ariana never fails to show her vocal abilities and passion, which is what everybodyThis album is very chill, yet full of vocal showcase. Ariana never fails to show her vocal abilities and passion, which is what everybody expects from a pop/R&B album. Well done, as always!… Expand
  7. isatk
    Oct 30, 2020
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. very repetitive,all the songs looks the same, love language is the wrost,i expected more of the collab with the weeknd… Expand
  8. akvvl
    Oct 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s terrible. Oh my goddddddddddddddddd I almost passed away listening to it.… Expand

See all 3086 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »