Positions
by Ariana Grande
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2020
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5940 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,157 out of 5940
  2. Mixed: 417 out of 5940
  3. Negative: 1,366 out of 5940
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  1. piscesprincess
    Nov 24, 2020
    8
    An amazing album in every points. Ariana outdone herself while trying new things that fit soo good with her voice. - : she should have been more confident in not using trap sounds and really be rnb/soul
    + : motive and safety net. strings. high note verse in my hair
  2. MusicloverDave
    Apr 18, 2021
    8
    As an Ariana Grande fan for a long time, I think I can be honest about her music. I really loved the Sweetener and Thank u, next era but after those massive albums, I'm a bit sad, listening to Positions. I could not rate any of the songs 10/10, but positions and pov are at a very strong 9.5. All. Of the rest are below, between 6 and 9, but my calculations resulted a total of 7.85 rate. SoAs an Ariana Grande fan for a long time, I think I can be honest about her music. I really loved the Sweetener and Thank u, next era but after those massive albums, I'm a bit sad, listening to Positions. I could not rate any of the songs 10/10, but positions and pov are at a very strong 9.5. All. Of the rest are below, between 6 and 9, but my calculations resulted a total of 7.85 rate. So it's rather an upper 7 than a 8, but it is what it is. Looking forward to her 7th era… Expand
  3. mariaclarap
    Dec 4, 2020
    8
    This album gave me goosebumps and still does every time I hear it. Shut up was a great song to start, her vocals are unbelievable. Although the firsts songs of Positions are the weakest comparing to the rest of it, Just like magic comes with beautiful details that brings everything else to a better place. Off the table is beautifully honest and The Weeknd fits extremely well in this song,This album gave me goosebumps and still does every time I hear it. Shut up was a great song to start, her vocals are unbelievable. Although the firsts songs of Positions are the weakest comparing to the rest of it, Just like magic comes with beautiful details that brings everything else to a better place. Off the table is beautifully honest and The Weeknd fits extremely well in this song, it also talks about healing and grief from a point of view that most people do not, which is very interesting, definetly one of my favorite Ariana's lyrics. My hair has some traits of Amy Winehouse and the late 2000's, in it's lyrics, theme and melody, which I appreciate a lot. POV was also an amazing song to close the whole thing. I think my only criticism in Positions is that it doesn't have a theme itself, even though the title track and it's music video has a strong meaning. The songs have few connections with each other, which I consider really important for an album, but it does have some parallels with her old ones. Besides that, it does feel like a complete piece and it's why I think it deserves a high score. Great Pop/R&B, amazing collabs, incredible lyrics, unbelievable vocals: this is Positions, this is Ariana Grande.… Expand
  4. Rubenselektra
    Dec 12, 2020
    8
    Não é o melhor trabalho da Ariana, mas mesmo assim é mágico e interessante, algo puro e quente, porém sensível. Essa obra consolida a Ariana como uma das maiores de sua geração
  5. Xcg31_
    Dec 18, 2020
    8
    Es un buen álbum, igual se siente que le falta algo tienes grandes canciones y buenos instrumentales, claro no es un álbum movido ni para bailar pero hay canciones como shut Up que pudieron a ver dado más por el excelente instrumental que tiene pero letras algo raras y pues medio incoherente, canciones como nasty o safety net demuestran que con poca producción y buenas letras y gran rangoEs un buen álbum, igual se siente que le falta algo tienes grandes canciones y buenos instrumentales, claro no es un álbum movido ni para bailar pero hay canciones como shut Up que pudieron a ver dado más por el excelente instrumental que tiene pero letras algo raras y pues medio incoherente, canciones como nasty o safety net demuestran que con poca producción y buenas letras y gran rango vocal se puede hacer algo increíble, si hubiese quitado canciones como west side y cambiar cierta parte de canciones que pueden dar mucho más como shut Up u obvius hubiese sido un álbum increíble, es un trabajo Bastante maduro pero con ciertos fallos… Expand
  6. unknownhoe
    Dec 30, 2020
    8
    Positions isn't my favorite performance from her, she could do better. But there are still amazing tracks like 34+35, safety net, pov, just like magic, and more. However some songs like off the table, shut up, and west side are just lacking something. I still like this album a great amount though.
  7. Logan1492
    Jan 10, 2021
    8
    The album is really good, its only problem is that almost no song is going to represent a significant advance in Ariana Grande's career, it lacks a bit of intensity in my opinion, but after all, the album is still enjoyable, but far from be the best of her career.
  8. ViolaXie
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    i love the timing and the emotions expressed in this album of ariana shes one of the most amazing women i know about. in this album she brings the fans a feeling of joy by describing her love life and we're all absolutely addicted to the melody. what i think was missing in this piece is some sparks. i find it hard to find something outstanding that i can use to suggest this album to myi love the timing and the emotions expressed in this album of ariana shes one of the most amazing women i know about. in this album she brings the fans a feeling of joy by describing her love life and we're all absolutely addicted to the melody. what i think was missing in this piece is some sparks. i find it hard to find something outstanding that i can use to suggest this album to my friends. a spark or two would make this piece perfect. itz still better than the most. luv ya ariana.… Expand
  9. gngtini
    Mar 5, 2021
    8
    as much as i always love ariana's work, i think it's not her best project even tho there are some of her best songs on here
  10. igorwrightsilva
    Aug 17, 2022
    8
    This album shows her best vocals ever and a marvelous craft on arrangement.
  11. azvdweslei
    Apr 3, 2021
    8
    Really good album, although it’s not her best one. Just it. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  12. xnicrv
    Aug 26, 2023
    8
    More confident, more sure of herself, more satisfied and sexier. This is what Ariana Grande looks like on her sixth studio album Positions.
    The sound of Positions is certainly new: pop has taken a back seat and contemporary R&B is the real protagonist. Entirely written by the performer herself, assisted by close friends and collaborators, Positions offers some of the freest and most    More confident, more sure of herself, more satisfied and sexier. This is what Ariana Grande looks like on her sixth studio album Positions.
    The sound of Positions is certainly new: pop has taken a back seat and contemporary R&B is the real protagonist. Entirely written by the performer herself, assisted by close friends and collaborators, Positions offers some of the freest and most unfiltered lyrics that Grande has ever sung and performed. Tracks like My Hair, Love Language and Just Like Magic are real anthems to femininity, sexuality, power, and freedom, the central themes of the record.
    Although there are sentimental and intimate ballads such as Off the Table and POV, among the best composed songs by Grande, the main purpose of Positions is the exaltation of a captivating and at times provocative positivity, which wants to leave old painful experiences behind.
    While sticking to an R&B line as strong as ever, it's hard for Grande and her producers to break away from the trap and hip hop influences introduced first with Sweetener, then especially with Thank U, Next. The general production of the record maintains a more than sufficient quality. The main flaw is the weak musical cohesion between the different tracks of the project, which is sometimes fluctuating.
    Textually speaking, Positions sees Grande taking the reins as songwriter more freely, sexily and forcefully than ever before. Nonetheless, qualitatively defining the lyrics of the project in a single way is quite difficult: the attention, care and choice of linguistic register depend on the individual songs. If with the title track, Shut Up, Just Like Magic and Motive Grande keeps herself on a level suitable for a pop star, in Off The Table, Safety Net and POV she surpasses herself, demonstrating a very high compositional ability. The single 34+35, the most sexually explicit song ever performed by Grande, and the track Nasty are instead the most ambiguous songs: frivolous, simple and not at all sentimental, they definitely lower the quality of the album, despite being catchy and captivating.
    The real highlight of the album is undoubtedly Grande's vocal virtuosity. Never so light and powerful at the same time, never so spontaneous, never so clean has Ariana Grande been in the interpretation of her songs. To say that in My Hair her whistle register is jaw-dropping is an understatement.
    Overall, Positions presents itself as a project full of potential. Although difficult to delineate qualitatively in a universal way, it was certainly useful for its interpreter to write more lightheartedly about her life and feelings, to let go of the pressure, and to explore new musical fields; and that's what matters to Grande.    … Expand
  13. Coppeddem
    Apr 26, 2021
    8
    A solid 8. This is probably her 3rd best album after the masterpieces that are sweetener and thank u next.
  14. arianagrande626
    May 8, 2021
    8
    Just because a song is about sex doesn't mean that it's poor quality. I agree that it's not her best album but her vocals are awesome. It's a grower. If you're not into R&B I don't recommend it but if you like R&B you should definetly give it a listen! My favorites are Off The Table, Safety Net, My Hair, Love Language, POV and Test Drive.
  15. MSCD
    May 17, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Positions is a great album, Grande shower what she can make with R&B and Pop in one album, the ballad POV it's a great way to finish the album… Expand
  16. mileyrockstar
    Jun 1, 2021
    8
    people hated on this album a lot tbh but I found the harmonies and beats pretty good, it was a typical ari album that I enjoy I feel like she has distinct sound nowadays anyway so people should stop expecting DW 2.0
  17. lipehbryant
    Jun 29, 2021
    8
    Positions are good. But when it comes to Ariana Grande I expected more. I didn't like so many songs, some even seem to come from the Thank U Next era for their trap-pop melody and beat.
  18. ichigotts
    Aug 18, 2021
    8
    the songs are so good but generic at the same time, i love the vibe from the album and even if its not one of her best albums, still a great one
  19. Chiaotzuss
    Aug 25, 2021
    8
    Grower, not good first listen. Still many songs fall but on the other hand a lot of songs carry this album
  20. westsideti
    Sep 18, 2021
    8
    this album tells the story of rediscovering love greatly and it`s a fantastic piece of work.
    i do think it lacks something i can`t point out but it`s still amazing
  21. 9906dimatulac
    Feb 5, 2022
    8
    Positions by Ariana Grande is a good album. I think this album is a good, perfect yet classic album. I love the "POV" and "Position." But some are not enjoyable songs like "34+35". I wish I could like this. But still, I love her album, and by the way, her cover and her face were beautiful.
  22. rafacritique
    Sep 18, 2022
    8
    Ariana Grande é muito talentosa e sabe o que está fazendo com cada uma de suas músicas e com o Positions não foi diferente, o álbum traz uma tentativa sem se esforçar muito de ser um RNB mas acaba indo muito pras batidas repetitivas de trap e pop, mas músicas como pov, safety net, obvious, my hair e nasty conseguem trazer um ar de algo novo e belíssimo pra carreira de Ariana, masAriana Grande é muito talentosa e sabe o que está fazendo com cada uma de suas músicas e com o Positions não foi diferente, o álbum traz uma tentativa sem se esforçar muito de ser um RNB mas acaba indo muito pras batidas repetitivas de trap e pop, mas músicas como pov, safety net, obvious, my hair e nasty conseguem trazer um ar de algo novo e belíssimo pra carreira de Ariana, mas definitivamente não consegue chegar a álbuns como o Sweetener e o Thank U, Next.… Expand
  23. 0987
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    Definitely a listenable album, but comparing to "Sweetener" and "Thank U Next", definitely not a masterpiece. It's good, not bad at all, but not excellent.
  24. CDizzness
    Nov 3, 2020
    7
    I have to agree, this album feels rushed, there are good songs....but it felt generic and the first half of the album felt like one song. Minus, Motive...
  25. 0ndresousa
    Dec 11, 2020
    7
    Sem sair da zona de conforto, Ariana repete o mesmo de Thank U Next, mas sem nenhuma faixa que realmente chame atenção
  26. Alexcritik
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    Álbum muito bom, mas carece de algo a mais para se destacar, os feats. Parecem jogados num montante de faixas que emulam um R&B retro em meio ao "Trapop" que a própria Ariana SATUROU e agora parece presa nele pra sempre! Talvez se o álbum tivesse produções do Max Martin e Ilya e menos músicas com o Tommy Brown e a Victoria Monet, teria um substancial maior pra entregar!
  27. NolanLundgaard
    May 7, 2021
    7
    nasty: 0.75
    west side: 1
    love language: 0.75 positions: 1 :) obvious: 1 pov: 1 :) someone like u: 0.5 test drive: 0.75 worst behavior: 1 :) main thing: 0.75 14.5/18 ~ .806 -> 6.50 I found Positions, Ariana Grande’s latest album, to be her best yet, and the only one I have given a positive review to so far (though “Dangerous Woman” came very close). The reason for this? Her    nasty: 0.75
    west side: 1
    love language: 0.75
    positions: 1 :)
    obvious: 1
    pov: 1 :)
    someone like u: 0.5
    test drive: 0.75
    worst behavior: 1 :)
    main thing: 0.75

    14.5/18 ~ .806 -> 6.50

    I found Positions, Ariana Grande’s latest album, to be her best yet, and the only one I have given a positive review to so far (though “Dangerous Woman” came very close). The reason for this? Her music became so much better. Sure, the lyrics can be a little dicey at times (I wish she wouldn’t sexualize them as much), though from a musical standpoint, at least in my opinion Positions is leaps and bounds over its predecessors, “Sweetener” and “thank u, next”. The lyrics were also far less annoying than in “Sweetener” and though just as expletive-ridden as “thank u, next”, the lyrics seemed to me to be more well-written. Now, this is not to say that Positions isn’t without its issues, with trap drums in several songs (though it seems as if Grande is moving away from those, or maybe that’s just my optimism speaking) and many of the swearing seeming a bit unnecessary. Overall though, I was left with a fairly positive experience. Thanks to the character limit, I am unable to provide my song-by-song commentary. In general, I actually really liked Grande’s latest. It’s a musical upgrade from her previous releases and perhaps is her best yet in that regard (less uneven than “Dangerous Woman”). There really is a lot to be admired in this release, though it would have been nice if it wasn’t as sexualized. Then again, I guess that is just Grande’s style. Anyway, I really hope that Grande continues the one-a-year streak that has been going on for a while, and now that I am all caught up with her albums, hopefully we have reached the point where her music style changes a bit. (Adult or older teen) Fans of pop will appreciate this album, as well as Grande’s fanbase. I look forward to listening to Grande’s next release whenever it comes out, and hopefully she will establish an album winning streak building off of Positions. Highlights: just like magic, safety net, my hair, west side, positions, obvious, pov, and worst behavior.    … Expand
  28. ArtemSaloev
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    Ariana is trying to find a new style of music and do it quiet successfully. However, some songs may sound almost the same and meaningless. But experiments in music often lead to occurrence of some mistakes.
  29. SavioLombardi
    Nov 27, 2020
    7
    "Ariana Grande se jogou no R&B e abusou de seus incríveis vocais. Demonstrando maturidade e sexualidade, Grande pode ter se perdido em uma extrema horizontalidade musical em seu novo álbum. Com alguns sons que parecem preguiçosos, a faixa-título é a de maior destaque, mas ainda podemos citar motive, parceria com Doja Cat, e pov. Não é um disco ruim, mas talvez não te deixe entusiasmado"Ariana Grande se jogou no R&B e abusou de seus incríveis vocais. Demonstrando maturidade e sexualidade, Grande pode ter se perdido em uma extrema horizontalidade musical em seu novo álbum. Com alguns sons que parecem preguiçosos, a faixa-título é a de maior destaque, mas ainda podemos citar motive, parceria com Doja Cat, e pov. Não é um disco ruim, mas talvez não te deixe entusiasmado para ouvir de novo."… Expand
  30. Nonoo
    Nov 1, 2020
    7
    Not bad, not great, just... in the middle. I put a 7 thanks to Ariana's amazing vocals & harmonies and because of some songs that I enjoyed so far like Off The Table (really beautiful), My Hair (my god her whistle notes in this song!), Pov (really beautiful song too), Positions (love it) and Safety Net (great collab). Other songs like Motive, Just Like Magic, Nasty, Love Language, ObviousNot bad, not great, just... in the middle. I put a 7 thanks to Ariana's amazing vocals & harmonies and because of some songs that I enjoyed so far like Off The Table (really beautiful), My Hair (my god her whistle notes in this song!), Pov (really beautiful song too), Positions (love it) and Safety Net (great collab). Other songs like Motive, Just Like Magic, Nasty, Love Language, Obvious & 34+35 could grow on me later. However I'm indifferent to Shut Up (flat..), West Side & Six thirty.
    Now, I think Ariana should take a real break and come back stronger with new original content and new ideas.    … Expand
  31. selener
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    this isn't her best album but it doesn't deserve to be trashed by critics like it is right now. stream off the table
  32. Chuuyquiroz
    Nov 4, 2020
    7
    En lo personal siento que es lo mismo, obvio no sé de musica pero la adoro mucho y canción que saca canción que le doy stream! Me encantó el álbum más sin embargo Dangerous Woman es mucho mejor.
  33. C0RR3IA
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    Ariana conseguiu entregar um bom trabalho que trás um admirável equilíbrio entre a suavidade dos seus vocais e energia apelativa e sexy, explicita em suas letras. O R&B neste album com a presença de violinos, quais harmonizam com os vocais enquanto flerta ao msm tempo com o trap em algumas faixas, construe uma identidade única para o album, algo que no "Yours Truly" e no "thank u, next"Ariana conseguiu entregar um bom trabalho que trás um admirável equilíbrio entre a suavidade dos seus vocais e energia apelativa e sexy, explicita em suas letras. O R&B neste album com a presença de violinos, quais harmonizam com os vocais enquanto flerta ao msm tempo com o trap em algumas faixas, construe uma identidade única para o album, algo que no "Yours Truly" e no "thank u, next" smp deixava um gostinho de quero mais. Todavia, mesmo com uma coesão incrível costurada entre as músicas, o album apresenta, em muitos momentos uma linealidade cansativa, justamente por ñ apresentar muitos altos e baixos. Não q isso seje totalmente ruim, mas deixa essa impressão mt marcante ao ponto de quando vc se toca, a canção já acabou e iniciou-se outra, consequentemente. De qlqr forma, é uma obra medianamente boa.… Expand
  34. Gongbanza
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    Not as good as her previous work, but some pretty good instrumentals and catchy tunes, makes a decent album.
  35. FNaFstic
    Jan 27, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Se eu pudesse daria 69, mas já que não podemos dar notas maiores que 10 e nem decimais, fica com 7 mesmo. Positions não é algo que se leva muito a sério, obvio que é inegável a habilidade vocal da Ariana, mas um álbum não é feito só disso, musicas tão genéricas e entediantes pra uma cantora tão boa. Mas há algumas que se salvam e até me divertem, especialmente as colaborações com Doja Cat e Megan Thee Stalion. The Weeknd e Ty Dolla foram desperdiçados no álbum. Devia ter chamado a Gaga pra alguma coisa mas ela ia recusar porque é preguiçosa então não vou te cobrar isso. Essa foi a pior critica que já escrevi na minha vida e mereço ser xingado pelas coisas que escrevi aqui.… Expand
  36. lamadduz
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    i was expecting better but it’s good! i love ariana so much and this album is kinda simple
  37. bangtanswift
    Mar 21, 2021
    7
    It is not a bad album by the overall standards of pop music, but for Ariana it is poor piece of work, especially after Thank you, next. Some songs are great, they start growing on you, but some are just not it. I hope Ariana will come up with something better than this next time
  38. Monsetherat
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    Positions es un álbum que me funciona como un todo, hay una correlación, y es armónico. Para ser su primera disco donde el R&B es el sonido principal está bien, está aprendiendo de este género (supongo). Pero me falla al momento de ver las canciones individualmente, no son recordables ni memorables.
  39. perryrollins
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    It’s good, but not her best work. I was a little disappointed sonically. The vocals were great though. I was just expecting more after how good TU,N was.
  40. juaumbariou
    Jan 1, 2021
    7
    Ariana Grande arrives that album, almost two years after her fifth album, 'thank u, next'. Positions hits the market as a less commercial work than his previous album, where the focus here is largely R&B. This CD features many of his lyrics about the singer's courtship with architect Dalton Gomez. Despite that, the record still brings much of the singer's already tired trap, which may notAriana Grande arrives that album, almost two years after her fifth album, 'thank u, next'. Positions hits the market as a less commercial work than his previous album, where the focus here is largely R&B. This CD features many of his lyrics about the singer's courtship with architect Dalton Gomez. Despite that, the record still brings much of the singer's already tired trap, which may not be very pleasing to the ears of some more critical people. It's not a bad recording, far from it, it's an album that can please a lot of less demanding ears, like mine. So... just let say that one is one more addition to the artist's varied discography and leave the musical reinvention for the next album.… Expand
  41. joshuat17
    Mar 20, 2021
    7
    It's not her best. Ariana can do better than this. Positions was like a target version of Thank U Next
  42. liyema_mpompi
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. her entire discography has been about dark times, scared to love, failed relationships, losing lover and personal traumatic events. positions is about getting up and finally giving love life a try again. why does she have to sing about dark horrible tragedy in order for her album to be considered "meaningful" do people expect her to sing about Manchester bombing, mac miller's death, big sean who must break up with his toxic girl (jhene aiko) all the time ? just because she wasn't on the verge of tears when she was singing this it doesn't mean there is no emotions behind the lyrics so what if the theme isn't about dark clouds just like thank u next & my everything.??????
    i am giving this album this rating bc she mustn't be criticized for not singing about pain ❤    … Expand
  43. AmadorLorenzo
    Nov 15, 2020
    7
    It's an invitation, something very personal and soft, Ariana Grande came from a dark an sassy way to express herself with "Thank U, next" and positioned her feelings higher with this record.
  44. btsrunpop
    Nov 11, 2020
    7
    A very beautiful album in my opinion, I love that Ariana has transitioned back to R&B with Positions as all the songs are very smooth and go perfectly with her voice, plus the collabs are incredibly fitting and the harmonies are gorgeous. The cohesiveness of Positions, thank u, next and sweetener and 'new' sound of Ariana forms a type of triology, out of which Positions lands on top. TheA very beautiful album in my opinion, I love that Ariana has transitioned back to R&B with Positions as all the songs are very smooth and go perfectly with her voice, plus the collabs are incredibly fitting and the harmonies are gorgeous. The cohesiveness of Positions, thank u, next and sweetener and 'new' sound of Ariana forms a type of triology, out of which Positions lands on top. The other hand of this album is the thin line between cohesion and repetitiveness - tracks like safety net, positions and pov stand-out a lot to me - they mesh beautifully with the entire album but on their own they shine even more and become addicting. Most of the other songs however barely stand out and feel like fillers for the more interesting tracks. Overall though, Positions is well-produced and feels like a great development from her last 2 albums.… Expand
  45. RafaVicFS
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    I love Ariana, but unfortunately I found Positions tedious, he has some songs that are good but the whole album is kind of boring.
  46. otavioreis101
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    At this point in her career nothing can be considered bad or horrible and even if it does the fans will make it #1 ,she have the lyrics and the vocals as usual, but the beats feel kind of repetitive at some tracks, it's a brand new sound for her and it is fun, but definitely not bigger then Thank u, next and sweetener...
  47. ezequielxsoares
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    o álbum não é o melhor dela, porém não é tão ruim, gostei de algumas músicas e tenho certeza que muitas outras pessoas também gostaram
  48. jhunreycorrales
    Oct 30, 2020
    7
    It's a good album. But not Ariana's best album. So far some tracks are a little bit grower for me.
  49. LexiiiB
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    I thoroughly enjoyed most of the songs on this album. I think each feature fit in nicely. I listened to the entire album without skipping any songs. However, I felt as though it was missing something. I can't really put my finger on it. Overall the album is good.
  50. JHE16
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There is so much to unpack here. I understand that there comes a time where artists don't really need to please the general public with their music and this album just didn't include me as part of its target demographic. I loved 'Thank You, Next', 'Dangerous Woman' & even 'Sweetener' but as much as I want to love this one, I just can't. It's not bad by any means but it's just not for me.

    Standout tracks for me were:
    1. pov - because the melody along with the lyrics just hits the right spot. It doesn't feel too much of an outright ballad that tries to flex her vocals but simply these said vocals were being used to narrate a story that is so beautifully well-written. 2. motive - I love an Ariana verse as much as the next person but my favorite part of this song was Doja Cat. She exudes this sexy and confident style of rapping that's not really too much but just enough to get the message across. 3. off the table - another collaboration but unlike motive I equally love the exchange between Ariana and Abel. The harmonies were everything. & that's it. I don't really have other songs I want to go back to. Kudos to Ariana though, she's still one of the best vocalists in our generation. This album just wasn't for me but I wish her the best with this one because as far as I heard, this reflects how happy she is with her life right now.    … Expand
  51. moonbox
    Oct 31, 2020
    7
    Uninspired and lacking innovation. No standout hits aside from Positions and Love Language. But it’s nice to have on repeat as background music.
  52. Costabclls
    Nov 1, 2020
    7
    Before listening to the album I was expecting a pop album, but the musics are much more R&B than anything. It was a very good surprise, the album lost points because all the musics are almost the same, they have the same pace, the same rhythm, the same vibe, and this factor was a bit disappointing. It is a good album, not the best, but a good one
  53. Joaopedrorocha
    Nov 2, 2020
    7
    Álbum cheio de autenticidade, Ariana não surpreende ninguém ao mostrar impecaveis sonoridades. Quem é fã notou alguns elementos de sweetener e Yours Truly. Porém faltou o pop da Grande de Thank U, next. É ao mesmo tempo uma obra com suas características e uma de nova expressão para carreira da cantora.
  54. Joseph13
    Dec 3, 2020
    7
    well she did it again nothing to be surprised
  55. DanielHemmings
    Nov 24, 2020
    7
    Positions is good but for sure not the best Ariana album out there. The explicit lyrics are both good and bad idea in my opinion. It is good to have more of a sexy album but not the whole thing.
  56. selnycht
    Dec 7, 2020
    7
    A bit underwhelming from an artist who released thank u next, and the half baked lyrics were a bit disappointing. Still, the bold stand on her sexuality is admirable and her vocals as always were flawless. An okay album in simpler words.
  57. GERKO
    Dec 1, 2020
    7
    Positions destaca el potencial vocal que tiene Ariana Grande, y en este album queda desmostrado, la produccion vuelve a destacarse, pero no es un sonido muy innovador, tiene paralelismo sonoro a su anterior trabajo discografico, eso no quiere decir que sea igual al anterior, la tematica y concepto los diferencia desde lejos, una perspectiva mas madura de la artista, aunque cae en unaPositions destaca el potencial vocal que tiene Ariana Grande, y en este album queda desmostrado, la produccion vuelve a destacarse, pero no es un sonido muy innovador, tiene paralelismo sonoro a su anterior trabajo discografico, eso no quiere decir que sea igual al anterior, la tematica y concepto los diferencia desde lejos, una perspectiva mas madura de la artista, aunque cae en una composicon algo simple. Un decente album R&B que pudo llegar lejos.

    Destacados: motive, just like magic, Off The Table, safety net, my hair, nasty y pov.

    RATE: 7.9 / 10    … Expand
  58. TheJaym
    Dec 12, 2020
    7
    Fun album and great vocals as we all expect from Ariana . Songs like pov really hit you in feels . But i find this project rushed and a little unsatisfying , some production double layerd harmonies do not sit right with me and some songs are just too generic . Not a bad album at all but just not an improvement from Thank U , Next .
  59. Richmonde
    Dec 29, 2020
    7
    No decent lyrics... Boring production...I just wanna say that her vocals and instrumental saved her album for real.
  60. WashmaPoosie
    Jul 30, 2021
    7
    Position is a "very good" album. 6/14 tracks in standard edition is good and "test drive" in deluxe edition — the rest are skip. This album feels like in a rush when it's made. Vocals, definitely perfect — unfortunately, Ariana's songwriters and producers really didn't try to put new and spice on her sixth studio album.
  61. Beeeeeeef
    Mar 22, 2021
    7
    Is it necessary to have so many inflections? The first single turned out to be the best. Homogenization is pretty serious, and the next slide is going to be the big transition.
  62. EthanMontereal
    Apr 2, 2021
    7
    I love ari, id been a fan for so long now and i gotta be honest, after listening to Positions is tiring, it old so fast, i think if ari didn't that Famous, positions didn't get that attention that other album who has deep meaning and good stuff do. I much appreciate sweetener than positions, it's medicior and unecessary song meaning, i cant stand this album but i do gave it 7, love u ari.
  63. larissa26
    Apr 9, 2021
    7
    Not her best album, but it isn't bad, like it. Positions, 34+35, my hair and just like magic are my favorite tracks.
  64. gorkemkizilkaya
    Jun 26, 2021
    7
    This album is not that bad but also not that good. The songs are okay, lyrics are okay, vocally okay. It's just a little boring. But i'm sure that you have or if you haven't listened to it yet you will have at least 3 or 4 maybe 5 favorite song in the album. In short, I enjoy listening to this album but I think Ariana can do better than that.
  65. Ar-
    Jul 31, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is actually not her best creations. It could be a great album i guess. However, "my hair" track it's amazing (the ending it's what makes the song good) and "off the table" or "safety net" are one of my favorites, they have different vibe. What more I can say is that maybe Ariana could make more songs like songs I mentioned in order to not be too repetitive but, the album it's not that bad as it could be.… Expand
  66. itsdiegomejia
    Aug 10, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love Ariana, but this album was just not it, this felt more of a album to stay relevant than a album to actually innovate, very predictable.
    I just felt like when doing the album, they just wanted the fans not to complain there wasn’t a release in 2020, I know that thank u next was very difficult to reach, but not that hard.
    Very forgettable, hope Ari releases a better album next time, not something this mainstream…    … Expand
  67. Panboy1995
    Nov 11, 2021
    7
    Buen album, aunque esperaba más luego de thank u, next. mis favs son 34+35, just like magic y positions.
  68. UnknownMonster
    Nov 27, 2021
    7
    This album has ups and downs (skips&highlights) It's definitely a good album but the trap has to leave. The trap sounds great on positions and motive but songs like 34+35 and nasty really are skips
  69. NathanIsDum
    Jan 30, 2022
    7
    Some songs are forgettable, but I love the chill sound and how she uses her whistle range!
  70. patp
    Apr 26, 2023
    7
    Good album and very cohesive overall but probablly not her best. Feels repetitive sometimes.
  71. Ginm_
    Jan 27, 2023
    7
    I don’t know.
    Not a bad album but a little bit repetitive, I would have given to it a 7,5 score if I could.
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Paste Magazine
    Dec 2, 2020
    72
    Grande is making no effort to be discreet, instead explicitly owning her sexuality—the album is called Positions, after all. The juxtaposition of beautiful violin sounds and risqué lyrics has become one of Grande’s signature sounds, and it suits her well.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 9, 2020
    80
    Grande laid bare may well be seen as a stopgap in her canon, using taboo to checkmate her past trauma, but it does pull off the rare feat of at least sounding effortless.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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