Sweetener
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Sweetener Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3086 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fourth full-length studio release for the pop singer features guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott and Pharrell Williams.
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Top Track

God is a Woman
[Chorus] You, you love it how I move you You love it how I touch you My one, when all is said and done You'll believe God is a woman And I, I feel it... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Aug 20, 2018
    91
    A fascinating and sneakily complex pop album that adds new creative wrinkles to Grande’s already estimable repertoire.
  2. Variety
    Aug 17, 2018
    90
    Ariana Grande’s fourth and most delightful album.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Aug 24, 2018
    83
    Confident and empowered, Sweetener illustrates once again that Grande is an unparalleled pop chameleon.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 17, 2018
    80
    Ariana’s core fanbase are bound to find an instant, sugar-rush of pleasure in this fascinating side-step from an artist who – until now – has made her name by stomping down the traditional pop path.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 17, 2018
    80
    The songs are shiny and catchy of course. ... Yet there’s an uncommon sense of self-possession to this album--a kind of ecstatic calm--that sets it apart from everything else on Top 40 radio right now.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Aug 17, 2018
    70
    For the most part, though, the formula results in an album that's both consistent and refined, a reflection of Grande's growing awareness of herself as an artist and her place in the world.
  7. The Guardian
    Aug 17, 2018
    60
    It sounds like the work of an artist torn between doing exactly what she pleases and, perhaps understandably under the circumstances, giving her audience what they want. But there’s no doubt which of these impulses is more successful artistically.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 942 out of 1214
  2. Mixed: 73 out of 1214
  3. Negative: 199 out of 1214
  1. breathingline
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is Ariana’s best album by far. She’s experimenting with her sound, and that’s how someone can grow artistically. Her vocals on theSweetener is Ariana’s best album by far. She’s experimenting with her sound, and that’s how someone can grow artistically. Her vocals on the album are so powerful, and she hasn’t only used her head voice (that gives me chills everytime), but her lower register too. Definitely a great album!!! Everything about it is perfect!… Expand
  2. Pandlr
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    sem dúvidas é o trabalho mais diferente da Ariana, ao contrário de seus álbuns anteriores, Sweetener explora outro lado da voz dela,sem dúvidas é o trabalho mais diferente da Ariana, ao contrário de seus álbuns anteriores, Sweetener explora outro lado da voz dela, literalmente algo mais "sweet". Grande com este álbum assume riscos em sua carreira ao unir-se com Pharrell Williams que vem de um vasto histórico de canções "fora de sincronia" do que está fazendo sucesso hoje em dia, explorando outras formas, como por exemplo em the light is coming que é totalmente diferente do que está no topo dos charts hoje em dia… Expand
  4. cantqvitbvtera
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    The album was very experimental and a completely different sound than what we usually hear from Ariana. I like the fact that she chose to takeThe album was very experimental and a completely different sound than what we usually hear from Ariana. I like the fact that she chose to take a risk and get out of her comfort zone to try something out of the ordinary. It shows that her and her music is continuing to grow and develop. Some people like change, some don’t. I definitely enjoyed the album and I’m now looking forward for other genres and sounds Ariana will surprise us with!… Expand
  5. tayriana
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    This album is love. This album is life. It's a reason to be happy a reason to live
  6. cardiqueenb
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Esse álbum é sem duvidas maior e melhor que os outros só pelo fato da ariana ter se entregado realmente para esse álbum. As letras, melodias,Esse álbum é sem duvidas maior e melhor que os outros só pelo fato da ariana ter se entregado realmente para esse álbum. As letras, melodias, cada música tem seu potencial. Ariana conseguiu nós dar um álbum com um conceito doce e quente!… Expand
  7. Sadeeedwards
    Jan 15, 2020
    7
    Sweetener is one of those albums that grow overtime, this is definitely not Ariana's best album. Sweetener had 16 co-writers excluding nickiSweetener is one of those albums that grow overtime, this is definitely not Ariana's best album. Sweetener had 16 co-writers excluding nicki minaj and missy elliott. Pharrell was the main producer of sweetener, let's say, I am disappointed. His production within this album isn't great. I didnt enjoy a few songs, borderline, blazed, successful and Pete davidson. God is a woman, everytime, r.e.m, breathin and goodnight n go being my favorites.

    I can see there are at least 2 filler songs, blazed and borderline. Sweetener shows her funky side whilst also being emotional, that isn't easy to do. Overall I think this album could've done better without pharrell, maybe with more max martin or even poo bear.    … Expand
  8. Okras
    Dec 9, 2018
    0
    Incredibly overrated. Songs sound the like the same garbage she releases. It's a shame that her fans make people believe that its a goodIncredibly overrated. Songs sound the like the same garbage she releases. It's a shame that her fans make people believe that its a good album, when it clearly isn't.… Expand

See all 1214 User Reviews

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1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2018
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2018

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