Sweetener
by Ariana Grande
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Aug 17, 2018
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3093 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,340 out of 3093
  2. Mixed: 204 out of 3093
  3. Negative: 549 out of 3093
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  1. luxembae
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    omg shes so mature. this album is so sick. it gives emotions and chills. some people say this album is trash but they didn't get she has changed n shes no longer in the yours truly, my everything, dangerous woman eras. she is what she became and one of the thing I love about her is being always herself and thats it.
  2. saygnightngo
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana's best album ever. It's something brand new for her and it puts you through different emotional phases.
  3. kentdetroit
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    The talent that is inside this album is really something that deserves high recognition. Pharell really produced the **** out of this record and Max Martin is still an undeniable hit maker as always. Breathin was amazing as well as the title track Sweetener.
  4. Juantissocial
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Claramente um álbum com melodias coesas, apresentando um trabalho sincero e super minucioso. Ela escolhe arriscar saindo de sua zona de conforto em seu novo álbum e acertou bastante. Ariana nos traz faixas com grandes potências e que lhe exploram emocionalmente.
  5. theodoreformoso
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    This is Ariana's most personal and mature album. She isn't afraid to explore new music and genre. It's a hit.
  6. lauraguimaraes
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande mais uma vez provou que é uma artista completa e versátil com “Sweetener”. Compôs, produziu e mostrou vocais poderosos de uma maneira jamais feita pela princesa do pop, assumiu riscos indo para um lado mais R&B e se desafiou artisticamente. Grande saiu de sua zona de conforto e nos deu uma coleção de musicas lindas dentro de um contexto coeso, sem decepcionar nenhuma vez.
  7. serhanbutera
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    All songs are good. Ariana did different styles and i like it. Album so good. Love u
  8. Moonlightsight
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    The album is everything I‘ve ever dreamt of and I can‘t stop,listening to it, it‘s dreamy, sweet and so different to what mainstream musicians do these days. I‘m in love, this album deserves everything
  9. sapphireboy07
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Apparently, a pastel album is everything I've ever wanted. Once again, the standouts this era were produced and/or written by Max Martin, Ilya, and Savan Kotecha. Respectable efforts by Pharrell with R.E.M. and Get Well Soon tho (his other tracks were cute, but were obvi not the breakout faves). It's new, and people are still easing into it not being the pop perfection 'Dangerous Woman'Apparently, a pastel album is everything I've ever wanted. Once again, the standouts this era were produced and/or written by Max Martin, Ilya, and Savan Kotecha. Respectable efforts by Pharrell with R.E.M. and Get Well Soon tho (his other tracks were cute, but were obvi not the breakout faves). It's new, and people are still easing into it not being the pop perfection 'Dangerous Woman' delivered. But Ariana Grande's allowed to grow musically and in her career. She will continue to reach greater heights as the years pass by, and this album is a good indication. Solid album. Buy/stream it.… Expand
  10. huyhie
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande came back with a delightful but powerful body of work as "Sweetener" is her most personal album to date. Though Pharrell gives the album many (weirdly) surprising twists, the best tracks on the album stand out as some of Pop/RnB's strongest songs in 2018. One of the noticeably powerful tracks on the album is "Breathin", with every element needed for a Pop hit, this song isAriana Grande came back with a delightful but powerful body of work as "Sweetener" is her most personal album to date. Though Pharrell gives the album many (weirdly) surprising twists, the best tracks on the album stand out as some of Pop/RnB's strongest songs in 2018. One of the noticeably powerful tracks on the album is "Breathin", with every element needed for a Pop hit, this song is most likely to be one of the smash hits of this era. "God is a woman", "No Tears Left To Cry" and "The Light Is Coming" are all strong tracks, although the last one may sound strange for some. "R.E.M", "everytime", "get well soon" and "better off" may be some of the most favorable tracks, with "better off" being the only ballad on the album, but a powerful one. Overall, this album may just be the best Pop album of the year and definitely one of Ariana's bests so far along with her previous project "Dangerous Woman".… Expand
  11. ralphbernardo13
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    The production is much different than her first albums. A much matured Ariana Grande and same breathtaking harmonizing and vocals. I love the mood and how it paid tribute to the Manchester incident.
  12. Sweetener4
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Un buen trabajo, ella enserio se lucio con este album, es una pieza maestra.
  13. leobecker
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    simplesmente hinário, há algumas faixas horríveis? sim como borderline é blazed mas goodnight n go,breathin, god is a woman e outras compensam, é o 2º melhor álbum de ariana só perdendo pra dangerous woman, ela traz uma vibe mais R&B nessa álbum saindo totalmente se sua zona de conforto, inovar e hitar é essencial
  14. gabrielcunha
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande is a pop legend since her debut. Sweetener is a mix of everything she gave us with her three other albums, "Yours Truly", "My Everything" and "Dangerous Woman". It's a perfect album, even with the Pharrell's heavy intervention, it's something where Ariana explore her voice, her talent and emotions. Thank you Ariana.
  15. pjsgdlu
    Aug 30, 2018
    10
    this album is amazing, the only problem people could have is that is a little bit different, but it is really good, able to win a grammy
  16. sweetener716
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    After several albums that, albeit aesthetically different, followed the same Max Martin-devised formula of repetitive beats, soaring high notes for the sake of high notes, and a conglomerate of songs that would be great singles but didn't exactly make for a cohesive album, Sweetener is an emblem of artistic growth. Ariana and her team should be very proud. With an experimental sound thatAfter several albums that, albeit aesthetically different, followed the same Max Martin-devised formula of repetitive beats, soaring high notes for the sake of high notes, and a conglomerate of songs that would be great singles but didn't exactly make for a cohesive album, Sweetener is an emblem of artistic growth. Ariana and her team should be very proud. With an experimental sound that thankfully doesn't veer into "I have GarageBand and I know how to use it" territory, she stretches the limits of what modern pop is meant to be.

    With several songs dedicated to her struggles with anxiety, toxic relationships, and the sadness that remains after Manchester, Ariana showcases depth like she never has before.    … Expand
  17. danielax
    Aug 24, 2018
    10
    the different sound is refreshing compared to the generic, poppy music you hear on the radio.

    what a beautiful album ms grande gave us
  18. Jacsantos
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    This album exhibits Ariana's growth as an artist. The album, and yes this is an ALBUM not a collection of pop singles, reflects what Ari has gone through the last year or so. It's hectic and almost disjointed sound at times reflects her feelings of anxiety in a post Manchester world, mixed with dreamy vocals reflecting her healing process and falling in love. Feminism, anxiety, loss, toxicThis album exhibits Ariana's growth as an artist. The album, and yes this is an ALBUM not a collection of pop singles, reflects what Ari has gone through the last year or so. It's hectic and almost disjointed sound at times reflects her feelings of anxiety in a post Manchester world, mixed with dreamy vocals reflecting her healing process and falling in love. Feminism, anxiety, loss, toxic relationships, light, and getting well are all the themes and topics covered here. It's all wrapped in a lush throw back early 2000's r&b production while also pushing the boundaries forward. It's simply her most adult, and best, album to date.… Expand
  19. minajatruly
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana provou mais uma vez ser a melhor artista de sua geração com um trabalho de qualidade e vocais impecaveis, sem duvidas um de seus melhores trabalhos
  20. marimsilv
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana's best album with no doubt. It reflects her growth as a person and as an artist. I loved the way she explored new sounds without fear of criticism. This is what the industry needed. Very proud of her.

    My top five atm:
    1. Breathin
    2. God Is A Woman
    3, Everytime
    4. R.E.M
    5. Successful
  21. LuMiranda
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    É o melhor album da carreira da Ari. Ela deu um novo significado ao pop! Ela esta de parabéns!
  22. IlyaBusheyko
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Один из лучших альбомов в её карьере, если не лучший. Она заслужила всех похвал!
  23. emilywelsh
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    young ariana run pop! she never disappoints. has a song for EVERY listener, and is bound to be a gp success
  24. selenaesquizo
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. melhor álbum da ariana, um pop/r&b com toques suaves de uma verdadeira artista pop, dando destaque a "everytime", "breathin" e "better off" sendo lenda como sempre. a ariana se destacou como artista principal de todo o álbum, diferente dos outros! uma lenda que merece o melhor com esse álbum.… Expand
  25. breathingo_
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    En mi opinión este es su mejor álbum. Hay varios tracks que no me acaban de convencer, the light is coming es un ejemplo, pero para mi todas las canciones tienen algo excelente que las hace destacar y en el caso de tlic es la profundidad en su producción (la voz masculina que se escucha de fondo y que dice "you wouldn't let anybody speak" tiene que ver con un asunto político y si noEn mi opinión este es su mejor álbum. Hay varios tracks que no me acaban de convencer, the light is coming es un ejemplo, pero para mi todas las canciones tienen algo excelente que las hace destacar y en el caso de tlic es la profundidad en su producción (la voz masculina que se escucha de fondo y que dice "you wouldn't let anybody speak" tiene que ver con un asunto político y si no recuerdo mal es una cita de lo que un hombre gritó a un senador estadounidense tras un meeting sobre salud o sobre el control de armas) y por supuesto el verso de Nicki; y por más que me gusten My Everything y Dangerous Woman, estos no tienen la chispa, emoción y belleza que tiene Sweetener.
    Ariana poco a poco evoluciona como artista y está por fin encontrando su sonido. Estoy muy emocionada por lo que viene y totalmente convencida de que este es el comienzo de una nueva y sobretodo auténtica Ariana.    … Expand
  26. anenho
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    De longe o álbum mais coeso e bem produzido de Ariana. Maduro e ao mesmo tempo doce.
  27. polux
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    totalmente único e importante na carreira da maior artista de sua geração
  28. uribe2010
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana explored new sounds and lyrics, that's good, she left her comfort zone, I love the album from start to finish I'm ecstatic ❤☁️
  29. delroiiigrande
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Hands down, this is Ariana Grande’s best album so far!!! She tried to calibrate to another direction, try new stuffs, and she succeeded! Sweetener is “sweet” and “spicy” at the same time. This album deserves a Grammy!
  30. Davidsaez
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    La verdad tenia muchas expectativas acerca de este album, pero siento que aun asi es muy bueno.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The Quietus
    Aug 31, 2018
    70
    Grande’s new sound, the Williams-produced Not-Bangers, only make up half of the album. These standout tracks are interspersed between standard pop tracks. ... That’s not to say that the Bangers on Sweetener are bad--it’s more that they belong in previous era of Grande and they spoil the flow between songs. Sweetener may not be the dawning of a new age for Ariana but it could be a step towards somewhere weird and wonderful.
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  2. The New York Times
    Aug 29, 2018
    90
    Ms. Grande backs up her statements with song-and-dance mastery. ... She’s her own choir, support group and posse. While a few guest vocalists (Mr. Williams, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott) provide a little grit for contrast, Ms. Grande sails above any fray, past or present. Her aplomb is her triumph.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Aug 28, 2018
    80
    An album that coheres in a way other Ariana Grande albums don't, which means Sweetener is something of a double triumph: she's come through a tough time stronger and better than before.
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