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. xnicrv
    Apr 18, 2021
    9
    It is no coincidence that Sweetener is the first record by Ariana Grande to have a color image as its cover. The period following the 2017 Manchester attack was one of the most difficult of her life for the singer: the lack of a light to follow and the arrival of frequent anxiety and panic attacks clearly marked the person Grande wants to tell in Sweetener.
    Sweetener is definitely on    It is no coincidence that Sweetener is the first record by Ariana Grande to have a color image as its cover. The period following the 2017 Manchester attack was one of the most difficult of her life for the singer: the lack of a light to follow and the arrival of frequent anxiety and panic attacks clearly marked the person Grande wants to tell in Sweetener.
    Sweetener is definitely on another level compared to past records when it comes to the personal sphere. For the first time, Grande contributes to the writing of all the lyrics of a record by her, adding a well-marked and refined sentimental note, which was decidedly less evident in previous albums. The themes told on the disc are certainly more mature and developed than the previous ones: healing, recovery, self-empowerment, self-confidence, true love, hope and love for life. Furthermore, for the first time in Grande's discography, the presence of a deeply felt artistic concept is strong, centered on the sweetness of life, spiritual serenity, hope, grief and dreams.
    However, Ariana Grande does not abandon her role as a pop star: international hits such as God Is A Woman and No Tears Left To Cry perfectly convey the idea of ​​an independent woman and exquisitely reconcile the commercial imprint with the personal one, which is not easy.
    Sweetener's sound manages to be as cohesive as that of Dangerous Woman, but the styles explored are decidedly different: Grande engages very well in elements of house, funk, neo soul, hip hop, trap and disco, while maintaining a solid pop and R&B base.
    However, Sweetener is not an album without flaws: despite her almost perfect performance, her collaborations with Williams, Minaj and Elliott turn out to be decidedly weaker tracks than expected, despite managing to maintain a more than sufficient quality level.
    Overall, Sweetener is an excellent album from every point of view, despite some exceptions. The personal intimacy and lyrical maturity and freedom enjoyed by Grande is perhaps what makes Sweetener the best record in the singer's discography, along with Grande's versatility in being able to excel in new and unexplored musical styles in an accurate and meticulous way. Sweetener is definitely one of the best pop albums of the 2010s.    … Expand
  2. Ikaiiiiio
    Aug 16, 2023
    10
    An incredible album, with several strong points and nice to hear❤️ one of the best albums
  3. marialuizadiasd
    Mar 24, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. dou uma nota 8 pq tem algumas músicas que salvam, raindrops é uma delasjdjdjddksdkkdjdkdkdk… Expand
  4. Gusttavobuter
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    pop perfection i love her .................................................
  5. Ginm_
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    It’s my favorite album of all time, I’m so grateful Ariana shared this painful moment of her life with us.
  6. miguelcstb
    Jan 19, 2023
    9
    When this album first came out, I hated it. I found it mediocre and full of fillers, but, my gosh, it aged like the finest of wine. I love how simple yet funny and catchy the production is, and Ariana's voice just adds the perfect touch. I don't know if it already is, but this album is gonna be timeless. Ariana was ahead of her time when she made it and she put her entire grandussy intoWhen this album first came out, I hated it. I found it mediocre and full of fillers, but, my gosh, it aged like the finest of wine. I love how simple yet funny and catchy the production is, and Ariana's voice just adds the perfect touch. I don't know if it already is, but this album is gonna be timeless. Ariana was ahead of her time when she made it and she put her entire grandussy into it. If we ignore the mess that is "blazed", this album is just *chef's kiss*… Expand
  7. lightnovice
    Dec 17, 2022
    0
    Not her best after Dangerous Woman. Pharrell Williams ruined the production. Isn't have a replayability. Worst choice of production.
  8. chico-smith
    Dec 13, 2022
    10
    I love how when it got released the fans hated it, but it aged like a FINE WINE. hopefully in the future it could undoubtedly present itself as her best and most acclaimed album, similar to mariah’s butterfly.
    This album works so perfectly because that state of mind + aesthetics + working with 3 types of different production teams (max martin, pharrell and her rnb/trap friends) results in    I love how when it got released the fans hated it, but it aged like a FINE WINE. hopefully in the future it could undoubtedly present itself as her best and most acclaimed album, similar to mariah’s butterfly.
    This album works so perfectly because that state of mind + aesthetics + working with 3 types of different production teams (max martin, pharrell and her rnb/trap friends) results in a complex body of work where the songs bounce off of each other. For me, the latter group did a much better work on TUN, or alternatively they got overshadowed by max’s legendary pop melodies and pharrell’s super experimental and unique style this round - but that as it may, they still delivered fan classics. Other than TLIC, every song can be rated as a 10 (well, maybe that name drop song too). The singles are perfection, one by one, but what made me fall over heels for ariana’s best album is the dreamy REM, the impeccable get well soon, and the 4 super fan girls: blazed (if u don’t like it don’t even talk to me), sweetener, successful and borderline. But don’t take it for me, just listen. If u get it, u get it. If you don’t… my everything is right there smh.

    Closing statements:
    1. No tears left to cry is the best song ever.
    2. Sweetener’s visuals remain UNMATCHED.
    3. Ariana grande is truly a fantastic artist.    … Expand
  9. chenchen
    Oct 29, 2022
    0
    Wow. A heartfelt piece of work. Her most heart wrenching album. Ari puts all her feelings into this album.
  10. darkparadise222
    Oct 23, 2022
    10
    Probably one of the best experimental albums I have ever heard. Ariana's voice is beautiful and addictive and blends perfectly with the extraordinary production. No other popstar has created such an amazing album. Give her 10s where the 10s are due!
  11. HONESTREVlEW
    Oct 23, 2022
    10
    her best work of art yet. The production of each tracks it’s just exquisite. Pharrell has no work with her in a future album again.
  12. Daniel_Cortes05
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    ES TAN PERFECTO ESTE ÁLBUM, desde la producción hasta la lírica y su TEMÁTICA, puff te REALMENTE uno de sus mejores trabajos discográficos.
  13. PEDROMFR
    Oct 3, 2022
    9
    Knowing her stable place in pop music, Ariana releases her most experimental project so far, even after everything she went through in 2018. Pharell´s touch is noticed in many tracks in this sugary pop album.
    Top Track: God Is A Woman
    Worst Track: The Light Is Coming ft Nicki Minaj
  14. Sesorrin
    Aug 24, 2022
    10
    Un album que transmite tranquilidad y paz, uno de los mejores dentro de la Discografía de Grande, goodnight n go, everytime y God Is a Woman son lo más destacable del álbum.
  15. IkerAugusto
    Aug 23, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. its cover is simple but complicated, songs like blazed may not be understood by some but it is really good, top 5: better off, goodnight and go, god is a woman, get well soon, no tears left to cry… Expand
  16. sixthrityy
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    Definitely her BEST OF THE BEST ALBUM. THANK YOU PHARELL, AND ALSO MY ANGEL ARIANA FOR MAKING THIS ALBUM. THIS ALBUM MEANS SO MUCH TO ME, IT HELP ME THROUGH MY HARDEST TIMES OF MY LIFE AND THANK YOU. THIS ALBUM IS MY SAVIOUR ?!!!!!!!! DEFINITELY A GOD'S MADE ALBUM
  17. twtarianastan
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    her best albummmm she’s amazingggg it’s so healing and her best eraaa truly a queeen an amazing talented vocalist
  18. audibiale
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    This album deserves a rating higher than 10. Healing album, everyone will find something for themselves on it. Favorite songs: 'everytime', 'get well soon' and 'goodnight n go'.
  19. sweet_1
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    perfection... one of her greatest work in my opinion. I had it on repeat for the past days
  20. Sweeten3r
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    This album is a masterpiece. The Pharrell production just takes it to another level, pure art! The rnb and pop elements combined with the healing energy this albums is trying to convey is what makes it her best album!
  21. leyy
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    this album stands to the hyp and its title . listening to it is so refreshing and feels like a huge hug. YES ARIANA EXPERIMENT
  22. butterflyfion
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    one of the best studio albums of 2010s. she’s on another level on this album
  23. taylorseven13
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    This album is generally an amazing up-step from Ariana Grande’s discography. It also serves as a step upward and forward momentum towards Grande’s next project, thank u next.
  24. ursamxjor
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    This is Grande's greatest album yet and shows a new sound that's the perfect mix of dark and light, accompanied with stunning visuals.
  25. patricioliraak
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best pop album in the last few years, truly an honest and carefully written ouece of work that deserves to be celebrated, the vocals and writing habiluties shine in many tracks, but it is better off, the slowest track, that truly gives you an insight in Grande’s life and her lonely feelings… Expand
  26. naed_luc
    Aug 20, 2022
    10
    Eu amo esse álbum, o meu favorito da vida! Amo sua musicalidade e todo o entorno about it.
  27. Khalid43
    Aug 20, 2022
    3
    Breathin, Sweetener and no tears left to cry are good singles material, but that is not enough to justify an un cohesive body of work
  28. andrematos
    Aug 17, 2022
    9
    É um álbum muito gostoso de ouvir, bem agradável, a melhor faixa na minha opinião é everytime, muito bem projetada em todos os sentidos, é um álbum bem profundo sobre a fase que ariana estava atravessando.
  29. MarioMario123
    Aug 6, 2022
    10
    A really special album with a lot of great healing songs like everytime and powerful tracks like god is a woman. One of my faves for sure.
  30. dani_sweetener
    Jul 29, 2022
    10
    With this album, Ariana showed us her emotional side. Incredible vocals and lyrics, her best body of work
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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