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. mileycyrus_
    Aug 21, 2018
    10
    This album has a unique sound that I've never heard from Ariana before. Ariana has definitely made a right decision working with Pharrell and her previous producers as her album gives a mix of new and old sounds that the fans will surely love and enjoy.

    In terms of lyrics and meaning of each song, Ariana has become more personal compared to her previous albums. Songs from sweetener    This album has a unique sound that I've never heard from Ariana before. Ariana has definitely made a right decision working with Pharrell and her previous producers as her album gives a mix of new and old sounds that the fans will surely love and enjoy.

    In terms of lyrics and meaning of each song, Ariana has become more personal compared to her previous albums. Songs from sweetener talked about anxiety, toxic relationships, female empowerment, happiness, and love. She also paid tribute to Manchester in her songs "No Tears Left to Cry" and "Get Well Soon".

    Ariana has definitely done a great job with this album despite experiencing a tragedy that happened in Manchester. She's definitely back and she's better than ever.    … Expand
  2. theblazedtea
    Aug 21, 2018
    10
    this album is by far one of her best era’s in my opinion. she’s more open in this album than her previous work. you can have your opinions, but this album’s a bop.
  3. sammyanthony
    Aug 20, 2018
    7
    Brave move from Ariana to work with Pharrell. Her vocal still on point in several tracks, and Pharrell gave many spectrum track by track, giving different taste, even though he already boasted those tunes not long ago (in Pharrell's previous project). For the impact, Ariana redeemed her vocal for the sake of production, and in return, we reminded how good her vocal is, compared to theBrave move from Ariana to work with Pharrell. Her vocal still on point in several tracks, and Pharrell gave many spectrum track by track, giving different taste, even though he already boasted those tunes not long ago (in Pharrell's previous project). For the impact, Ariana redeemed her vocal for the sake of production, and in return, we reminded how good her vocal is, compared to the low-key sound she gave in some tracks like Sweetener and The Light is Coming.… Expand
  4. peedrovsb
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Não só o melhor álbum do ano mas também o melhor álbum de ariana grande, extremamente maduro e revelando um lado pessoal da cantora que nos encanta.
  5. Hogdion
    Aug 20, 2018
    6
    Not her best effort...There are overall 5/6 good track, but the rest is pretty bland, boring and repetitive.
  6. kaiquemendes
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    The surnames of his best career, the album completely escaped the usual and surprised. incredible!
    bj brasil
  7. grandeily
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    much more mature than ever. she shared her story with us by this album, so it is definitely her best one. people are mad cause it isn't just pop, but it is amazing to see her doing some different styles especially when she feels the most comfortable with them. good job. she also showed her low range, not only high which is new! this is really fresh !
  8. Biieel
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Dizer que superou 'Dangerous Woman' seria um crime, por se tratar de um álbum pessoal muitos esperavam o pop chiclete e dançante, Sweetener soa como diferente/bizarro, estranho mas convidativo, Ariana Grande nos mostrou um trabalho com tamanhas peculiaridades e diferenciações, não diria que é um álbum ruim, mas também não é o melhor, os destaques que colocam este recente trabalho à cimaDizer que superou 'Dangerous Woman' seria um crime, por se tratar de um álbum pessoal muitos esperavam o pop chiclete e dançante, Sweetener soa como diferente/bizarro, estranho mas convidativo, Ariana Grande nos mostrou um trabalho com tamanhas peculiaridades e diferenciações, não diria que é um álbum ruim, mas também não é o melhor, os destaques que colocam este recente trabalho à cima são vocais bem explorados, batidas, inovação artística, Ariana se permitiu, ela arriscou e o tiro foi certeiro. Sweetener é como um bom aperitivo.… Expand
  9. livilhotrinde
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    RAINHA DO POP #selenafracassada #demifracassada #mileyfracassada ...................
  10. sometimesari
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    This is an album that grows on you, the vocals, the sounds, the lyrics, it's just an amazing one, our babe deserves all the appreciation.
  11. zaynbrute
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    maravilhoso,embora dificil de engolir ele cresce com o tempo,além da ariana modificar as coisas
  12. ionutB
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Her best album of all time. The songs are extraordinary, but my favorite song is "everytime"'. It think that it should be the next single.
  13. BonnieBerry
    Aug 20, 2018
    6
    Um álbum bom porém nem todas as músicas se conversam. God is a woman e breathin são as melhores faixas do álbum e sweetener e pete davidson as piores
  14. MaxMed
    Aug 20, 2018
    0
    This is one of the worst pop albums released this year. It is very generic and lacks maturity
  15. irenehgarcia
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    This is definitely her most meaningful album and her best so far. She wanted to do something different and show her most personal self, and yes at first this album sounds weird but thats exactly what she wanted to do, music that not everyone is used to hear. She didnt make this project for people to like it as commercial music, she did this because thats what she felt she had to do as anThis is definitely her most meaningful album and her best so far. She wanted to do something different and show her most personal self, and yes at first this album sounds weird but thats exactly what she wanted to do, music that not everyone is used to hear. She didnt make this project for people to like it as commercial music, she did this because thats what she felt she had to do as an artist. Shout out to get well soon and breathin for speaking up about her mental health. Such a delightful and beautiful album.… Expand
  16. Sun239
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Even if the song The Light is coming wasn't one of the best the other songs shows a different version of Ariana showing that she can make very commercial music to the most personal sounds in her discography, one song that really disappointed me was the featuring whit Missy Elliot
  17. alarmfalse
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    flawless! UGH her mind... work of art PERFECT AMAZING UGH LOVE U ARIANAAAAA
  18. worldofxtina
    Aug 20, 2018
    0
    Listened to the album. Thought NTLTC was a bop. anything else is mediocre. Thanks
  19. nam190
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    I love u Ari and this is really good..................I don't care about what others say. in my opinion it's completely perfect Well done
  20. iraphaeu
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Album of the year!! all track is a bop, this album is amazing definitely worth a grammy ariana deserver
  21. GK0202
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    amazing work! ms. grande really did that! my favorite tracks: breathin, everytime, god is a woman
  22. Wikujama
    Aug 20, 2018
    9
    This album i so incredible and different (unique). My favourite song is goodnight n go this is so amazing like angels in the sky! I love Ariana so much but i can't give her 10/10 because of Blazed ft. Pharrell....This is **** OMG!
  23. kevntan
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    This project may be sound strange to her following but the fact that she experimented with unique production that ended up great is a big plus factor. The cohesiveness of the tracks lived up to the album title, evoking pop sweetness in every sense.
  24. epicunicorn9
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ariana has poured her heart and soul into this album, I've been a fan of her work for years and I'm impressed with how much she's grown. I know that this album is controversial and a lot of people don't vibe with the songs produced by Pharrell, which I understand. I absolutely loved the tribute to Manchester, I thought it was really touching. There are a few tracks on this album that stand off, which are her two main singles, get well soon, breathin, and everytime. The other ones are great as well, however, I don't like Pharrell's vocals in the background of sweetener. It's super annoying and over the top. Borderline was kinda boring. But Ariana's voice was great as always, just wish Pharrell didn't take over more than half of it. Overall, love this album! might be my second fave following Yours Truly… Expand
  25. kennaynes
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    the tracks of this album is good, fun, dreamy and personalize but it doesn't showcase all of her capabilities in singing but she did it in her 3 previous albums which is very great.
  26. archiekins1309
    Aug 20, 2018
    0
    the album has its highs and good notes but is otherwise totally bland. it is rationally good but not that extra ordinary.
  27. FelicityFenwick
    Aug 19, 2018
    9
    I really like it! The tracks really show that she's growing as an artist - and she's put so many of her big mistakes (musically and otherwise) behind her.
  28. Davinson
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    El álbum más fresco, dulce y maduro de Ariana Grande. Nos sorprendió el nuevo cambio de Ari pero esta bueno, aunque no todas las canciones peguen bien pero es un buen trabajo.
  29. Toneldx
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    Al escucharlo por 1ra vez se preguntaran: ¿Qué pasó con este álbum? ¿Por qué no es Dangerous Woman Pt. 2?
    Pero mientras más escuchen este álbum, más entenderán todas sus canciones y su respectivo significado y lo amarán.
  30. c29
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    Ariana explora outro lado de si mesma que até então era desconhecido, inovando em comparação aos seus trabalhos anteriores
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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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