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. b_rai_sun
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This album has so much growth, Ariana Grande has really made a name for herself and has taken the music industry to a whole new level. Her best album to date.
  2. JehadIbrahim
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    mozarteen eu te amo, cristal lapidado da música, run do pop, sweetener AOTY
  3. itsportela
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is her most different work,but in good way. Sweetener is cohesive. Ariana give us a lot of R&B songs mixed with pop sounds making a really great mix. You can tell she has been waiting to do an R&B album her whole life, even though she kind of did it with her debut album 'Yours Truly'.
  4. wafihabib
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    If you love the ‘soft pop R&B 90s diva’ Ariana that first made an appearance on ‘Yours Truly’, then you’ll love this album!
  5. ElmerChelmo
    Aug 21, 2018
    10
    This album is such a step forward for Ariana. She has really come into her own artistically. She is taking risks both sonically (see The Light Is Coming) and lyrically (see God Is A Woman), and I believe those risks are paying off.
  6. LinttaFlamingo
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is f*cking excellent.

    Something about Sweetener just really clicked. I have no idea how to even describe it. Through listening to it more and more and letting these songs grow on me I really noticed how much Ariana's style has evolved and how they're even doing some experimenting by having Pharrell Williams produce a bunch of the tracks to really switch up the sound here. It    Sweetener is f*cking excellent.

    Something about Sweetener just really clicked. I have no idea how to even describe it. Through listening to it more and more and letting these songs grow on me I really noticed how much Ariana's style has evolved and how they're even doing some experimenting by having Pharrell Williams produce a bunch of the tracks to really switch up the sound here. It still has some obviously mainstream oriented ballads, but I feel like the album strikes a perfect balance between her classic, but now evolved, sound and this new kind of banging sound that not only was I not expecting but also didn't realize how well it actually fits.

    Whether the song is a relaxing vibey ballad or an absolutely banging anthem, all of the songs feel much more personal than in her previous projects. For example in the excellent addicting "The Light Is Coming" she talks about positivity and forcing yourself to look at the bright side of things by saying that the light is literally coming to get back what the darkness stole. This of course can either refer to just normal life but also the Manchester attack that took place during one of her concerts. She also talks about anxiety, going back to a previous relationship and also most likely about the Mac Miller breakup in the song "Better Off", but she also, like mentioned before, does a couple ballads where she talks about wanting to be with someone and falling in love hard or just getting head and f*cking. She also of course references her fiancé Pete Davidson in many tracks and even has a track completely for him which is very fittingly titled "Pete Davidson". She states how she's so happy with him with this night-vibey bassy production in the background that ends in heavenly violin sounds.

    She has definitely talked about these things before too, but here it just sounds and feels so much more polished. The lyrics aren't exactly mind-blowingly written or super deep in any way, but they can be fun, clever, emotional and very sweet. And with Ariana's angelic voice that sounds better than ever it's impossible to not be charmed by all of this. The production ranges from the vibey pop/rock sound to banging beats that I was pretty much immediately addicted to. They do all these little things with the music like layer Ariana's voice many times to have a choir effect or cut the beat off at some point for a second or two and put it back in to really make the flow of the song sink in to you. It's great that they paid attention to all these little details that make the music fun and fresh.

    This kind of sound is something that Ariana excels at, and I want her to keep at it and evolve it. I was highly anticipating this one but I was still very much surprised. Not just in a pleasant "Oh" way but actually in like a "Oh sh*t this is like actually really good. Great success!" way. It's brilliant.    … Expand
  7. Andreiagreda
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    THIS ALBUM IS HER BEST ONE YET. I like how Ariana experiments on new music and make more mature tracks. THis album is definitley filled with bops, like breathing, God is a woman, blazed, goodnight n go, and many more! p.s OTHER STANS PLEASE STOP GIVING IT LOW SCORES
  8. WesArmstrong
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    The album is pure perfection! Each song has its own life, and it's visible how Grande grew and became a great artist. The direction she has taken is very correct and this easier can be the Aoty!
  9. Luccas_Augusto
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana conseguiu se superar, trouxe um material que ninguém imaginaria que viria dela - considerando as duas canções de trabalho deste álbum. Sweetener trás uma voz totalmente diferente da Ariana, algo mais suave, adocicado - fazendo jus ao título do álbum - sem dúvida, um trabalho que não será abraçado logo na primeira ouvida. Enfim, estou muito orgulho dessa minha garota, Ari. AmeiAriana conseguiu se superar, trouxe um material que ninguém imaginaria que viria dela - considerando as duas canções de trabalho deste álbum. Sweetener trás uma voz totalmente diferente da Ariana, algo mais suave, adocicado - fazendo jus ao título do álbum - sem dúvida, um trabalho que não será abraçado logo na primeira ouvida. Enfim, estou muito orgulho dessa minha garota, Ari. Amei demais! … Expand
  10. danrondon
    Oct 28, 2020
    10
    The vocals are insaneeeee, and the early masterpiece God Is A Woman is truly one of the best songs of the decade.
  11. IgorMiller
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    O álbum realmente é o que não estávamos esperando. Mas falando de musica pop, isso é exatamente o que precisávamos.
    O disco fará você sentir-se apaixonado, angustiado e feliz. Momentos como REM e Better Of são os melhores do álbum.
  12. channel2
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    i loved, it's so different of everything she ever done, but still perfect, she's never disapoint.
  13. JulioM0618
    Aug 23, 2018
    10
    This albums prove that Ariana Grande can save the pop, is one of the only singers that to date still singing pop, also good pop, is one of the best pop albums of the year, and it's a big containder for the grammys. Ariana evolved into a big diva pop. Say welcome to the new princess
  14. MatRevo
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana experimented with her musicality and it didnt fail to deliver. Easily one of the best releases this year.
  15. punkrockgabby
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Her best and most cohesive album to date. Lyrics, production and vocals are out of this world. If you're doubtful I sincerely suggest giving it a few more listens before deciding; almost all of the songs are growers and take some time to be fully appreciated. She has come so far since Problem and Bang Bang and has for sure gained a new fan with this album.
  16. leefirmino
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    De primeira eu estranhei bastante o álbum, confesso que esperava algo muito mais pop, pop explosivo (principalmente pelos primeiros singles da era). Mas agora, depois de ouvir umas três vezes, é um álbum maravilhoso, suave, diferente de tudo que a Adriana fez anteriormente.
  17. iamluiz
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    her best album to date. filled with amazing songs, great production and vocals. definitely worth a grammy.
  18. viniihnunes
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Este álbum sem dúvidas expressa tudo o que Ariana queria passar, e tudo que ela estava sentindo antes, vemos músicas totalmente diferentes do que ela já fez, e isso foi bom, ela respira um novo ar, como se estivesse em casa novamente..
  19. Brunos
    Aug 21, 2018
    10
    so growth and mature she's realling showing the world why she is the biggest pop artist of her generation
  20. truearianalove
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    YES! Amazing! Ariana Grande did that! Top 3: Breathin, Goodnight n Go and Everytime.
  21. LuanWesley
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Um album completamente diferente que tudo o que estávamos acostumados. Ariana deu um passo a mais em sua carreira com um album coeso, animado e maduro.
  22. Arianatorjeff
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    It's her best work so far, the production is amazing, her voice couldn't have gotten any better, it's a great album!
  23. illuminari
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    She snapped, really different and cohesive, absolutely love it, ariana is an icon and the stans giving her a low reviews are just mad that their fav releases albums like witness
  24. GaganJosan
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Stans be giving Ariana a negative score just cause it’s different and just cause they don’t like her but anyways it’s an amazing album and y’all should give it a few tries at least!
  25. jadenpb
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is definitely Ariana's most experimental album. She took a major risk as she's usually known for her pop songs, and this is definitely straight up R&B. I absolutely love it! Very well produced. Great work Ariana & Pharell.
  26. diegoabh
    Aug 21, 2018
    10
    I think it needs more than one listen. Everytime you listen, it becomes better. It's a great album!!!
  27. Lindsaylohan
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Seu trabalho mais maduro,inivador e um divisor de aguas na carreira,grande prova ser uma ex act muito a frente de seu tempo deixando o pop comercial de lado e refuzindo a uma mera influencia no album que se destaca pela mistura de r&b suave,um dos melhores do ano.
  28. diana11
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    a completely new and innovative sound; she is well beyond the scope of other popstars
  29. NestorPonce
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Grande hubiera podido lanzar un álbum repleto de hits comerciales al igual que DW, por el tipo de productores con los que trabaja. Sin embargo Sweetener es un reflejo de que la artista está interesada en mostrar al mundo una nueva faceta de ella, en donde plasma sus intereses y vivencias. Es un álbum bien cuidado, donde la voz de la cantante toma el mayor protagonismo, en canciones que enGrande hubiera podido lanzar un álbum repleto de hits comerciales al igual que DW, por el tipo de productores con los que trabaja. Sin embargo Sweetener es un reflejo de que la artista está interesada en mostrar al mundo una nueva faceta de ella, en donde plasma sus intereses y vivencias. Es un álbum bien cuidado, donde la voz de la cantante toma el mayor protagonismo, en canciones que en principio pueden sonar raras y distintas a lo lanzado, pero que si se escuchan de forma objetiva, son perfectas.… Expand
  30. lorenacrisro
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Na primeira vez que se ouve soa um pouco estranho. Mas se você prestar bem atenção vai ver que é um tesouro incomum. Isso porque realmente é diferente de tudo que Ariana havia feito antes, mas isso não é ruim, ao contrário, é revigorante ver artistas que se arriscam, que ousam. Ariana tem a melhor voz da geração. E em Sweetener ela mostra outras facetas de sua voz. Mais doce e suave. ComoNa primeira vez que se ouve soa um pouco estranho. Mas se você prestar bem atenção vai ver que é um tesouro incomum. Isso porque realmente é diferente de tudo que Ariana havia feito antes, mas isso não é ruim, ao contrário, é revigorante ver artistas que se arriscam, que ousam. Ariana tem a melhor voz da geração. E em Sweetener ela mostra outras facetas de sua voz. Mais doce e suave. Como um carinho, um abraço. Seu timbre é único e muito prazeroso de ouvir. As músicas, 8/15 com composição da própria Ariana, transmitem diferentes mensagens e sensações. Destaques para Raindrops, você é levado diretamente ao céu já na intro. R.E.M. , pra quem teve um sonho lindo e tenta voltar pra ele depois que acorda. God is a Woman, um hino para todas as garotas que lutam todos os dias para sobreviver e realizar sonhos num mundo machista. Sweetener, doce e amarga, triste e alegre, como aquela vontade de chorar e sorrir ao mesmo tempo mesmo sem motivo algum. Successful, um sopro de amor próprio. Everytime, porque todo álbum precisa daquela música que nos faz lembrar que insistimos nos amores errados. Breathin, apenas respire! No Tears Left To Cry, essa é pra cantar como se não houvesse amanhã e se libertar de todos os fantasmas. Godnight n Go, bem, no minuto final você vai ter a chance de ouvir o melhor vocal do álbum inteiro, você vai colocar o volume no máximo, fechar os olhos e sonhar (recomendável ouvir depois de R.E.M. , quem sabe você volta para aquele sonho lindo). E, por fim, Get Well Soon é uma luzinha de esperança para confortar sua alma ferida e te dizer que vai ficar tudo bem, você não está sozinho(a). Obrigada, Ariana Grande, Sweetener é lindo!… Expand
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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.
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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.
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  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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