thank u, next
by Ariana Grande
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Feb 8, 2019
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3536 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,661 out of 3536
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 3536
  3. Negative: 734 out of 3536
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  1. Wishah
    Aug 23, 2019
    5
    Her songs almost sounds so similar and the lyrics are not that sharp! Some songs are cute and catchy but I don’t think this is her finest work!
  2. thecarlos97
    Jun 20, 2019
    4
    A very repetitive sound for the album. There is still more room to grow, sadly she went for the most commercial sound right now.
  3. K5144
    Sep 2, 2019
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was an ok album, songs such as NASA, ghostin and bloodline are fantastic, however, a lot of the songs seem rushed and repetitive. thank u next was boring and a little overrated. Her worst album so far, it was quite disappointing just because I thought sweetener was so amazing and so very creative.… Expand
  4. AlistairTun
    Oct 30, 2020
    6
    Thank u next has good songs but isn't Ariana's best album, better than Yours Truly but below Dangerous Woman and Sweetener.
  5. filipkazm
    Feb 11, 2019
    4
    It definitelly has some stand-out moments but clearly looks like a rushed effort to cash in on thank u next going viral. I like needy and NASA but some of the tracks feel very iunderwritten, this album really doesn't look to great when you compare it to last years Sweetner
  6. witchrosa
    Sep 1, 2019
    5
    Ariana is a very talented artist with a beautiful voice. That being said, Thank u next is not her best work. It's a bit repetitive and incoherent. I am still looking forward to whatever she comes out with next.
  7. gabrielfalb
    Aug 23, 2019
    6
    It's a pretty good album overall, the vocals were on point, but the lyrics are not really good. "make up" is by far the worst.
  8. ewertonmm
    Jun 15, 2019
    6
    This is ok. Her voice saves most of the tracks. But it lacks some originality. Why does she wants to be black so bad?
  9. IlanBrem
    Jun 22, 2019
    6
    imagine 7/10 the beat is good and Ariana's singing is really good, but it drags in the end.
    needy 6/10 i really like the beat and ariana's singing is good here.
    NASA 5.5/10 the beat is okay here and Ariana's singing is okay too... this is a skip. bloodline 5/10 the beat isn't good here and Ariana is average here. fake smile 7/10 the beat is really good and Ariana does a good job here.    imagine 7/10 the beat is good and Ariana's singing is really good, but it drags in the end.
    needy 6/10 i really like the beat and ariana's singing is good here.
    NASA 5.5/10 the beat is okay here and Ariana's singing is okay too... this is a skip.
    bloodline 5/10 the beat isn't good here and Ariana is average here.
    fake smile 7/10 the beat is really good and Ariana does a good job here.
    bad idea 6/10 the beat is good and so is Ariana but nothing special.
    make up 5.5/10 the beat is average but isn't Ariana good here
    ghostin 6/10 the beat is really good and so is Ariana.
    in my head 5.5/10 the beat here is really good but Ariana doesn't work here.
    7 rings 1.5/10 the beat is really bad and so is Ariana here one of the most annoying songs of the year.
    thank u, next 8/10 the beat is great and so is Ariana but this song is overrated.
    break up with ur girlfriend, i'm bored 7/10 the beat is amazing but Ariana is only okay.
    overall 5.8/10 isn't as good as i thought it will be.    … Expand
  10. marrbo
    Aug 23, 2019
    6
    Not a bad album but honestly sweetener was better. It has some bops but not as much good songs.
  11. bodakyellow
    Feb 10, 2019
    4
    The album is nothing compared to Sweetener. Most songs are simply radio-friendly tracks that sound too mainstream despite their lyrical depth. Favourite tracks: imagine, needy, 7 rings, thank u, next
  12. ultimatemusic
    Feb 16, 2019
    6
    I guess this album I do have to get something off my chest a little bit. Ariana Grande has certainly worked hard and been through a hell of a lot to get where she is today. She is undoubtedly one of the biggest pop stars on the planet right now, and if her success matches her last 2 albums, she could become a huge household name and path the way for new and upcoming artists in years toI guess this album I do have to get something off my chest a little bit. Ariana Grande has certainly worked hard and been through a hell of a lot to get where she is today. She is undoubtedly one of the biggest pop stars on the planet right now, and if her success matches her last 2 albums, she could become a huge household name and path the way for new and upcoming artists in years to come. But not if she continues to make music like this.

    Ariana started off creating music that was suited to her. It was her style, and for me, that’s why I loved about her. I loved this whole bubblegum pop, the innocence of a new artist confessing her love for guys and creating these really happy songs, and whilst I understand that Ariana has evolved, she has evolved on the wrong path. She has been caught up in this “trend” of trap music and songs that are being played on the radio now. Ariana for me, doesn’t need to do that. She could make any song she wanted and it would be a hit. I’m not sure if tis is because this is genuinely the type of artists that she wants to be, or if this is simply just because her and her team are playing it safe and they know that releasing this kind of music would nab the attention. I do hate to say it because Ariana has the potential to really blow sit out of the park, and we’ve seen her do that.

    Whilst I grasp the concept that this album was released and recorded as part of therapy for Ariana, I feel like this album has been rushed in moer ways than one. A lot of the tracks are the same start to finish. Same melodies, same baking track… I don’t feel like this album takes you on a journey. There are the few exceptions, but I just don’t get the whole Ariana Grande package. There are a lot of people that will disagree with me, but I feel like we’re losing the Ariana Grande that had her own body of work and image and was creating music that could have longevity, to releasing those quick fire singles that burn out after 3 months, and it’s a shame because Ariana is probably one of the last real genuinely talented artists out there at the moment that could reach and do so many iconic things in her career, but she’s fitting into this mould of money making, music trend artist, and they just aren’t remembered.

    Favourite song? ghostin or bloodline    … Expand
  13. halisolleon
    Feb 9, 2019
    6
    This album is a perfect storm with a rainbow inside. Repetitive production with a great songwriting isn't a good combination. Sounds like a lost and weak twin of the prodigious 'sweetener'.
  14. DrBlahBlah
    Feb 17, 2019
    5
    Why do so many critics like this derivative pablum? "7 Rings" is a rip off of at least three far better songs, "My Favorite Things" in particular, and "Thank U Next," while catchy, and despite its good intentions, is one of the most self-aggrandizing tunes in recent memory. The rest of the tracks are more or less interchangeable, with occasional flickers of originality that only slightlyWhy do so many critics like this derivative pablum? "7 Rings" is a rip off of at least three far better songs, "My Favorite Things" in particular, and "Thank U Next," while catchy, and despite its good intentions, is one of the most self-aggrandizing tunes in recent memory. The rest of the tracks are more or less interchangeable, with occasional flickers of originality that only slightly redeem the album's lyrical and sonic banality. (Thank u, next.)… Expand
  15. gingerpresident
    Jul 12, 2019
    4
    I laugh out loud sometimes.

    Ariana Grande has talent and a beautiful voice, she did good albums in the past, but this album is her worst. Even worse than the already extra boring Sweetener, that, at least, had some very good songs. The very big track in here is Bloodline.
  16. NolanLundgaard
    Mar 4, 2021
    4
    thank u, next by Ariana Grande: 3.17

    imagine: 0.5 needy: 1 NASA: 0.25 bloodline: 0.75 fake smile: 0.5 bad idea: 0.75 make up: 0.25 ghostin: 1 in my head: 0.5 7 rings: 0 thank u, next: 1 :) break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored: 0.25 6.75/12 ~ .563 -> 3.17 How many misfires does it take for these mistakes to become a new normal? This is what I am experiencing with    thank u, next by Ariana Grande: 3.17

    imagine: 0.5
    needy: 1
    NASA: 0.25
    bloodline: 0.75
    fake smile: 0.5
    bad idea: 0.75
    make up: 0.25
    ghostin: 1
    in my head: 0.5
    7 rings: 0
    thank u, next: 1 :)
    break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored: 0.25

    6.75/12 ~ .563 -> 3.17

    How many misfires does it take for these mistakes to become a new normal? This is what I am experiencing with Ariana Grande. Her previous two albums, “Sweetener” and “thank u, next” have both been pretty darn bad, which is a disappointment after the semi-decent hit-or-miss “Dangerous Woman.” Almost every song on thank u, next is plagued by electronic drum kits that just don’t sound that great, which becomes repetitive and tiring. A lot of the songs are also pretty oversexualized and Grande uses so much language that it becomes distracting. Unfortunately, this is what happens when pop artists go “current.” They get so focused on popularity that they will sacrifice their music quality for radio plays. This is not always a bad thing, though. Some artists have been able to do this fairly well, though Grande seems to have fallen into the trap (get it?) of low-effort, explicit tunes, which is very disappointing for someone who just wants some good pop. With thank u, next, Ariana Grande establishes a rather unfortunate losing streak. I viewed Sweetener as bad because a lot of the music sounded the same and I saw an overall decrease in quality in the lyrics. thank u, next is the same story: not great lyrics (though less annoying than Sweetener), including lots of unnecessary expletives, and generic music throughout (even Sweetener had a couple good poppy songs sprinkled in). I really hope that Grande strays from this style that she has adopted and goes back to something like Dangerous Woman. Fans of current, generic music will appreciate this album. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to see anyone liking this as a whole, except for huge Ariana Grande fans of course. I will listen to Positions, her next, but I sure hope that it is better than this. Highlights: needy; ghostin; and thank u, next.    … Expand
  17. iamxpedro
    Mar 10, 2019
    6
    She can do so much better than this. Not her best album, but has some catchy, danceable songs that I could enjoy in a party with my friends, but won't listen in my headphones. Still it's a great album and some of the lyrics have a meaning.
  18. zinedinrabia
    Sep 5, 2019
    5
    Ariana Grande took everything i liked about her and threw it out of the window
    Thank U, Next is 12 generic "pop" tracks that try so desperately to appeal to hip hop listeners... songs like 7 rings break up... sound so basic let alone the bad messages behind the lyrics...
    in my head imagine needy are all forgettable tracks
    overall it's an ok project that aged after few weeks
  19. FDuarte
    Feb 10, 2019
    4
    It's a perfect album. Ariana Grande is the new pop revolution
  20. estevancomn
    Feb 9, 2019
    6
    Seis meses atrás, Ariana Grande provava para o mundo que havia encontrado sua identidade e que era sim uma das grandes popstars
    da atualidade (sendo a principal de sua geração) com o ótimo Sweetener. Hoje, após o lançamento de mais um disco, a teoria se confirma! No entanto, não de uma forma tão positiva quanto o álbum antecessor. Com a produção impecável e limpa de Max Martin, além da    Seis meses atrás, Ariana Grande provava para o mundo que havia encontrado sua identidade e que era sim uma das grandes popstars
    da atualidade (sendo a principal de sua geração) com o ótimo Sweetener. Hoje, após o lançamento de mais um disco, a teoria se confirma! No entanto, não de uma forma tão positiva quanto o álbum antecessor. Com a produção impecável e limpa de Max Martin, além da voz perfeita de Grande, Thank U, Next se consolida como um registro pop, com os dois pés fincados no hip-hop - Assim confirmando uma tendência mundial desta década, de que "o trap é o novo pop". Liricamente, as faixas são um tanto rasas e sem inspiração. Os singles, apesar de conquistarem o topo das principais paradas musicais, são fracos se comparamos com outras canções da mesma artista, como No Tears Left to Cry e Into You. Principalmente 7 Rings - talvez uma das piores canções de Grande.
    De forma geral, o disco tem seus momentos de brilho e que consolidam o talento de Ariana Grande.    … Expand
  21. NETMUSIC
    Apr 7, 2019
    5
    Disappointing return from Ariana Grande, especially after Sweetener.

    Album highlights; 'needy', '7 rings', 'nasa', 'thank u, next' and 'bloodline'
    Album downfalls: 'in my head' and 'make up'
  22. MusicSpy
    Apr 2, 2019
    5
    Ariana didnt’t do nothing but give us the trap vibes we are tired to see. Seems like the ascend pop girl’s trying to enter in a rap game she can’t handle, if we analyse the whole album. It’s incohesive, super repetitive and enjoative at the same time, excluding the tracks “Ghostin” and “Bad Idea” which give the real great vocal range and personal lyrics, strong content & production with aAriana didnt’t do nothing but give us the trap vibes we are tired to see. Seems like the ascend pop girl’s trying to enter in a rap game she can’t handle, if we analyse the whole album. It’s incohesive, super repetitive and enjoative at the same time, excluding the tracks “Ghostin” and “Bad Idea” which give the real great vocal range and personal lyrics, strong content & production with a good outro, unfortunally the rest of the album didn’t do this job. (5.3/10)… Expand
  23. perrydelrey
    Jan 26, 2020
    5
    Ariana Grande voltou com seu mais novo álbum e com isso atingiu o auge de sua carreira. Embora tenha feito um grande sucesso nas paradas musicais o álbum em si demonstra ser mais um álbum pop com uma pegada R&B + Trap em que esse último gênero citado é o que está fazendo sucesso atualmente. Assim como o Sweetener, Grande não conseguiu entregar nada de inovador. Que fique claro que o álbumAriana Grande voltou com seu mais novo álbum e com isso atingiu o auge de sua carreira. Embora tenha feito um grande sucesso nas paradas musicais o álbum em si demonstra ser mais um álbum pop com uma pegada R&B + Trap em que esse último gênero citado é o que está fazendo sucesso atualmente. Assim como o Sweetener, Grande não conseguiu entregar nada de inovador. Que fique claro que o álbum não é ruim, longe disso, é apenas mais um álbum "ok" lançado para fazer sucesso.… Expand
  24. soundmate
    Sep 15, 2019
    6
    Thank U, Next is the Ariana Grande album every fan of her wants to have if you have been a fan of her work since 2016 and have only listened to her radio-friendly singles. Being a fan of her since her 2013 debut studio album "Yours Truly" I have been able to see Grande's musical evolution. She began in the music industry as this little girl meant to be a main pop icon but with a lack ofThank U, Next is the Ariana Grande album every fan of her wants to have if you have been a fan of her work since 2016 and have only listened to her radio-friendly singles. Being a fan of her since her 2013 debut studio album "Yours Truly" I have been able to see Grande's musical evolution. She began in the music industry as this little girl meant to be a main pop icon but with a lack of confidence and extrovertism. Through the years she has been able to find her own sound with her previous album "Sweetener", released in August 2018. The different sound this album had in comparison with her first three was shocking but at the same time empowering. I really thought Grande had found her sound and voice through American producer Pharrell Williams but, in Thank U Next, sadly, I don't see any evolution but a mix of all her previous songs. Some songs on the album like Needy, Ghostin or the title track are deep, personal and emotional but we can't name this neither the best or the most political album of Grande. Ariana, I wanna know you. I want to know your opinion on politics, on love, on climate change, on life. I see you tweeting about all this topics but I really want to listen to you talking about them in your music. Dear Ariana, you have an amazing vocal ability and you're one of the most popular and followed singers on earth; you can definitely change the world in a second. Don't hide your feelings. I know you have a message, let it go.… Expand
  25. TUNex
    Nov 30, 2019
    5
    Her best work yet. Already can't wait for her next one. For now I gonna keep enjoying this one until I'm tired. It's hard to pick favorite track but if I have to I'll choose 'ghostin'.
  26. kanaan88
    Jan 11, 2020
    6
    Ariana lo hace bien, pero hay algunas canciones que no logran dar el alto por las demás.
  27. Barbara1234
    Jan 12, 2020
    6
    I only liked a few songs but overall it was an average album. The songs are a bit too similar with the whole pop vibe and one "ballad". There is 4 songs excluding the single that I would replay so 5/6 out of 10 would give it my rating!! See Ariana fan that's how you rate an album not with 0 because you want another artist user metacritic score to be lower!!
  28. Afterglow_0202
    Jan 14, 2020
    6
    In the rare spots where the production is grating and the writing limp, Grande makes up for it with skill and intuition. The songs that hew closer to pop than hip-hop are the strongest because they show the most confidence, both vocally and musically. That there is even a disparity, however, points to the biggest problem with «thank u, next»: its occasional lack of a clear identity. It mayIn the rare spots where the production is grating and the writing limp, Grande makes up for it with skill and intuition. The songs that hew closer to pop than hip-hop are the strongest because they show the most confidence, both vocally and musically. That there is even a disparity, however, points to the biggest problem with «thank u, next»: its occasional lack of a clear identity. It may be an imperfect album but it’s a perfectly normal next chapter.… Expand
  29. cipriano
    Feb 6, 2020
    4
    Unlike everyone, the album has its totally basic and generic footprint. It appears to be totally commercial, and it does not convey anything rather than having anything to show by Ariana's own career evolution. It has the trap/pop footprint and it sounded in the ears a terrible thing, I can not disregard the fact of flawless vocals and that never lacks on its part, but its production andUnlike everyone, the album has its totally basic and generic footprint. It appears to be totally commercial, and it does not convey anything rather than having anything to show by Ariana's own career evolution. It has the trap/pop footprint and it sounded in the ears a terrible thing, I can not disregard the fact of flawless vocals and that never lacks on its part, but its production and compositions (with gigantic number) had to be reviewed.… Expand
  30. phamhung211001
    Dec 12, 2020
    6
    Cet album me montre la vérité: Ariana Grande ne pourra pas produire un grand album comme Sweetener. Cependant, dans cet album, il y a encore de très bonnes chansons.
  31. Stavush
    Apr 12, 2022
    4
    My least favourite from Ariana. Very dull musically and not as impressive vocally as her other albums. The more personal and vulnerable lyrics are overshadowed by the overly-minimalistic cheeky production that repeats itself on most tracks.
  32. joaotekiaware
    Jun 26, 2022
    5
    This is album is basic for an 'aoty' nomination. There's some good songs, but most of the album sounds uncreative, boring and generic. It's not a trash, but still not gold, she can do more. The melancholy songs are the best part, but the whole album sounds repetitive.
  33. andres288
    Jan 10, 2020
    6
    So much potential wasted, I think this was a rush, she must have take more time between Sweetener an this, to allow her to heal from what she suffered and where she is now. This is an album with a lot of bops but not much personal.
  34. TriciaHikari
    Aug 23, 2019
    4
    This album contains alot of explicit content but still the Production is good but few songs do sounds alike.
  35. deefr
    Aug 25, 2019
    4
    Ariana Grande clearly saw that she was a sucess with "sweteener" and made a new album in hurry, trying to make the same success with the new one. But it happens that "thank u, next" it's a really annoying album and much inferior to his predecessor.
    "7 Rings", "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored", "Needy" and "Thank U, Next" are great songs indeed. But the rest of the album contains    Ariana Grande clearly saw that she was a sucess with "sweteener" and made a new album in hurry, trying to make the same success with the new one. But it happens that "thank u, next" it's a really annoying album and much inferior to his predecessor.
    "7 Rings", "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored", "Needy" and "Thank U, Next" are great songs indeed. But the rest of the album contains the songs with the most annoying lyrics of the year.    … Expand
  36. Boyvirgoo
    Aug 30, 2019
    4
    This album is decent but overall, quite bland. Ariana does contradict herself in some points of songwriting and some tracks are just poorly done.
  37. martam
    Nov 2, 2020
    4
    A bunch of radio friendly songs put together, all songs are ''bops'', but that is all, it was an successful atemnpt to keep Ariana relevante ater Sweetner being dislike by her teenage fandom. With some exeptions like ''thank u, next'', the vocals are amazing, lyrics are overall generic, silly and boring and. production is repetitive. In conclusion great for the charts, no wonder this wasA bunch of radio friendly songs put together, all songs are ''bops'', but that is all, it was an successful atemnpt to keep Ariana relevante ater Sweetner being dislike by her teenage fandom. With some exeptions like ''thank u, next'', the vocals are amazing, lyrics are overall generic, silly and boring and. production is repetitive. In conclusion great for the charts, no wonder this was her biggest era… Expand
  38. SnHAIM
    Apr 19, 2020
    4
    How did this album score an 86, exactly? Will someone please explain that to me? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's genuinely curious. This album is definitely NOT a B+. Sure, it's a little bit better than Sweetener (which was an even bigger mess), but it isn't a good album. The lyrics are predictably unimpressive, and the subject matter isn't any better. Most of it is shallow, lacking inHow did this album score an 86, exactly? Will someone please explain that to me? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's genuinely curious. This album is definitely NOT a B+. Sure, it's a little bit better than Sweetener (which was an even bigger mess), but it isn't a good album. The lyrics are predictably unimpressive, and the subject matter isn't any better. Most of it is shallow, lacking in any kind of substance and depth. When she IS singing about something meaningful (Needy), her tone is still so breathy and sexy that it ruins the atmosphere of the whole song.… Expand
  39. Fra101
    Oct 31, 2020
    5
    I like Ariana Grande, I gave green/good scores to Dangerous Woman, Sweetener and Positions, so it's hard for me to give a bad score to an album by Ari, but I always skip this album, i'm sorry. Imagine is a good song, but then I feel like Needy is a little too much, and then there's NASA, which would be a good song as a buzz single, but inside of the album it sounds wrong to me, it's tooI like Ariana Grande, I gave green/good scores to Dangerous Woman, Sweetener and Positions, so it's hard for me to give a bad score to an album by Ari, but I always skip this album, i'm sorry. Imagine is a good song, but then I feel like Needy is a little too much, and then there's NASA, which would be a good song as a buzz single, but inside of the album it sounds wrong to me, it's too far from Needy. Not a big fan of the trap-vibes of some songs. 7 rings is just too much for me. Thank U Next is a funny song, so I do like it. The whole album is a mixture of songs which are not always linked to each other, some of them are good, some of them are not. I know Ariana made this album in a few months, and I think she should have waited a little more. More time, more inspiration, and a specific theme, would have made this album way better. In conclusion, I like some songs, but I don't like the album itself.… Expand
  40. TheLakes
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    Buen álbum, pero siento que le falto, muy sobrevalorado, amo a Ariana pero sinceramente dangerous woman es mucho mejor.
  41. BrieLYNN
    Oct 30, 2020
    6
    I think this is my favorite Ari album by far. There are some awesome catchy pop songs that get stuck in your head for days. I only gave it a 6 however because the lyrics start to feel pretty repetitive half way through the album, and same with the songs. They don't ALL sound the same, but it's like because she has such a powerful beautiful voice - she depends on that and never switches itI think this is my favorite Ari album by far. There are some awesome catchy pop songs that get stuck in your head for days. I only gave it a 6 however because the lyrics start to feel pretty repetitive half way through the album, and same with the songs. They don't ALL sound the same, but it's like because she has such a powerful beautiful voice - she depends on that and never switches it up enough. If you have heard Ari whistle and do runs in one song, you've heard half of her discography.… Expand
  42. moonxgoodnight
    Oct 30, 2020
    5
    as usual, Ariana delivers a powerful album and switches her style to pop/r&b, with songs to dance and cry to, which makes it a little treasure.
  43. fernandoserna
    Nov 3, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es un pésimo trabajo pero esto es más de lo que merece, quizá lo único que lo recata es su potencia vocal… Expand

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Album of 2019
4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 25, 2019
    90
    Occasionally, rarely, a record comes along that restores our faith. If this is the future of pop-music, then sign me up.
    Read full review
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 20, 2019
    90
    thank u, next builds on Sweetener by switching modes of scale. It’s less about looking at the world than being by yourself, more focused on the textures of memory than our actions stemming from it. ... thank u, next is also Ariana’s most stunning vocal album.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 19, 2019
    60
    [7 Rings] is a hit, but isn’t actually all that great, using Rodgers and Hammerstein’s My Favourite Things as its sing-song musical base. The rest of the album remains of interest for its evolutions in sound, delivery and attitude.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »