ARIANA GRANDE _ SWEETNER _ Bop or flop ??? Lit or skip ??? Does Ari & Pharell are a successful duo ???

Il existe une version française de cet article ; https://httpsoctopusmusic.blogspot.com/2018/08/ariana-grande-sweetener-cultissime-ou.html

Well, what a summer ??? Since June, we had the chance to see a series of comeback : Beyonce & Jay Z, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa or Iggy Azalea. So, who's next, who will end these holidays as it should be ??? Nobody but Ariana Grande !!! The one whose success has not waned since 2014 imposed herself in the music industry in a remarkable way. However, does Ariana who released 3 albums in just 4 years is armed enough to face this year full of comebacks ? Is she able to combine productivity and quality ?

Yes, rare are the ones like Ariana, who were capable of making their own way in the ruthless world of music. 4 years ago, the one that nobody ever heard of, maded a prominent entrance in the music industry. Who never danced on Problem, Bang bang or Love me harder (i know you're lying), and what a voice ; soprano with four octaves. This woman full of surprises also released an album in 2016, and returned with sulphurous tracks as Side to side or Dangerous woman.

So, what does she prepared, this time ??? Will this collaboration with Pharell Williams (Sweetener producer) be part of the great projects of 2018? ??? 

1/4 ; BLAZED / THE LIGHT IS COMING / R.E.M 😌😌😌

For me, this first quarter of album is not really good. Pharell Williams productions are perfect : there's electronic sounds and a deep bass (what made him so succesful). Ariana's and Pharell voices sound very good together in Blazed (6/10). But unluckily, if we detail it a bit more, there's nothing very exciting about it. Melodies are not catchy and there's no  lyrical flights. What a waste, because the instrumentals are fire. So, i give to The light is coming a score of (6/10) because it is a bit off-topic and i give to R.E.M a grade of (8/10) because it's energic and fresh. You really can do better, Ariana.

2/4 ; GOD IS A WOMAN / SWEETENER / SUCCESSFUL🔥🔥🔥

FINALLY !!!!!! In this kind of songs, you can believe god is be a woman, maybe Ariana (joking). We finally regained her strong & beautiful voice. God is a woman (8/10) is really good, i love this swaying betwin verses and chorus. I also appreciate this gospel mood in the song. Sweetener & Successful (9,5/10) are also excelllent. The major key in the two track is refreshing and the little percussions are cool too. Thank you Pharell, you're a genius.

3/4 ; NO TEARS LEFT TO CRY / BORDERLINE 😒😒😒

After two corny R&B tracks, ; (Everytime, Breathin (4 /10)), No tears left to cry (9/10) catch up the album. These disco and pop influences reminds me Madonna's 90's era. The song is not extraordinary but the production and the final mix are really good . Regarding Borderline (5/10), this is really not a good song, luckily Queen Missy Elliot (I love you) rescued the track.

4/4 ; BETTER OFF / GOODNIGHT / GET WELL SOON 🤗🤗🤗

Intimate, calm, slow, sexy, perfect to watch the rain fall, in the comfort of home. This is how i would describe Pete (6,5/10), Better off & Goodnight (7/10). They are great successes. And there's the last track, Get well soon (9/10), R&B but romantic. I really love this song, because beyonce sound, the message is touching. Indeed, the singer which was here during the Machester attack gives an emotional homage to the victims. I feel like this song is a perfect mix between the old and the new Ariana who grown since this tragic event. 

VERDICT ??? 

My opinion about Sweetener is'nt really positive ; most songs are good but some others really ruined the album and this is why Queen by Nicki Minaj dit it better. I understand the refine design of the album, but songs like Borderline, The light is coming, Everytime or Breathin' should'nt be here. Even if Queen's tracks were not all good, the project had a real coherence. I don't want to be misunderstood ; Sweetener has a lot of good songs (congratulations, Pharell Williams) but because of Max Martin's productions, the magic does not happen. That is why i give to Sweetener a grade of 6/10.

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