The 17 best and 17 worst Ariana Grande songs of all time

ariana grande coachella

Ariana Grande headlined Coachella in 2019.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG
  • Ariana Grande has some iconic hits like "Thank U, Next," likewise as sublime deep cuts similar "Simply ane."
  • "Nasty" and "POV" — from her newest anthology "Positions" — joined the ranks of her best-ever songs.
  • However, Grande has besides released some duds, including "Blazed," "Focus," and "Bang Bang."

When "Victorious" premiered on Nickelodeon in March 2010, Ariana Grande became known as the bubbly, spacey, carmine-haired Cat Valentine, a high schooler with a prodigious phonation.

The following year, she released her debut single — and less than 3 years later, Grande had seamlessly pivoted to a full-fourth dimension music career. Though it took some time to carve her own unique space in a crowded industry, she at present boasts six studio albums, xi Grammy nominations, and a reputation as an illustrious, fearless pop icon.

Insider weighed factors like listenability, lyrical quality, product value, and critic reception to come up with the 17 all-time and 17 worst songs of the singer'south career thus far.

(Annotation: Songs with Grande every bit a featured artist were not factored into these rankings.)

"Nasty" proves that Grande's singular song ability can elevate whatsoever vocal template.

"Nasty" is the ninth track on "Positions."
Dave Meyers

The dialogue surrounding "Nasty" has focused too much on its filthy premise and not about enough on how much it slaps.

The song pairs a shimmery, virtually-spooky landscape with an rubberband trap trounce. Thanks to this ingenious production from The Rascals, "Nasty" bounces and glides. In my first-listen review, I compared its vibe to "a mist that makes you tipsy if y'all walk through it, or a very glamorous ghost."

Sprinkled with Grande'due south coincidental whistle notes, "Nasty" is an effortless display of taste and talent.

That she tin can sing these horny-teenager lyrics ("Get all the homies to bounce / Switch from the bed to the couch / And become to know how I'k feelin' inside") and sound positively heaven-sent is a testament to Grande'southward singularity. "Nasty" speaks to her power as a vocalist — as well equally her conviction to stride into whatever musical terrain, slip on any prepare of lyrics, and own the room.

Vocal highlight: "Like this pussy designed for ya" is a brilliantly unhinged phrase.

If yous like this, listen to: "Safety Net," "West Side"

"POV" is the emotional acme of Grande's sixth album, "Positions."

"POV" is the 14th track on "Positions."
Democracy Records

"POV," the terminal song on Grande's 6th album "Positions," is musical dessert. Placed ingeniously at the stop of the tracklist, it leaves you lot with a sweet taste and rosy-cheeked emotional fullness.

Unsurprisingly, Grande's vocals are transcendent, particularly in the last verse.

But what's more, lyrically, "POV" may exist the all-time ballad in Grande's entire catalog.

This vocal is sentimental and expressive without feeling pretentious ("How you touch my soul from the outside? / Permeate my ego and my pride"); conversational and yet poetic ("I'd honey to see me from your signal of view"). Grande nudges y'all to recollect her past trauma and pain, but remains radiantly hopeful, like a slowly blooming bloom.

Vocal highlight: The rainy sound furnishings imbue the song with a beautifully textured, meditative free energy.

If you like this, listen to: "Obvious," "Main Matter"

"Thank U, Next" is Grande's most iconic song to date.

"Thank U, Next" was released equally the album's lead single on November 3, 2018.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

No one else could have written "Thank U, Next."

I do mean that in a literal sense, given the song's intensely personal content. But additionally, on an emotional and spiritual level, simply Grande — at this specific moment in her career — could accept channeled this sort of amuse and wisdom into a popular song with an inside joke for a title.

The cliché phrase near catching lightning in a canteen was designed for whatever brilliance coursed through Grande's veins when she recorded this song — and so again when she found the courage to release it in its well-nigh raw, honest form. It literally inverse the trajectory of her career, and probably the essential Dna of popular music, for the rest of fourth dimension.

Song highlight: Opening a song past name-dropping ex-boyfriends? Instantly iconic.

If yous like this, listen to: "Fellow," "Positions"

"Into You" is the perfect pop song.

"Into You" was released as the 2d single from "Dangerous Adult female" on May six, 2016.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

What can I say about "Into You" that hasn't already been said, or at to the lowest degree adoringly projected?

In terms of your classic, most successful version of a "popular song" — a vibrant, catchy, open-hearted confection that induces sheer euphoria and/or an irresistible urge to trip the light fantastic toe — "Into You" is the holy grail.

Vocal highlight: Grande nails her depression annals equally she purrs that perfect opening line: "I'm and so into you, I tin barely breathe."

If you like this, listen to: "Knew Better / Forever Boy"

"No Tears Left to Weep" embodies everything there is to beloved most Grande, both as a person and an creative person.

"No Tears Left to Cry" was released as the atomic number 82 single from "Sweetener" on April 20, 2018.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"No Tears Left to Cry" is the kind of song that makes you call up exactly where y'all were and who you were with when yous heard it for the first fourth dimension.

With its sudden tempo shift and UK garage-inspired beat, the song is weird, especially compared to Grande'due south previous work. Releasing it as "Sweetener'due south" lead single was a choice — but only in the best possible fashion.

"No Tears" is intoxicating, energizing, and bubbly, like a gulp of spiked soda on a hot summer day. It would be a astounding song by any standards, but for Grande, it was also an important moment: The single was her offset release later on the Manchester bombing, and instead of retreating into balladry or crooning a traditional tribute, she mourned while she soared.

"No Tears" confirmed that she hadn't lost her optimism or range in the face up of trauma, and solidified Grande as our modernistic poptimist prophet.

Song highlight: "Right now, I'one thousand in a land of mind / I wanna exist in like all the time." The "like" iskey.

If you like this, listen to: "Rain On Me"

"God Is a Woman" feels like a portal to an otherworldly, feminist paradise.

"God Is a Woman" was released as the 2nd single from "Sweetener" on July 13, 2018.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

As I wrote when Insider ranked "God Is a Adult female" at No. 80 on our list of the decade'southward all-time songs: If "No Tears Left to Cry" was Grande'due south triumphant comeback single, "God Is a Woman" allow us know that we actually had it all wrong. "Sweetener" wouldn't simply be a comeback: It was a rebirth, the piece of work of a new-age icon approaching her artistic acme — and "God Is a Woman" was its thesis argument.

Generally, Grande's futuristic-affections anthology is all-time heard equally a consummate experience, with each song playing off and elevating the others. Listening to "Sweetener" feels like hopping from one deject to another.

But "God Is a Woman" exists in its own universe, taking a detour across the visible atmosphere and skyrocketing into Grande's vividly feminine paradise.

Song highlight: The choir of Grande voices that closes the vocal truly brings it to another level.

If you like this, listen to: "Dangerous Woman"

"Needy" is the beating heart of Grande's best, well-nigh intimate album.

"Needy" is the second track on "Thank U, Side by side."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG

We previously named "Needy" one of the nine best songs released in 2019 — though truthfully, that feels inadequate. It'southward i of the best slow-pop songs in contempo memory and hands one of the brightest gems in Grande'due south catalog.

"Needy" operates on a level beyond lyrics or production; it creates an entire mood, a shift in the atmosphere, behaving more like an emotional moment or a memory than a vocal.

It feels similar you're sitting with Grande, hearts chirapsia and chests tightened, as she pens a late-dark diary entry. She makes "needy" sound similar a curse discussion and a prayer.

Song highlight: The evocative parallel of "Tell me how good information technology feels to exist needed," versus, "I know it feels so good to be needed."

If you lot like this, listen to: "Imagine," "Ghostin"

"R.E.M" is shimmering, warm, and brilliantly understated.

"R.Eastward.M" is the fourth track on "Sweetener." Grande performed the song on BBC Radio 1'southward Live Lounge.
BBCRadio1VEVO/YouTube

Pharrell'southward glittering product on "R.E.Chiliad." does wonders for Grande'south style. It allows her voice to remain the focus, but more sunlit than spotlit. She uses warm and tender tones rarely flexed in her earlier albums, which tend to stay dominated by (equally impressive but) far less subtle vocal runs.

Here are some images that leap to mind when I listen to this song: a warm summer breeze; cotton wool candy that doesn't taste disgusting; the sparkly eyes of anime characters; Monet's water lilies. It's like scrolling through a very nicely curated Tumblr feed, but for your ears instead of your optics.

Vocal highlight: "Alibi me, um... I love you."

If you similar this, heed to: "Goodnight n Go," "Pete Davidson"

Lyrically, "In My Head" is undoubtedly one of Grande'southward strongest songs ever.

"In My Head" is the ninth track on "Thank U, Next."
Ariana Grande/YouTube

At that place are then many vivid, deliciously intentional details in this song that it'southward hard to pick a favorite: the tough beloved from Grande's longtime friend, Doug Middlebrook; the specific mention of "Gucci tennis shoes," which feels like a subtle jab at Pete Davidson'due south "scumbro" aesthetic; the Biblical reference to Cain and Abel.

"In My Head" also features some incredibly sharp production. Information technology seamlessly blends elements of popular, trap, and R&B, striking hard without feeling obvious or effortful.

Song highlight: The tonal switch in the span adds another layer of depth and urgency. Plus, information technology features the song's well-nigh clever and relatable line: "I saw your potential without seeing credentials."

If you similar this, mind to: "Get out Me Lone"

"Get Well Soon" is an astonishing artistic statement.

"Get Well Shortly" is the 15th and concluding track on "Sweetener."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG

"Get Well Before long" is easily the most ambitious vocal in Grande's catalog — and information technology's impossible to enlarge how magnificently it paid off.

The "Sweetener" anthology closer is a shining example of the singer'due south artistry. Information technology's truly unlike anything else, both in terms of production and thematic resonance; it shows what she can really exercise when she's unconcerned with traditional song structures, focused on healing, and provided plenty of soil to root and bloom.

There is enough depth, nuance, and emotion weaved into the rails's five minutes to saturate an entire album. And every layer — every celestial chord and hidden harmony and hypnotic "yuh" — is designed to swirl together and feel like a healing feel, a sonic embrace. When Grande chirps, "I'm with you, I'm with you, I'm with yous," yous tin can tell she means information technology.

Song highlight: "You tin feel it, feel it." Considering y'all actually can.

If you like this, listen to: "Honeymoon Avenue"

"Exist Alright" is a fan favorite, for good reason.

"Be Alright" was released every bit a promotional single on March 18, 2016.
Paul Bergen/Redferns

Although "Be Alright" never truly got its due — a music video, radio promotion, etc. — it's impossible to imagine an Ariana Grande concert without a crisply choreographed performance of her most accessibly optimistic song.

"Be Alright" is fairy-similar, weightless, and an absolutely essential member of Grande's discography; an invaluable element of any Grande-inspired playlist. For this fandom, it's similar an organ or a limb.

Vocal highlight: The subtle, anti-gravity drib that comes in the chorus, right after Grande's first assurance that "nosotros're gonna be alright."

If y'all like this, listen to: "Sweetener," "Successful"

"Only i" is timeless.

"Only ane" is the 14th track on "My Everything."
BBC

When Grande performed "Only 1" during a live BBC special in 2018, tweets with the video began circulating, many expressing excitement that she'd teased a new song.

Now, despite complaints of "locals," it's unfair to wait every fan to know an artist'south discography top to bottom. What strikes me most about those tweets is how modern, how innovative, how very refreshing "Only one" would sound if it had sabbatum untouched for the past vi years and Grande released information technology for the first fourth dimension today. Or any day, really. It never gets old.

Song highlight: The song run in the chorus: "No I can't / BEEeee yoOURr but 1."

If you like this, mind to: "Tattooed Heart," "Dominion the World"

"Simulated Grinning" is a hard-earned reclamation.

"Fake Smiling" is the fifth track on "Thank U, Next."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG

"Fake Smile" is a critical favorite from "Thank U, Next," which makes perfect sense given its inspired Wendy Rene sample and blunt, defiant thesis.

"F--- a fake smile" is inappreciably a radio-friendly claw, but that's the whole point; Grande rejects every expectation of a squeaky-make clean popular star, every sexist snicker to "smile more," and reclaims her grief equally a triumph.

Song highlight: The interpolation of Wendy Rene'southward "After Laughter (Comes Tears)," well-nigh famously sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan, gracefully highlights the album's debt to soul, R&B, and Black artists.

If you like this, listen to: "Bad Idea," "Bloodline"

Put simply, "Everytime" slaps.

"Everytime" is the eighth rail on "Sweetener."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

"Everytime" is such a clear withal underappreciated highlight on "Sweetener."

The song feels similar a conversation that you'd take with your best friend, or a drunken monologue in the back of an Uber: "Y'all get high and call on the regular / I get weak and fall like a teenager," Grande sings, one-half-frustrated and half-defiant. "I get drunk, pretend that I'k over information technology / Self-destruct, show up like an idiot."

Set up to a recklessly fun, trap-infused beat, it'southward incommunicable not to get swept up in the whole experience — much like Grande gets swept up in her toxic patterns. It's a hit moment of cocky-reflection, and even so, she's not exactly vowing to make a change. She doesn't sound preachy, or defeatist, or pretentiously self-aware. She sounds similar a person who's figuring it out and having fun at the same time.

"Everytime" takes a situation so familiar, and then relatable for many of Grande'southward xx-something female person fans, and turns it into a direct-upwards banger.

Song highlight: I'm a sucker for a song with an unobvious song championship. Calling it "Dorsum to Y'all" would've stripped some of its magic abroad.

If you like this, listen to: "Bad Decisions," "Worst Behavior"

"Baby I" is the crown precious stone of Grande's debut album, "Yours Truly."

"Baby I" was released as the 2nd single from "Yours Truly" on July 22, 2013.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"Babe I" is conspicuously the product of Grande'due south early on obsessions and stylistic crutches — old Hollywood glamour, retro Mariah Carey, a touch of Broadway drama, "Dreamgirls" with a youthful twist — merely it nonetheless manages to feel dynamic.

While many songs on "Yours Truly" tin feel dated, impersonal, or a touch too Broadway these days, "Infant I" bears early on prove of Grande's evolution. She stretches her voice and darts between styles, flitting through a pseudo-rap delivery in the chorus ("But every time I attempt to say it, words, they only complicate it") and letting some attitude leak through in the bridge.

Nosotros all know Grande tin out-sing the other girls; her all-time songs don't only rely on breezy verses and impressive falsetto, but likewise show off some risk and personality.

Song highlight: Mac Miller, then but Grande's shut friend and collaborator, convinced her to release "Infant I" every bit her debut anthology's second unmarried, which is just and then cute.

If you like this, mind to: "The Mode," "You'll Never Know"

"Thinking Bout You" combines dazzling vocals with atmospheric product.

"Thinking Bout You" is the 15th and terminal track on "Unsafe Woman."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

"Thinking Bout You lot" was the perfect way to close "Dangerous Woman," an anthology ostensibly designed to showcase Grande's womanhood. The vocal acts equally a grounding forcefulness, specially at the end of such an eclectic tracklist, and leaves you with a feeling of gravity and maturity.

The great power of "Thinking Bout You" lies in its gradual build. The heady, thumping first verse gives style to Grande'southward imperial vocals, then to a twinkling chorus. The song moves in waves, finally cresting in the cathartic bridge, which ends like a outburst of lightning from an overcast sky.

The song combines delicate melancholia and enigmatic, suggestive lyrics to create a swelling, freeing experience. Whether it'southward well-nigh sex or late-night nostalgia or something else entirely, "Thinking Tour You" is a remarkable feat of particular-oriented production and emotional edging.

Song highlight: The swell of synths that follow and envelop the span'southward terminal line: "Only at least I accept the memory."

If you like this, heed to: "Adore"

"One Last Time" feels at once spacious, uplifting, and melancholic.

"1 Last Time" was released as the fifth and terminal single from "My Everything" on February viii, 2015.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"One Last Fourth dimension" is a truly one-of-a-kind song. Like any bully mid-2010s popular striking, information technology boasts a bright, confident hook and EDM-inspired synths — simply it'south likewise an exquisite cocktail of emotion.

It glides and sparkles like a radio-friendly bop, so it may exit you feeling very hopeful, but could but equally easily make you cry. "Ane Last Time" practically vibrates with sincerity; it's like a iii-infinitesimal therapy session.

Of course, the vocal'southward gravity increased when "One Last Time" was re-released as a charity single in 2017 to raise coin for the Manchester bombing victims. After Grande and her friends performed the song at the cease of Ane Love Manchester, fans adopted "One Last Time" as a symbol of resilience and radical empathy.

Song highlight: Opening a vocal with a confession, "I was a liar, I gave in to the fire," is so tender and admirably assuming.

If you similar this, listen to: "Breathin"

"Focus" is a inexpensive "Problem" knockoff.

"Focus" was released as a standalone single in 2015.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"Focus" is fairly catchy enough, simply it'south such an obvious attempt to recreate the magic of "Problem" that it loses all credibility. It's just uninspired (and nowhere about as good as "Problem").

Worst criminal offence: The guy saying "focus on me" in the chorus is annoying at best and grossly misheard at worst.

Saving grace: I do love trumpets in a popular song.

"Don't Telephone call Me Angel" should have been so much improve.

"Don't Call Me Angel" was released as the lead unmarried from the "Charlie'south Angels" soundtrack on September 13, 2019.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"Don't Phone call Me Affections" isn't bad and so much as it's disappointing. A collaboration between Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey had so much promise. These are three of the most powerful and trendsetting voices in music, after all. And withal, they delivered a deeply forgettable, uninspired single that suffered even more than thanks to all its hype.

To be fair, the singers' creative energies were surely stunted by the vibe of the 2019 "Charlie's Angels" film, its themes, and how those were meant to exist reflected in the soundtrack — but many artists, especially in contempo memory, accept overcome such limitations and delivered innovative, cinematic music regardless. Kendrick Lamar'southward "Black Panther" soundtrack and Beyoncé's "Lion King" soundtrack both come to listen.

Worst offense: Grande's poetry is actually the nigh boring out of the three.

Saving grace: All three women serve some incredible looks in the music video.

"Blazed," featuring Pharrell Williams, had no business beingness the first real song on "Sweetener."

"Blazed" is the second rail on "Sweetener."
Republic Records

Williams did some infrequent work with his production on "Sweetener," and he had a major impact on the direction of the album; it seems clear that Williams helped tease something raw and untested out of Grande that allowed her to create some of the all-time music of her career.

Unfortunately, the only song that actually lists Williams as a featured artist is the about unnecessary three minutes in the entire tracklist. "Blazed" sounds a bit like a watered-downward "Sweetener" or a duller "R.Eastward.Chiliad." It'south certainly not unpleasant, just if "Sweetener" has a skip, it's this 1.

Worst criminal offense: It's the first existent song on the tracklist afterward the "Raindrops" intro, which undercuts the overall power of the anthology.

Saving grace: The song'southward themes of luck and romantic awe are truly ambrosial, particularly in the first poetry: "7 billion is on the Earth / Could've been anywhere, simply yous're here with me / Should I play lotto? What'due south it worth?"

Crucial mistakes were made with "The Light Is Coming."

"The Low-cal Is Coming" was released as a promotional single for "Sweetener" on June 20, 2018.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"The Light Is Coming" seems to exist a favorite of Grande's, and information technology definitely hits different when she performs it alive — but seemingly small decisions threw the studio version of the vocal completely off rails.

Firstly, opening the song with Nicki Minaj'due south verse was a error. Information technology automatically puts you in a disoriented state, and Minaj does a poor task of introducing the true essence of Grande's message.

Secondly, and most importantly, having the infamous sample (a human being yelling, "You wouldn't let anybody speak, and instead!") repeat throughout the entire song ruins the listening experience. One time your ears are tuned to it, information technology's impossible to ignore.

Worst offense: If Williams, who produced the track, had put Minaj'southward poesy later in the song (think: "Side to Side") and toned down the utilize of the sample (like, perhaps one or two uses sprinkled in for effect), "The Light is Coming" could've been a whole bop.

Saving grace: "The light is coming to give dorsum everything the darkness stole" is a lovely sentiment to build a song upon, particularly given "Sweetener's" optimistic, healing tone.

"Bang Blindside" just doesn't hit similar it used to.

"Bang Blindside" is the 13th track on "My Everything."
Jessie J/YouTube

"Blindside Bang" is such a sore spot for Grande's fans that it'south literally become a joke.

It'south been reported that Grande "hated" the song when she first recorded it, and information technology makes sense why; especially now, many years afterwards it was fatally overplayed on the radio, "Bang Blindside" feels incongruous with Grande's style and personality.

"i think that sounds really dainty," Grande wrote on Twitter in 2018, when a fan asked most the possibility of a combined "Sweetener" and "Thank U, Adjacent" tour. "lots of new materiaaaaal + oldies (the oldies we similar). i mean unless y'all wanna hear bang bang once again."

When some other fan replied, "GIRL I NEVER WANNA HEAR THAT Due south--- AGAIN," Grande agreed: "thank god. can't expect to show this to my team."

Worst criminal offense: Despite how overplayed and tired information technology is, it'll still get stuck in your head.

Saving grace: On principle, we honey an all-ladies collaboration.

"Everyday," featuring Futurity, is a standard trap-pop song with no real charm.

"Everyday" was released every bit the fourth and concluding single from from "Unsafe Woman" on January 10, 2017.
Ariana Grande/YouTube

"Dangerous Adult female" was released the same year that Future became the fastest solo artist to score iii No. ane albums on the Billboard 200 in more than 50 years; shortly afterwards "Everyday" was released as a single, he became the offset artist in the chart'southward history to reach back-to-dorsum No. ane debuts in successive weeks.

All this to say: Selecting "Everyday" as a single was an obvious ploy for attending in a Time to come-dominated (and increasingly rap-pop-fusion-friendly) radio landscape. I don't think it was selected for its quality, of which at that place is little.

The chorus is tedious, the lyrics are uninventive — and confronting all odds, Future's contribution makes the song worse, not improve.

Worst criminal offense: "He givin' me that adept s--- / That brand me not quit." Ugh.

Saving grace: The LGBTQ representation in the vocal's horny music video.

Fifty-fifty Grande is underwhelmed by "Impact It."

"Touch It" is the 13th track on "Dangerous Woman."
Republic Records

"Touch It" feels similar a filler. Information technology doesn't bring anything interesting lyrically; Grande covers similar feelings of longing and lust and mischief in far superior songs similar "Into You," "Greedy," "Bad Decisions," and the album's title rails.

The production isn't anything to write dwelling about, either. It's just by and large snoozy, and Grande agrees.

Worst offense: Instead of "Touch It," Grande could've used those iv minutes to include both versions of "Knew Improve" on the "Unsafe Woman" tracklist.

Saving grace: "Remind me why nosotros're taking a break / Information technology's obviously insane / 'Cause we both know what we want / Then why don't we fall in love?"

"Sometimes" is tiresome and unremarkable.

"Sometimes" is the tenth rail on "Dangerous Woman."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

"Sometimes" isn't a bad vocal past any means, but information technology slows the momentum of "Dangerous Woman" and feels out of place on its euphoric, anthemic tracklist.

The album's romantic carol quota was already fulfilled by "Moonlight" and "Thinkin Bout You," and both of those songs have more ability in ane single verse than "Sometimes" has in three minutes and 47 seconds. It'southward even followed by a slower, heartfelt song: the sultry "I Don't Care," which thrives thanks to its jazzy horns and empowered diva message.

Grande doesn't practice much to sell this song, either. She doesn't do annihilation interesting with her vocals; in that location'due south no swelling moment of catharsis or rubberband vocal run to convince me that she's actually feeling it.

Worst law-breaking: The sickly sweet "La, la, la, la, la, la, la" refrain.

Saving grace: The live version on the "Dangerous Woman Tour" was really sweet and intimate.

"Intro" was an unworthy album opener that didn't add together much of annihilation.

"Intro" is the first runway on "My Everything."
Democracy Records

"Intro" is wearisome — obviously and unproblematic. Unless you're listening to "My Everything" on vinyl, I'm willing to bet that you skip it every time and get directly to "Problem."

Perchance this seems like a scrap of a cop-out, but "Intro" is totally fair game. Information technology has original lyrics and vocals, which means it'due south not a non-song, derisive opener (like Billie Eilish's "!!!!!!!"), and Grande has proven that she tin can practise a lotin less than ii minutes. "Pete Davidson" is ane of the nearly intoxicating and compelling moments on "Sweetener," and it's even shorter than "Intro."

Worst law-breaking: Grande actually has another song called "Intro" on her "Christmas & Chill" EP, and it's better! Information technology'southward literally just i minute and fifteen seconds long, and it's a bop.

Saving grace: "I'll requite y'all all I have / And null less, I hope" is a pretty cute way to introduce an album.

Grande has said that "Why Try" is her "nearly boring song."

"Why Endeavor" is the fourth track on "My Everything."
Brill/ullstein bild via Getty Images

"'Why Try' is my nigh boring vocal," Grande said during a "Sweetener" Q&A session with fans. "This song puts me to slumber."

Despite screams of protest from the oversupply, I must say: Same. The song's structure is anticipated, the lyrics are repetitive, there'due south nothing specially intriguing about its product — and "I'm in love with the hurting" is merely a horrifyingly toxic sentiment to write an entire song almost.

Worst crime: Coming directly after the emotional experience of "1 Last Time," "Why Attempt" is even more of a let-down.

Saving grace: Of class, Grande'south vox sounds phenomenal, especially in the last chorus.

"Hands on Me," featuring A$AP Ferg, is literally unlistenable.

"Hands on Me" is the 11th track on "My Everything." A$AP Ferg, pictured in 2014, is a featured artist.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

I literally can't heed to three seconds of "Hands on Me." As soon every bit it comes on — and you'll know when information technology comes on, because information technology assaults your eardrums correct out of the gate — I cringe. I press skip and so fast that it'south like my reflexes are being tested.

Worst crime: "You just keep your eyes on my 'yous know what.'" Are nosotros 12 years one-time?

Saving grace: I like the idea that Grande is casually friends with A$AP Ferg and hangs out with A$AP Mob (even though Ferg'due south contributions do admittedly nothing to save this vocal).

"Better Left Unsaid" is all over the identify.

"Better Left Unsaid" is the 12th and final rails on "Yours Truly."
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

The outset of "Improve Left Unsaid" almost sounds like a "Daydreamin'" reprise, until Grande switches gears and leans into some deeply misguided EDM-inspired production. The song is totally inconsistent; every piece of it feels haphazardly and carelessly mashed together.

Worst offense: The man yelling, "If you wanna party, put your easily up" sounds similar a DJ spinning the vocal at a bar mitzvah.

Saving grace: The EDM influences in "Better Left Unsaid" sort of make it sound like a precursor to "Break Complimentary," so if we have this vocal to thank for Grande's gay anthem, I appreciate that.

"Piano" sounds like something True cat Valentine would sing at a Hollywood Arts talent show.

"Piano" is the sixth track on "Yours Truly."
Republic Records

Evidently, Grande'due south goal with this vocal is to "make yous wanna dance," but she doesn't succeed. At most, I would tap my foot.

"Pianoforte" is so cutesy that information technology sounds kittenish and insincere, like information technology was written to fit nicely into an episode of kids' Television. No boldness to "Victorious," of course — "Have a Hint" really slaps — but those songs don't belong on an Ariana Grande album.

Worst criminal offense: Grande says literally 23 times that it'due south "not difficult" to write a vocal with her new piano, and yet!

Saving grace: The song resulted in this amazing tweet.

"Well-nigh Is Never Enough," featuring Nathan Sykes, is boring and overly cheesy.

"Virtually Is Never Plenty" is the 10th track on "Yours Truly."
David Steele/Disney-Walt Disney Television set via Getty Images

Nosotros know that Grande likes to write and record duets with her musician boyfriends, only that addiction usually yields great songs ("Best Mistake," "My Favorite Part").

"Near Is Never Enough," on the other manus, never needed to exist. It's far likewise cloying to exist enjoyable, and it's below Grande to release something so gravely bereft of intrigue or edge.

Worst offense: Nathan Sykes is hardly Big Sean or Mac Miller. Did he deserve such a prominent, permanent identify in Grande'due south lore? Probably non.

Saving grace: Reviews of the vocal plain fabricated Grande happy at one point.

This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author(southward).

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