Albums to watch

Sweetener

Ariana Grande

Sweetener

Fourth album from the American pop star featuring guest appearances from Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott

ADM rating[?]

7.5

Label
Island
UK Release date
17/08/2018
US Release date
17/08/2018
  1. 10.0 |   The Irish Times

    This is potentially Grande’s defining album as an artist and primarily dealing in self-care, she proves that to be best that you can be, all you have to be is okay
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  2. 8.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Fifteen tracks that put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye
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  3. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    Though it takes a listen or ten to appreciate, Sweetner lodges itself to your psyche immediately, allowing songs to simmer in your brain until you realize Grande quietly triumphed by taking using a subtler delivery to convey more personal feelings
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  4. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    Confident and empowered, Sweetener illustrates once again that Grande is an unparalleled pop chameleon
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  5. 8.1 |   Pitchfork

    After years of searching, Ariana Grande has found her true voice. Sweetener is an exemplary pop album, radiating with low-key joy and newfound love
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  6. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    The best album of her career
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  7. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Moving onwards and upwards with a remarkable lightness to her step
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  8. 8.0 |   NME

    The superstar returns with a confident, accomplished, sometimes left-field collection of pop bangers, proving that she's not shy of experimentation
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  9. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Luscious and renewed
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  10. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Where others have washed-out tropical house beats and winsome mitherings, Grande brings together all her influences into a crisp, subtle funk
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  11. 8.0 |   Spectrum Culture

    The strongest album by an A-list American pop artist since Lemonade
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  12. 7.6 |   Gig Soup

    Despite the pain that surrounds it, ‘Sweetener’ is, more than anything, a reflection of Grande’s personal healing process. It’s dedicated to spreading a message of positivity, which is probably what popular music is all about, after all
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  13. 7.1 |   Earbuddy

    Some will say this album is a sweet record about a young woman finding love, but there's comedic gold here too
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  14. 7.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Both consistent and refined, a reflection of Grande's growing awareness of herself as an artist and her place in the world
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  15. 6.7 |   Consequence Of Sound

    An album that delights one moment and sinks into mediocrity the next
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  16. 6.0 |   Exclaim

    No matter how current her themes, musically, Sweetener may be Ariana Grande's nostalgia album. An obvious throwback, it refers back to the pop of the early aughts by divas — and obvious inspirations — like Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears
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  17. 6.0 |   The Independent

    Often unexpected, sometimes in a good way, but representing an artist trying to move forward while reluctant to relinquish old ideas
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  18. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Her collaborations with Pharrell really push the boundaries. But they make the rest of this album seem formulaic
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  19. 6.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Hopefully this works as a transitional release and the glimpses of brilliance here will be more fully realised next time
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