Ariana Grande is Taking the #1 Position on the Pop Charts with New Album Positions
- Fabiana Beuses
- Nov 13, 2020
- 4 min read
Fab or drab? Fab-ish
Rating: 6.5/10
Ariana Grande is here to save 2020 with her sixth studio album Positions. One week after tweeting "i can't wait to give u my album this month", Grande released the album's lead single "Positions" along with a White House-themed music video. Positions dropped the following week on October 30 at midnight. With barely any promotion, both the single and the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's safe to say that Miss Grande has found herself in an excellent position.
I know Ariana's discography like the back of my hand and have had the privilege of seeing her perform live twice. Boy, that girl can sing. This album definitely shows her vocal range. Just listen to the final chorus of "my hair" and I swear you'll hear notes that have never been played on a piano before. The album leans heavily into Grande's tried-and-true bubbly pop and R&B genres. I also love how it incorporates Yours Truly-like 1960s vibes in songs like "love language" and "my hair." Because this album incorporates all of Grande's best experiments with different musical styles, I think that it is her best album on a sonic level.
Although I really liked its melodies and production, I was incredibly disappointed with the album's lyrics. Grande is better known for her vocal abilities than her songwriting skills, and for good reason. The bland, repetitive lyrics on "positions" are not successfully disguised by the song's fun guitar plucking. Some lines are really well thought out, but most of the lyrics on the album sound like a lazy middle schooler's overdue poetry contest submission (example: "Looking at my phone, but I'm tryna disconnect it. Read a fucking book, I be tryna stay connected" from "just like magic." I... girl what?). Grande is frequently criticized for her lack of enunciating while singing. This album reaaaally suffers from that issue. I was finally able to make out all the words on my third listen. Unfortunately, the fantastic production does not outweigh the obvious songwriting. The album is good, but not life-changing.
After listening exclusively to Positions for the past two weeks, here are my thoughts on each song in the order they appear on the album:
shut up: The sad-sounding orchestra at the beginning reminded me so much of "I Don't Care" from Dangerous Woman. I really like this song! Solid lyrics and sweeping instrumentals make this a great opening track. The riff on the words "shut up" in the chorus is beautiful.
34+35: Oh WOW. This is what I was expecting the whole album to sound like. Various sources alleged that Positions would be Ariana's most sexed-up album to date. I guess it is, but the sex appeal is much more subtle than I had anticipated. Except for this song. OMG. This is honestly one of the best songs on the album. I can see this being a fun song to dance along to at a sleepover.
motive (with Doja Cat): I expected a lot more from this collab. Doja sounds like she's wheezing mid-verse. I already know retail stores will bump this every day for the next three months.
just like magic: The lyrics describe every Cali girl ever. If you're into the Law of Attraction and other manifestation techniques, you'll resonate with "just like magic." This song makes me think of crystals and tarot cards. The lyrics are really basic (except for the prechorus! "Take my pen and write some love letters to heaven" is my favorite line on the album), but the snap in the chorus is addictive.
off the table (with The Weeknd): Skip. I couldn't wait for it to end the first time I listened to the album. It is way too long and way too boring. It's in my bottom three for sure.
six thirty: The video game sound effects at the beginning remind me of Bad Bunny's song "Si Veo a Tu Mama." Also, this song contains a direct reference to video games in its bridge. I see what you did there, Ari! This song is cute and easy to listen to.
safety net (feat. Ty Dolla $ign): Yay, my favorite song on the album! I love the R&B sound. This song is almost as vulnerable as "off the table", but it's much better.
my hair: This one took me by surprise. After the kind of depressing mood set by "off the table" and "safety net", "my hair" picks the album back up again with a fresh, 1960s sound. The whistle notes in the end are INSANE.
nasty: This one is second up only to "34+35" in raunchiness, but it's delivered through soft, cloudy vocals. The whistle notes and overall vibe makes this sound exactly like a 1990s R&B song. R&Biana really jumped out!
west side: Another one of my favorites. I don't know why it's so underrated among fans. It is one of the slowest songs on the album, but I never felt bored listening to it, unlike with some of the other songs (I'm looking at you, "off the table").
love language: Ew. What a waste of a song title. This song is a skip as well. This is the "blazed" of Positions.
positions: The production on this song is so cool. The lyrics left something to be desired, though. I loved the music video!
obvious: UNDERRATED AF. This is my second favorite song on the album. I looove how casual the romantic lyrics are and how energetic the beat is. Pop songs can have substance when they're done well! "obvious" is definitely a stand-out on Positions.
pov: Will I ever stop "aww"ing at this song? Probably not. This fan favorite is sooo adorable. This song has the best lyrics on the album, and I'd go as far as to say this is one of Ariana's best songs ever. The lyrics describe growth, happiness, and vulnerability. The "shh" in the background represents how Grande has finally found her calm in the storm. This song gives me allll the feels. Daltiana forever <3
Is Positions Ariana Grande's best album? No. Is it worth listening to? Yes, multiple times. Ariana has said this is her favorite album. It may not be my favorite, but it has certainly found a position in my heart.
Click here to listen to Positions on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3euz4vS7ezKGnNSwgyvKcd
Comments