Rating: 8.5/10
Sweetener is without a doubt Ariana Grande’s most and least popular album. At the time that it came out reception was very mixed, with some people claiming it was a fresh, emotional piece of work and some claiming it was a disjointed, weird project. Nowadays, I think people are starting to appreciate this album for what it is, which makes me happy because I personally love Sweetener. It’s either my favorite or second favorite of her albums. I love it’s emotional vulnerability (which was lacking on her previous albums) and unique vocal/production style, Plus, the album’s message (which we’ll get into later) is one that really resonates with me.
Now, with that introduction being over with, let’s get into the ranking of all the songs on Ariana Grande’s fourth studio album, Sweetener!
15. The Light is Coming (Track 3)
A lot of songs on this album get flack, and I think it’s undeserving because there really isn’t a truly bad song on the album. Except for this one. I will allow ‘The Light is Coming’ to be hated on as much as people wish to hate on it, because it’s bad. Nicki Minaj’s verse doesn’t add anything to the song, and the production is so weird and empty that it’s just unpleasant. Plus, the weird spoken sample that loops throughout the song (the one with the man speaking? If you’ve heard the song you know exactly what I’m talking about) is obnoxious and ruins an already mediocre/bad song. Ariana has some nice flow at certain points, but not enough to save the track. Regardless, there are luckily no other songs on the album that sound like this one, so the album doesn’t really suffer for it.
14. Goodnight N Go (Track 13)
This is one of the most beloved songs on the album (among Ariana’s fans) and it makes me sad that I just can’t get into it the way that everyone else seems to. Ariana’s vocals are lovely here and the concept of the song is very sweet and heartwarming, but the melody and production just don’t mesh well for me, and I wish they had gone for a more ‘R.E.M.’-style production for this track. I will say, the ending harmonies on the word “go” are heavenly and end the track on a majestic note.
13. Everytime (Track 8)
Again, this is one of the more popular songs on the album, and it’s just doesn’t hit for me the way it does for everyone else. The lyrics are very personal and it’s nice to hear that kind of openness from her, so I can appreciate this song for that. However, it’s just not really my type of song, and it just feels a little generic production/melody-wise. Ariana has an amazing high note at the end of the song though, so I’ll give it points for that.
12. Raindrops (An Angel Cried) (Track 1)
This acapella track sets the album up beautifully and introduces the main themes and emotional concepts that are to be explored in the proceeding songs. It’s such a short intro (37 seconds I believe) but I just love listening to it. Ariana’s vocals really get to shine, and it just gets me in the mood for the album so I love it.
11. Borderline (Track 11)
This song is so underrated! I always see it at the bottom of people’s rankings and it makes me sad because it’s such a cute and fun song. I mean, sure, it’s not amazing or anything and it doesn’t make much of a statement, but it’s just a fun, laid-back jam.
10. Blazed (Track 2)
Again, this song is so underrated! I’m sick of seeing people slander this song and call it bad because IT’S NOT A BAD SONG. I will admit that it doesn’t really go anywhere and the melody/lyrics aren’t particularly enchanting or anything, but something about this song just goes. Maybe it’s the production which has a nice tropical-esue feel to it, or Ariana’s harmonies in the “once I have you” part, which are very smooth and pleasing to the ear. It’s not a standout on the tracklist or anything, but it’s an enjoyable listen and people hate on it too much.
9. Breathin (Track 9)
I’d say this is the most radio-pop based song on the album, which is interesting because it’s also one of the best on the album in a lyrical sense. It’s a banger, but an emotionally expressive banger, you know? In this song Ariana is talking about her anxiety and how she copes with it, so it’s a pretty serious topic, but I’m sure it means a lot to her fans who struggle with the same thing. The production here is really nice (nothing groundbreaking, but just some nice, impressive pop-production) and Ariana’s vocals really get showcased in the chorus. Also, the part where the production stops for a little bit leaving just Ariana’s raw vocals, then comes slamming back in for the second half of the chorus gives me chills.
8. Sweetener (Track 6)
“When life deals us cards, make everything taste like it is salt. Then you come through like the sweetener you are to bring the bitter taste to a halt.” First I’ll talk about how I like this song on a musical level. It’s a weird song because it has two moods that it shifts between; the pre-chorus is a beautifully sung, ballad-esque romantic declaration, while the verses and chorus are super jaunty and playful. Personally, I don’t really enjoy the chorus of the song that much, but it’s not awful, and the beauty of the pre-chorus and bridge makes up for it. Now we’ll get into the lyrical and thematic significance of this track. Like I said in the beginning of this post, this album’s overarching message is one that I really connect with, and seeing as this is the titular track, it serves as the best representation of that message. Basically, this song (and the album as a whole) is about having someone come into your life at the perfect time and then they just make all your worry and trouble fade and bring joy back into your life (serving as the ‘sweetener’ of your life essentially). I think it’s a touching sentiment, and given everything that Ariana had gone through prior to this album’s release, and it just makes this album as a whole feel so special and uplifting. “Said I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life, it’d be so sour. I’m hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours.”
7. Pete Davidson (Track 14)
“I thought you into my life, woah, look at my mind. No better place or a time, look how they align. Universe must have my back, fell from the sky into my lap. And I know you know that you’re my soulmate and all that. I’m like ooh, my whole life got me ready for you.” Look, we all know this song didn’t age well (it’s always a risk to name a song after your significant other), but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a wonderful song. The lyrics are so adorable and heartwarming, and Ariana sings them so sweetly and you can feel how content and full of joy she was when she wrote this. I mean, this whole song is about discovering happiness that you never used to think was possible with a partner, so it’s hard not to smile when you listen to it. I wish it was longer (it’s just over a minute long, so it’s really more of an interlude than a song) but it’s so lovely and such a breath of fresh air in the tracklist that I don’t even care. Also, seeing as this and ‘Raindrops’ are the two shortest tracks on the album, it’s really cool to listen to that and then listen to this and feel the increase in her happiness between those two songs.
6. God is a Woman (Track 5)
Controversial religious metaphor aside, this song hits. The trap-beat in the verses goes surprisingly well with Ariana’s voice, and Ariana also has surprisingly nice flow. The chorus has a really nice rhythm to it and it makes you just wanna sway around. Also, the part where the choir (that is made up of solely Ariana’s voice, may I add) comes in is stunning, and Ariana’s high notes are incredible and almost always give me chills.
5. Better Off (Track 12)
This is the only song on the album that truly feels sad. There are plenty of other songs in the tracklist that deal with heavy topics, but this is the only one that really captures that feeling in a musical sense. Ariana said that this is the only true ballad on the album and I’d have to agree. And it’s beautiful. From the eerie, simplistic production to Ariana’s gentle vocal delivery, this song kind of puts you in a trance when you listen to it and it makes you really focus on what she’s saying. In this song she talks about all the reasons that she feels her relationship isn’t working and is trying to tell herself that she’s “better off” without it. She paints a vivid picture of the relationship’s passion as well as it’s problems, and I just adore how thoughtful and honest she is here. I also love the strings at the end, they really wrap the song up in a stunning way. This song is beautiful and makes for a much-needed reflective and introspective moment on the album. “Steering clear of any headaches to start. And if we’re being honest, I’d rather your body than half of your heart, or jealous-ridden comments that come when you let in them feelings that I don’t want. I never let ’em know too much, hate getting too emotional.”
4. Successful (Track 6)
I really don’t know what it is about this song that I like so much, but I really have a great time every time I listen to it. Maybe it’s because it was one of the first songs I heard on the album so I was just inclined to like it, but it’s just so fun and flirty. The production is a little wacky but in the best way possible, and Ariana sells the song so well. Sure, she’s basically just flexing how rich and successful she is, but you know what? Let her. She’s right. I feel like a boss every time I listen to this song and I love it, so leave me alone for putting it in the top 4 okay? (And we’re not gonna talk about the weird breathing at the end of the song.)
3. Get Well Soon (Track 15)
This was a song that took awhile to grow on me, but I love it so much now. It’s such a great closer and ends the album on an uplifting and reassuring note. Also, musically, it’s fantastic. I love the simple combination of piano and finger snaps for the verses, and then the second half of the song (where she just harmonizes with herself like nobody’s business) is jaw-dropping and gorgeous. The message of the song is also wonderful, and it’s basically Ariana giving you a hug in song-form and telling you to keep your head up and persevere through any mental health struggles you may experience. This song means a lot to me, and she did a truly amazing job with it. It’s honestly a perfect way to end the album.
2. No Tears Left to Cry (Track 10)
‘No Tears Left to Cry’ was the lead single for Sweetener, and boy is it a good one. From the ethereal way in which Ariana opens up the track to the bubbly and funky nature of the verses, it’s so dynamic and leaves you feeling so satisfied after listening to it. The chorus is impeccable and practically impossible to not sing along with, and the lyrical content is great as well. This song is about finally picking yourself up and moving forward after dealing with pain for awhile. The only complaint I have about ‘No Tears Left to Cry’ is that it should’ve began with the vocals that are included in the beginning of the music video. And speaking of the music video, it’s amazing and probably my favorite out of all of Ariana’s music videos. Basically, this song is an iconic anthem, and I love it so much.
1. R.E.M. (Track 4)
Back when I listened to Sweetener in full for the first time, this was the first song that I found myself really loving and being super impressed with, and since then I’ve only fallen more and more in love with it. It’s just amazing. The production is so dreamy and it makes you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud whenever you listen to the song. Ariana has great flow in the verses and delivers the fast-paced lyrics with ease. Not to mention, the lyrics are so cute, as they talk about heavy infatuation with someone who you just met, and feeling like you’re dreaming whenever you think about them. The best part of the song is undoubtedly the “bum-bum-bum-bum” part (you know what I’m talking about if you’ve heard the song) which reminds me of ‘Mr. Sandman’ and Christmas at the same time and fills me with joy every time I hear it. It’s such a nice touch to the track and just makes the song even more beautiful and dreamy than it already was. I could listen to this song forever and not get sick of it, I’m so in love with it.
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