Written by: Allysa Gordon
Ariana Grande is back from her short hiatus with her sixth studio album Positions. The album features a more mature side of Ariana as the album frequently discusses themes of sex and romantic relationships. Positions’ production continues in the vein of her past two albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next with trap R&B tinged pop.
Ariana opens up the album with a snarky message to the haters in “shut up” with orchestral sounding strings backing her up. The album titled lead single advertises Ariana’s duality in a relationship with her ability to “cook in the kitchen…and in the bedroom”. The second single “34+35” is a risqué R&B track with fun and thinly veiled sexual innuendos. Murda Beatz produced “motive” displays an upbeat house-like sound while tracks like “my hair” and “love language” feature a funky neo-soul and disco flavor.
With the last three albums she released, it’s clear that Ariana has found her sound in the pop/R&B lane. The one downside is that this album doesn’t do anything to expand on Grande’s sound like her last two albums did. Positions’ listening experience can be likened to driving in a brand-new Mercedes down a freshly paved road: smooth. The slick R&B production is a perfect backdrop to Grande’s sparkly vocals and beautifully layered harmonies. While I don’t think the album is as strong as it’s big sisters Sweetener or Thank U, Next, it is a wonderfully produced, solid album and I look forward to what Ariana has to offer in the coming years.
