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Jul 31, 2026More than once did this record make me think about Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department.” .... Complaints about celebrity can be pretty tedious, of course; sometimes it feels as though famous pop singers have forgotten how to write about anything other than life in the social-media fishbowl. Yet “Petal” gets some creative traction from how Grande chooses to use her voice; instead of belting, she rarely rises above a whisper, which gives a spooky, slightly creepy quality to her thoughts on being endlessly scrutinized.
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Jul 30, 2026On the whole, rather than a dramatic departure, petal feels fairly constrained and, occasionally, like a tame reimagining of her older work. .... The strongest moments come when Grande ventures into less familiar territory.
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Jul 30, 2026Both Eternal Sunshine and the expanded Brighter Days Ahead were ornate and meticulously crafted, but the kick of Petal is that it’s much more loose and spontaneous. She’s shooting from the hip, both musically and emotionally. .... And that attitude brings out Ariana Grande at her best.
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Jul 31, 2026It drops all of the fluff and needless fanfare, instead focusing on crafting something emotionally intelligent, beautifully arranged, and centered around Ariana’s timeless vocals.
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Jul 31, 2026Petal is the kind of album you have to lean into to pick through the subtle sonic details, and unravel the lyrics and emotions, with each play bringing the songs into closer focus. But as ever with Grande, the singing is worth the price of admission alone. I am not sure it is what she intended, but Grande’s tiny temper tantrum is actually kind of lovely.