Positions
by Ariana Grande
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2020
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5940 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,157 out of 5940
  2. Mixed: 417 out of 5940
  3. Negative: 1,366 out of 5940
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  1. bhkben
    Nov 27, 2020
    9
    an album that didn't receive the recognition it should have by the critics. Ariana, i'm super proud and i loved this one. although it isn't as cohesive as your last two albums, it has zero skips. loved it.
  2. Apuleyo
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    Creo que es el álbum más maduro que ha hecho Ariana, tiene desde letras explícitas deliciosas y otras que te llegan a tocar el corazón. No esperaba mucho de este álbum, me dió mucho más de lo que pensé.
  3. dylanmaynard13
    Nov 5, 2020
    9
    I love love love Positions! It’s an amazing record, reminds me of sweetener (another amazing record). The only problem I have with it is that there are some skips. “shut up” and “six thirty” are very forgettable. OTHER THAN THAT, I love it!
  4. Juliaxvir
    Nov 2, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O álbum em si é um sweetener 2.0 por isso ele é bom (kkkk) e minha track favorita é just like magic e obvious, não gostei muito do feat com o the weekend o primeiro continua melhor.… Expand
  5. Imanebenda
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    The vocals are the best . There’s a magical mix between thank you next and sweetener vibes in terms of production .
  6. WhatsYourMotive
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    Not her usually pop! It’s a new era for her and many weren’t ready. There were very little mediocre songs but there was a few. Overall an amazing album
  7. nauja_18
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This sounds so fresh for her. She is able to combine classical instruments with modern production. This such a beautiful body of work, for me there's no skips. The best songs in the album are: Pov, My hair, Love language and Safety net… Expand
  8. TRAVISCOTT
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    I enjoyed the intimate, sensual theme running through all the tracks and I think Ariana did a great job thematically linking everything. Features were largely unmemorable, Doja Cat's in particular was disappointing because Motive had a lot of potential for a stand-out guest verse. Ari has definitely progressed, lyrically, judging from tracks like pov. The R&B elements were great on loveI enjoyed the intimate, sensual theme running through all the tracks and I think Ariana did a great job thematically linking everything. Features were largely unmemorable, Doja Cat's in particular was disappointing because Motive had a lot of potential for a stand-out guest verse. Ari has definitely progressed, lyrically, judging from tracks like pov. The R&B elements were great on love language and west side. I don’t see much Billboard Hot 100 potential yet but I guess that’ll change. The lead single/title track grows on you a lot, it’s very catchy. Overall, it felt like a very complete, coherent project.… Expand
  9. RedTulip
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    The album seems to be experimental, like Ariana's entry into the R&B music genre, but still the album is fine, the tracks are good. However, I would have liked more rhythmic songs, similar to those of the Thank u, next era or the Dangerous woman era. I wish the album had been worked on a bit more, because I think it is somewhat lazy in some respects, the rhythms can sometimes be not veryThe album seems to be experimental, like Ariana's entry into the R&B music genre, but still the album is fine, the tracks are good. However, I would have liked more rhythmic songs, similar to those of the Thank u, next era or the Dangerous woman era. I wish the album had been worked on a bit more, because I think it is somewhat lazy in some respects, the rhythms can sometimes be not very enjoyable. However, I repeat again, the album itself is very good and I loved it.… Expand
  10. moonmaker
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    good album, i think to this day one of her best album for me personally. :)
  11. Nelsonchristian
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    10 out of ten, personally i'm a big fan of rnb and jazzy music. And this album radiates the perfect vibes. The lyrics also more maturw than previous project, production especially vocal layerring pop off
  12. Avraly98
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    There is the important thing, it is not how long you have been in the fandom, if not knowing that his greatest inspiration was Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin, one of his favorite genres is R&B and with this album he wanted to do things well, that's why it's a mix from the minimal r & b and pop of those golden ages.
  13. PhilipOliver
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    This album is great it is very cohesive, I don't particularly like the HUGE number of composers in the songs, however it is very well produced Ariana's vocals are great and the lyrics are very mature (better than thank u, next), best song is my hair (it reminded me a lot of Mariah Carey in the 2000s) and the worst is love language is not a memorable track.
  14. grandee
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    This album is unlike any music Ariana has produced and released before. Her vocals throughout the album do not disappoint and her lyrics contain so much emotion and experience. For some, if may be repetitive and it may need to grow on some, but its not like her general pop records and it introduces lots of R&B elements. This album is impeccable. A cultural reset.
  15. elizabethxburke
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    this album is exquisite. i really don’t understand why it isn’t receiving better reviews. i feel like people either haven’t given it a chance or that that they prefer a more pop sound. i had a feeling i was going to like this one, especially when i had heard it was going to be a lot more R&B. in my opinion it’s a step up from tu,n and is very much ariana, it’s fun, mature and upbeat. i’vethis album is exquisite. i really don’t understand why it isn’t receiving better reviews. i feel like people either haven’t given it a chance or that that they prefer a more pop sound. i had a feeling i was going to like this one, especially when i had heard it was going to be a lot more R&B. in my opinion it’s a step up from tu,n and is very much ariana, it’s fun, mature and upbeat. i’ve noticed too that the more i listen to it the better it gets. i’m really excited for this era tbh and can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us. i’m overall so proud and happy to see her healing, her confidence growing and she just seems a lot happier than before. my girl is back… Expand
  16. sevendeadlyyy
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. ojalá y bastaran las palabras para describir lo que el álbum que por muchos fue tan simple, logra provocar, solo hace falta que sepas apreciar el R&B para que te des cuenta que este álbum abraza el género y juega con él de una forma muy buena.… Expand
  17. kofibean
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    I personally think it is a solid album. I don't understand the amount of hate this album gets. It may not be her traditional sound but I love it. Coming from someone who isn't an Ariana fan.
  18. johnathan_heath
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    Ariana showed growth during the past three eras. I am very proud of her growth lyrically and mentally. She uses heavy R&B sounds throughout the album and also hints of Pop and Trap. "34+35" and "off the table" are great examples of R&B influenced Pop songs. This album really reminds of Dangerous Woman and Sweetener. People don't like this album because Ariana is making herself "overAriana showed growth during the past three eras. I am very proud of her growth lyrically and mentally. She uses heavy R&B sounds throughout the album and also hints of Pop and Trap. "34+35" and "off the table" are great examples of R&B influenced Pop songs. This album really reminds of Dangerous Woman and Sweetener. People don't like this album because Ariana is making herself "over sexual," but I don't believe she is. She is a woman after all and she is her own artist. Therefore, she can do whatever she wants with her lyrics. Overall, this is a great album and I'm surprised people don't like it.… Expand
  19. colenn
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    I love this album, one of the best of 2020, the diversity, everything. This album is what i really wanted from Ariana, my favorites are west side, 34+35, motive, my hair.
  20. isaiahtoerellj
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this album is a true masterpiece. it’s everything you could want. the vocals are so unique and different, she sounds super mature and her voice is fuller and just sounds like clouds omg. i love the R&B, old school feel of the songs. (especially on my hair and off the table). the songs are really catchy and the vocal production is A1… Expand
  21. AlejandroCaRi
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    Es un álbum muy bueno, explora más el género R&B, se despega levemente del pop. De repente podría parecer plano, pero realmente entre más lo escuchas, lo terminas amando. Le doy 9 ya que hay una canción que aún no termino de entender.
  22. worldprincss
    Nov 27, 2020
    9
    her mind... UGH it amazes me sometimes. the lyrical content, the harmonies, definitetly her most mature album to date.
  23. marsvicc
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    We can see how much she’s matured in all the senses. The vocals are amazing as always and the lyrics are incredible
  24. Jhaymesantosss
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    Amazing job!!!!!! Grande is an incredible songwriter and singer, congratulations for her.
  25. eucaionevs
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Não é o seu melhor álbum, mas é o mais diferente e com coesão, é leve, você ouve o álbum e nem sente o tempo passar, tem coesão e é bem sensual. Pra mim esse é o álbum da Ari mais a cara dela, eu sinto que ela achou o que ela gosta de fazer.… Expand
  26. Bae_allison
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    This album is a big change of big Ariana, although it is not the genre that many believed, the songs have good melodies, could mix in a certain way every melody without losing the rhythm, it is a great album
  27. jairobyl
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    obrigado obrigado obrigado obrigado obrigado ariana por ter tentado fazer um album
  28. myhair
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly I love this album, it is well produced vocally and in instrumentals, she served vocals and tried to differentiate it from other albums, but it still hasn't left her comfort zone, as it sinned in tracks that deserved much more as a "safety net", "west side" and "love language". Anyway, we cannot deny that she served VOCALS, taking as examples of this the various powerful whistles that she managed to execute in tracks like "my hair", "positions", "nasty" and even "safety net". even though it was pleasant for me, unfortunately the album has very few tracks that please EVERYONE at the beginning, for example I didn’t sympathize with several tracks, and today I really like them, I think it must be a matter of listening multiple times. Anyway, with that I finish my honest review of the album (I am 100% aware that my opinion is very different from the opinion of other people because I am a fan of Ariana.)… Expand
  29. WesMariandes
    Nov 1, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ariana didn't want to leave her comfort zone, but she still brought something "new" and mature, not caring about hits or charts, just doing something for her fans, it's a really nice album to hear and vibe.… Expand
  30. Calebbrwwn7
    Nov 1, 2020
    9
    I can confidently say that listening to this album, was a positively rousing experience. The masterful use of violins managing to string together a cacophony of varying sounds. Let's just say it was beautiful. From the cheeky intro 'shut up' to the powerful ballad of pov, ending it off. This album was beautiful.

    Lyrically, the album is extremely clever, with the double enteandres managing    I can confidently say that listening to this album, was a positively rousing experience. The masterful use of violins managing to string together a cacophony of varying sounds. Let's just say it was beautiful. From the cheeky intro 'shut up' to the powerful ballad of pov, ending it off. This album was beautiful.

    Lyrically, the album is extremely clever, with the double enteandres managing to uplift both the more risqué songs along with the deeper tracks as well. The honesty and vulnerability displayed in this album does a great job of generating relatibility. From the endearing lyrics of pov,, to the brutally hones ones of 'shut up', you can't help but love the honesty of it all.

    Musically, Ariana and her producers managed to do something absolutely masterful. The ever present violins grounding each sing and string together the variety of sounds used. The actual songs themselves are nothing to scoff at either. From the scintillating sound of 'just like magic' to the hauntingly beautiful sounds of "safety net": everything is great. Speaking of......

    The features on this album did a phenomenal job. Doja's verse on 'motive' added new flavour to the song. Ty Dolla seemed to perfectly read exactly what 'safety net' needed, and managed to compliment Ariana's voice almost as well as the Weeknd. Which brings me to the final feature track. "Off the table is what many a musician would consider a masterpiece. The simple arrangement only aids this song, where the vocals are the driving factor. The lyrical back and forth created is both genius and melancholic in meaning. The lyrics are then amplified by a awe inspiring vocal showcase from Ari. The Weeknd tone manages to create a beautiful chemistry and harmony with Ariana (as well as making it seem he didn't get out sung, which he kinda did    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Paste Magazine
    Dec 2, 2020
    72
    Grande is making no effort to be discreet, instead explicitly owning her sexuality—the album is called Positions, after all. The juxtaposition of beautiful violin sounds and risqué lyrics has become one of Grande’s signature sounds, and it suits her well.
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 9, 2020
    80
    Grande laid bare may well be seen as a stopgap in her canon, using taboo to checkmate her past trauma, but it does pull off the rare feat of at least sounding effortless.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Nov 5, 2020
    80
    With little conflict and few psychological insights, Positions zeroes in on the enviable confidence that only pop stars on top of the world and with nothing to lose can afford. It's easy to write it off as empty calories, but pop has always been described in such terms: cake, candy, chocolate, confection. Positions isn't a "sweetener" but pure sugar.
    Read full review
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