Sweetener
by Ariana Grande
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Aug 17, 2018
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3093 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,340 out of 3093
  2. Mixed: 204 out of 3093
  3. Negative: 549 out of 3093
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  1. Chlofa
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    Honestly this is just not good. Zero artists growth from Dangerous Woman - if anything its regressed back to Yours Truly. Her work with Pharrell is very hit and miss and most of them are a miss from me. The highlights are Everytime, Breathing and R.E.M. The worst are TLIC, Sweetener, Blazed and Borderline (which is the very definition of a dull, filler track). Pharrell’s adlibsHonestly this is just not good. Zero artists growth from Dangerous Woman - if anything its regressed back to Yours Truly. Her work with Pharrell is very hit and miss and most of them are a miss from me. The highlights are Everytime, Breathing and R.E.M. The worst are TLIC, Sweetener, Blazed and Borderline (which is the very definition of a dull, filler track). Pharrell’s adlibs throughout many of the tracks are unnecessary and ruin many of the songs (such as the sheesh in Sweetener). The lyrics on most tracks are cringy and hyper-sexual and there’s zero variation in topic. You could literally swap the verses of one song to any other song on the album and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I’ve been a fan of Ari for a long time but this album is just so disappointing. By far her worst album to date.… Expand
  2. r_az
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    1- I can't stand Pharrell William's sonority
    2- the songs are bland except for those with a big anthematic pop production
    3- don't confuse experimental with bad
  3. poezwoez
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    Extremely disappointed in Ariana if I'm going to have to be honest. I was expecting a lot as she was talking about it like it was a masterpiece, I genuinely thought that Sweetener might even be able to top Dangerous Woman. But it's her worst album. In all the years that I've followed her, she never was able to disappoint me this much. Vocally, there isn't anything special except for someExtremely disappointed in Ariana if I'm going to have to be honest. I was expecting a lot as she was talking about it like it was a masterpiece, I genuinely thought that Sweetener might even be able to top Dangerous Woman. But it's her worst album. In all the years that I've followed her, she never was able to disappoint me this much. Vocally, there isn't anything special except for some ad libs. The songs lack powerful and/or catchy choruses, and when they're catchy ("The Light Is Coming"), they're just annoying and extremely repetitive. The album has a way too similar production towards each other. Pharrell is now known to me as the worst pop producer out there. Yes, it might not be basic generic pop, but the songs are still generic. The production is boring and lacks too much to keep you interested making it sound like a collection of fillers.
    No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman and Breathin are great songs but the others just fail to satisfy or keep me interested.    … Expand
  4. supremehive
    May 10, 2020
    3
    This album has some pretty awesome some but the experience as a whole is pretty much bad.
  5. usukhu
    Feb 10, 2020
    3
    This is just an okay album. Nothing great. I mean Pharrell just kind of ruined the album with not-Ariana-friendly productions. Singles' choices were good, liked "no tears lef to cry", "the light is coming" and "sweetener".
  6. Khalid43
    Aug 20, 2022
    3
    Breathin, Sweetener and no tears left to cry are good singles material, but that is not enough to justify an un cohesive body of work
  7. Dono_AGB
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    Her biggest mistake was collaborating with Pharell Williams. The first half of the album which is produced by him is so painfully awful. It sounds more like his songs and less of Ariana's. I also cannot for the life of me find any single-worthy songs. The era should just be over, maybe release Breathin first which will flop and then move on.
  8. Jacqueamista
    Dec 23, 2018
    3
    Biggest let down of 2018. Cringeworthy lyrics and bad production. Pure noise. Really tried to like it but it didn't work. Giving a few points for breathin, giaw and successful.
  9. musicremarks
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    While Breathin and Everytime remain the standout tracks from the record. There is no other song which is single worthy. No Tears and God is a Woman were chosen well to serve as singles. Max Martin should have been more involved on the album compared to Pharrell whose production practically ruined the album. The album was rush released with most songs sounding the same and with zero lyricalWhile Breathin and Everytime remain the standout tracks from the record. There is no other song which is single worthy. No Tears and God is a Woman were chosen well to serve as singles. Max Martin should have been more involved on the album compared to Pharrell whose production practically ruined the album. The album was rush released with most songs sounding the same and with zero lyrical content. Her public breakup, toxic relationship and the Manchester bombing should have been addressed directly. There is no theme on the album. VERY Disappointed. Looks like after 3 widely successful albums. Ms Grande finally does/will have a least successful album which seems to be Sweetener in this case.… Expand
  10. JhosepKingsley
    Aug 26, 2018
    3
    After listening to songs like "no tears left to cry" and "God Is A Woman" we had many expectations of what would probably be one of the best albums of the career of Grande and pop history, however Ariana told us that really we would find ourselves with "The Light Is Coming" and we did not realize it. Although the album is quite consistent in terms of sounds presenting a mostly R & B lineAfter listening to songs like "no tears left to cry" and "God Is A Woman" we had many expectations of what would probably be one of the best albums of the career of Grande and pop history, however Ariana told us that really we would find ourselves with "The Light Is Coming" and we did not realize it. Although the album is quite consistent in terms of sounds presenting a mostly R & B line produced by Pharrel Williams that becomes so repetitive that it becomes boring, something that we can not blame Pharrel but the young singer because I get wrapped up quite well in the new genre. Understanding that it is a great change for the dangerous woman and she is still adapting to this new environment, we hope that in future work she will be able to mold herself well. Despite the bad taste of mouth that we take with the excess of filling in "Sweetener" it is necessary to speak of the masterpiece "breathin", one of the most precious jewels of the album in which it is impossible to highlight the majestic composition with the that Ariana transmitted a feeling with which she is easy to connect and the wonderful vocal performance that fits very well with the production (in which, curiously, Pharrel is not involved).… Expand
  11. dropdabenzoff
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    'Sweetener' is an album that you'd listen once just to see it it's worth your time...and when you're finished, you'll realise it's not. None of the songs (except the singles) are memorable, nothing stands out, the lyrics are often repetitive or poorly written. The production on almost every song is the same and at one point you get bored, hoping the next song is better...but it's not. The'Sweetener' is an album that you'd listen once just to see it it's worth your time...and when you're finished, you'll realise it's not. None of the songs (except the singles) are memorable, nothing stands out, the lyrics are often repetitive or poorly written. The production on almost every song is the same and at one point you get bored, hoping the next song is better...but it's not. The collabs on the album were unnecessary and pointless but the album would've been just as bad without them. I don't know what Ariana was thinking while working on this album (or if she was even thinking) but...this is NOT it!

    Best songs: God is a woman, no tears left to cry, breathin'    … Expand
  12. Idrees
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    Ariana's most anticipated album is out now- and it came to disappoint with bland sounds and generic undeveloped beats. The low-energy effort Ariana put into the songs didn't make the album sound dreamy or laid-back yet very lazy boring the listeners mid-way the track. Few tracks off the album are listenable such as, "Breathin'" where Ariana vocally creates a bold song which however doesAriana's most anticipated album is out now- and it came to disappoint with bland sounds and generic undeveloped beats. The low-energy effort Ariana put into the songs didn't make the album sound dreamy or laid-back yet very lazy boring the listeners mid-way the track. Few tracks off the album are listenable such as, "Breathin'" where Ariana vocally creates a bold song which however does include certain parts where her attempt to experimentally sound dreamy causes a drawback to the song. Most tracks sound very less produced and monotonous boring the listeners quickly ascertaining a skip. Some tracks had a potential yet however, Ariana failed to explore them properly as she continued to use the generic trap beats and the same monotonous sound listeners heard throughout the album. The album's best tracks are nothing compared to the lows of her previous studio album, Dangerous Woman.… Expand
  13. xadoregomez
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    This album is definitely her worst by far. Pharrell totally ruined this album and there were only 3 to 4 good songs on this entire album. Also the song "Sweetener" was too bad for the album to be named after it. I feel like Ariana hyped it up too much because it didn't even deserve it. Also we were told that this album was supposed to be meaningful, but it wasn't. My everythingThis album is definitely her worst by far. Pharrell totally ruined this album and there were only 3 to 4 good songs on this entire album. Also the song "Sweetener" was too bad for the album to be named after it. I feel like Ariana hyped it up too much because it didn't even deserve it. Also we were told that this album was supposed to be meaningful, but it wasn't. My everything remains her best album ever released. I'm just disappointed that after releasing her past 3 albums which were amazing she put out this trash.… Expand
  14. Gullden
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    I'm so dissapointed. For the most part It's just redundant, repetitive, lethargic music. I only like Breathin and Everytime from the new songs. I thought this would be her best album. So many months of hype for this. Ari honey, next time just drop the album with no promo and call it a day.
  15. may11
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    I'm not an Ariana fan to begin with, but I was low key looking forward to this album because of how much she promoted it saying how great it is. Plus, I really liked 'no tears left to cry' so I had some hope. but.........

    this album is a flop... I was not impressed to say the least...

    Better luck next time
  16. Nikita97
    Aug 17, 2018
    3
    Worst ariana grande album ... such a messy album all songs sound the ame ... i only like raindrops giaw ntltc and breathinn all else are trash
  17. Dsros96
    Oct 29, 2018
    3
    Honestly a let down. After her masterpiece Dangerous Woman this is a step back. Almost every song is uninteresting. The singles are the best songs: No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman and Breathin.
  18. mirzamohamad
    Aug 24, 2019
    3
    only 2 good songs on the album. please do something new. something out from your comfort zone.
  19. nokyam1
    Aug 17, 2018
    2
    Definitivamente esse é o pior trabalho da Ariana, músicas completamente esquecíveis e mal produzidas, Bordeline é uma bomba sonora não consigo entender como essa música foi parar no álbum, Breathing, Everytime, No Tears Left to Cry e God is a Woman são as únicas músicas memoráveis e que se destacam na imensa bagunça que é esse álbum. Verdadeira decepção.
  20. SuchiB14
    Oct 4, 2018
    2
    The album is actual crap. That is just a euphemism. The bubble gum beats make me want to puke, her singing is overrated, clearly average and her lyrics are as simple as a baby's vocabulary. However, 'Sweetener' is perfect for 12 yr old girls and the features do raise the album's quality a slight notch. There are one or two average to good songs, but one or two songs do not make an album,The album is actual crap. That is just a euphemism. The bubble gum beats make me want to puke, her singing is overrated, clearly average and her lyrics are as simple as a baby's vocabulary. However, 'Sweetener' is perfect for 12 yr old girls and the features do raise the album's quality a slight notch. There are one or two average to good songs, but one or two songs do not make an album, and the bar for pop artists has clearly dropped off a cliff if critics are going to suck Ariana's dick like displayed by their overly kind reviews. Anyway its a 3 out of 10 from me and a recommendation to all of those who may read this to listen to other more talented artists.… Expand
  21. vocalz
    Aug 17, 2018
    2
    This wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Only 2 sounds besides the singles we’re decent the rest were straight garbage. No artistic growth, it sounds like a kids pop machine . Not what you’d expect from an A vocalist, wtf were the lyrics in this album? If she contributed then she needs to not take on writing anymore sweetie. The production was crap. I wasn’t surprised in any formThis wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Only 2 sounds besides the singles we’re decent the rest were straight garbage. No artistic growth, it sounds like a kids pop machine . Not what you’d expect from an A vocalist, wtf were the lyrics in this album? If she contributed then she needs to not take on writing anymore sweetie. The production was crap. I wasn’t surprised in any form throughout the album, and it hurt to listen and hate it. Fourth album curse, maybe the next one will be better.… Expand
  22. Anxhela
    Aug 17, 2018
    2
    I’m very disappointed by this album , the only good song is raindrop who is a **** opener
  23. TheShadyCritic
    Aug 19, 2018
    2
    Ariana Grande's 4th studio album is the definition of lazy and messy production. Most of the songs on this record were Produced by Pharrell which, unfortunately, lacks quality production. Grande and Pharrell go together like nails on a chalkboard, which 95-98% of each track sounds like they were produced in a blender. God Is A Woman remains the most dominant track on the album but stillAriana Grande's 4th studio album is the definition of lazy and messy production. Most of the songs on this record were Produced by Pharrell which, unfortunately, lacks quality production. Grande and Pharrell go together like nails on a chalkboard, which 95-98% of each track sounds like they were produced in a blender. God Is A Woman remains the most dominant track on the album but still fails to live up to its potential. I love Ariana's previous work, Dangerous Woman, a lot more than this desperate attempt of an R&B/Pop record.… Expand
  24. zinedinrabia
    Sep 5, 2019
    2
    this is such a non cohesive ugly sounding album
    sounds more like a Pharell album (which is not a good sound) than An Ariana Grande Album
    her vocals sounded tired on songs like Blazed, TLIC and borderlin even tho she has one of the strongest voices of this generation songs like Sweetener, Successful, Borderline felt longer than eternity because of the messy production this album tried to do    this is such a non cohesive ugly sounding album
    sounds more like a Pharell album (which is not a good sound) than An Ariana Grande Album
    her vocals sounded tired on songs like Blazed, TLIC and borderlin even tho she has one of the strongest voices of this generation
    songs like Sweetener, Successful, Borderline felt longer than eternity because of the messy production
    this album tried to do something and failed miserably    … Expand
  25. RavenclawHead
    Sep 1, 2019
    2
    This is a huge downgrade from Dangerous Woman. No growth at all. The only good thing she will always have are vocals, but other than that...pretty boring and average for an artist like her,
  26. SnHAIM
    Apr 19, 2020
    2
    This album is messy, awkward, aggressively lazy (lyrically AND sonically), and has almost no sense of direction. The production, for the most part, is awful. I was honestly quite embarrassed for her when I heard the album for the first time. While some songs are definitely better than others, there were moments when I thought to myself, "why does this song even exist?" Not a good album, ifThis album is messy, awkward, aggressively lazy (lyrically AND sonically), and has almost no sense of direction. The production, for the most part, is awful. I was honestly quite embarrassed for her when I heard the album for the first time. While some songs are definitely better than others, there were moments when I thought to myself, "why does this song even exist?" Not a good album, if I haven't already made that clear.… Expand
  27. Jonathan0112
    Oct 27, 2020
    2
    This album can be describe in one word - “Trash” And it’s Grammy winning? Like what is the society going on. This is Ariana’s worst studio effort so far. The singles are probably the best songs from this album, notably Breathin’ which helped me get through some sh*t. Altho I gave it a low mark, actually non pharrell- produced tracks are BOPS. Anyways, DW, TUN deserved the grammar not thisThis album can be describe in one word - “Trash” And it’s Grammy winning? Like what is the society going on. This is Ariana’s worst studio effort so far. The singles are probably the best songs from this album, notably Breathin’ which helped me get through some sh*t. Altho I gave it a low mark, actually non pharrell- produced tracks are BOPS. Anyways, DW, TUN deserved the grammar not this .… Expand
  28. RodriMercado
    Aug 21, 2021
    2
    this album is the most authentic by her, but very boring and generic, the Pharrell production brings something innovative, but doesn't soond good either way, I liked Dangerous Woman, because of its production and Ariana's vocals, this... just isn't up to par. Of course there are some tracks that can be saved like everytime, breathin, no tears left to cry and goodnight n go, after that, itthis album is the most authentic by her, but very boring and generic, the Pharrell production brings something innovative, but doesn't soond good either way, I liked Dangerous Woman, because of its production and Ariana's vocals, this... just isn't up to par. Of course there are some tracks that can be saved like everytime, breathin, no tears left to cry and goodnight n go, after that, it just seems very bland and boring. Don't recommend listening to this album, sorry Ari.… Expand
  29. dislexicpotato
    Nov 2, 2018
    1
    Absolutely horrible album, the one point is for Breathin which is a great song.
  30. Wonderland28
    Aug 17, 2018
    1
    Ariana Grande's "Sweetener" won't be going into one of my cups of tea anytime soon.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2018
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The Quietus
    Aug 31, 2018
    70
    Grande’s new sound, the Williams-produced Not-Bangers, only make up half of the album. These standout tracks are interspersed between standard pop tracks. ... That’s not to say that the Bangers on Sweetener are bad--it’s more that they belong in previous era of Grande and they spoil the flow between songs. Sweetener may not be the dawning of a new age for Ariana but it could be a step towards somewhere weird and wonderful.
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  2. The New York Times
    Aug 29, 2018
    90
    Ms. Grande backs up her statements with song-and-dance mastery. ... She’s her own choir, support group and posse. While a few guest vocalists (Mr. Williams, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott) provide a little grit for contrast, Ms. Grande sails above any fray, past or present. Her aplomb is her triumph.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Aug 28, 2018
    80
    An album that coheres in a way other Ariana Grande albums don't, which means Sweetener is something of a double triumph: she's come through a tough time stronger and better than before.
    Read full review
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