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. TimW001
    Aug 29, 2018
    6
    Sweet Fluff

    I listened to Sweetener multiple times to ensure I knew how I felt about it. At first I thought it was mostly vapid fluff music with no personality. Others said the album was good so I kept listening and waited to review. On multiple re-listens it only confirmed my original feelings were correct. None of the songs on the album are bad. They're all light and pop fun. But    Sweet Fluff

    I listened to Sweetener multiple times to ensure I knew how I felt about it. At first I thought it was mostly vapid fluff music with no personality. Others said the album was good so I kept listening and waited to review. On multiple re-listens it only confirmed my original feelings were correct.

    None of the songs on the album are bad. They're all light and pop fun. But none of the songs are ground breaking or even interesting. Most songs feel so designed for radio. The pleasant songs that I did like didn't actually have enough staying power for me to add any of them to a regular listening cycle.

    Ultimately a simple light album with nothing amazing on it but is fun.    … Expand
  2. DevilPray
    Dec 2, 2018
    6
    God is a woman, no tears left to cry, the light is coming are the only songs that make the difference for me. The rest is just okay. Nothing wow, nothing awful, just a cute album. Listenable.
  3. jcgmalave
    Sep 7, 2018
    6
    half of this album sounds like madonna's hard candy thanks to pharrel, thats not bueno
  4. MrMrianit500
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    This album is okay, but compared to her other albums, it is really underwhelming. The album has some alright songs like "everytime", "breathin'" and "goodnight ' n' go" and some of the singles are cool too, but otherwise the album is very boring and forgettable.
  5. GFactor
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    It's not her best or cohesive album, cuz we have Yours Truly & Dangerous Woman (her best one), neither her most comercial one, it is My Everthing. It's just an organic/pharrell's project (I hate him for it). She better make Breathin a single!!!

    1. raindrops - 9,0 2. blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams) - 5,0 3; the light is coming (feat. Nicki Minaj) - 7,0 4. R.E.M. - 6,5 5. God is a    It's not her best or cohesive album, cuz we have Yours Truly & Dangerous Woman (her best one), neither her most comercial one, it is My Everthing. It's just an organic/pharrell's project (I hate him for it). She better make Breathin a single!!!

    1. raindrops - 9,0
    2. blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams) - 5,0
    3; the light is coming (feat. Nicki Minaj) - 7,0
    4. R.E.M. - 6,5
    5. God is a woman - 10,0
    6. sweetener - 8,0
    7. successful - 8,5
    8. everytime - 9,0
    9. breathin - 10,0
    10. no tears left to cry - 9,0
    11. borderline - 7,0
    12. better off - 9,0
    13. goodnight n go - 9,0
    14. pete davidson - 5,5
    15. get well soon - 8,5    … Expand
  6. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    6
    The album isn't as well polished or extravagant as thank u, next, but there are some elements of this album that are really enjoyable. The album feels all over the place and I'd argue the musical directions feel a bit forced and uncomfortable for Ariana, but it's still a pop album that makes most look very bland.
  7. BonnieBerry
    Aug 20, 2018
    6
    Um álbum bom porém nem todas as músicas se conversam. God is a woman e breathin são as melhores faixas do álbum e sweetener e pete davidson as piores
  8. lucasbafonso
    Aug 18, 2018
    6
    i was expecting more of the album it was such a disappointment but there are some good tracks there like breathing, everytime, better of, and the singles that were released before
  9. NADANADA
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    O álbum poderia sem duvidas ser melhor, uma parte do álbum parece musicas de natal e outra parece trap, o álbum contem faixas mediana, porem faixas como sweetener, No tears left to cry e God is a Woman se destacam, no geral é um álbum mediano, nem bom nem ruim !!!
  10. Hogdion
    Aug 20, 2018
    6
    Not her best effort...There are overall 5/6 good track, but the rest is pretty bland, boring and repetitive.
  11. Izzyxxx
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    This album is decent, but unfortunately doesn't match the amount of hype it was given. Started off strong with a brief ballad, but then we get into Pharrell's territory, who has a very distinctive production style that Ariana's voice (often monotonous) just doesn't suit very well. When they team up, it's either a hit or miss. I can imagine other artists who always seem to do his productionThis album is decent, but unfortunately doesn't match the amount of hype it was given. Started off strong with a brief ballad, but then we get into Pharrell's territory, who has a very distinctive production style that Ariana's voice (often monotonous) just doesn't suit very well. When they team up, it's either a hit or miss. I can imagine other artists who always seem to do his production justice, like Camila Cabello or Janelle Monae, bodying some of the songs that she botched, such as Blazed and Sweetener. Although, there were some great moments that held my attention, like God Is A Woman and Goodnight n Go. Not a terrible album, but definitely her weakest project.… Expand
  12. MarioArauz
    Feb 9, 2019
    6
    Ariana's 4th album is a failed experiment,the lack of cohesiveness,consistency and quality makes the album extremely difficult to listen there are few great songs such as the chosen singles and a couple other decent ones but overall this is probably ari's worst album to date
  13. camp3stre
    Aug 19, 2018
    6
    this album was a mess, and i think the main problem was that Pharrell Williams participate on it. For me the only decent songs are: God is a Woman, Breathin and No Taers left to Cry. But in a overall, the album was mainly trash. i still prefer "Dangerous Woman".
  14. Gabriel_Faria
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    The message of the album is very special, but 'No tears left to cry', 'God is a woman' and 'Breathin' are the only commendable tracks. Since I've heard 'No tears left to cry' for the first time, I was expecting something better than this. She's able to deliver something more powerful with her stunning voice
  15. davidrolon07
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great job by the hands of Pharrel, but is something though.
    The Ariana voice gave you an interesting contrast between the rhythms and lyrics. Something more mature than her last album, but still exactly the same with another producers.
    Raindrops haves a big potencial, that's been lose in only 37 seconds. Blazed sounds with the Pharrel touch, not bad. The Light Is Coming is the exposure of how it works experimental Ariana. Until then God Is A Woman and Sweetener let you a "sweet savior". Finally, the best part is No Tears Left To Cry, there's no words to explain it.
    Isn't the best album of the year, and isn't the best from this lady. You won't want to heard it four times. (si tu también vienes de MPTG, screen)    … Expand
  16. albumreview4
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    This album is full of filler tracks and lacks actual substance, Lyrically weak, the songs have no personality and are bland, the production for most of the tracks are all over the place and messy. For an album after a tragic loss of her fans, I expected a song that was dedicated to them, instead we got a track dedicated exclusively to her fiancé . This is her fourth album so I expectedThis album is full of filler tracks and lacks actual substance, Lyrically weak, the songs have no personality and are bland, the production for most of the tracks are all over the place and messy. For an album after a tragic loss of her fans, I expected a song that was dedicated to them, instead we got a track dedicated exclusively to her fiancé . This is her fourth album so I expected artistic growth. Though she has "experimental" tracks on this album, when you listen to them, they are either completely terrible songs, or they sound production wise different from what she has done, but lyrically it's in the same vein of everything else she has done. The songs that I like, I really like. Goodnight n go, god is a woman, her well soon, no tears left to cry, better off, breathin are good. Every time is ok. Pete Davidson is a cute interlude. REM is boring, TLIC is messy production wise. Successful, Borderline, blaze, and sweetener are not songs I go back to.… Expand
  17. jne221
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    Sweetener may have aspire to depart from her previous sound, credit to this bold attempt (with 'no tears' & 'giaw') but for the rest...it seems rather derivative from her past efforts or lacking punch in general. Maybe I should give this another 300 listen?
  18. anaiswaterson
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    the lyrics and production on this album are all over the place, the hooks on a lot of songs are awfull and apart from nicki minaj the features dont do nothing for this album. its not a bad album by any means but is for sure the worst she has ever put out
  19. johncelfakeacc
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    The album is good. but there's something that makes me feel bored while listening to the album. For me, the beat is same. To be honest, Dangerous Woman is better than Sweetener. but i there are some bops to this album like God is a Woman, Successful, Breathing and Sweetener they sound good actually.
  20. parkjinsoul
    Aug 17, 2018
    6
    The album is not all bad, but wanted to wish. Most of the songs have similar sonority, until they seem to connect and the beginning of some pair Christmas music. Ariana risked a lot by working with Pharrell. I understand that this album is more in the RnB footprint, but it could be more complex. LMLY's RnB in Dangerous Woman was perfect. May Ariana work with someone better in the next ageThe album is not all bad, but wanted to wish. Most of the songs have similar sonority, until they seem to connect and the beginning of some pair Christmas music. Ariana risked a lot by working with Pharrell. I understand that this album is more in the RnB footprint, but it could be more complex. LMLY's RnB in Dangerous Woman was perfect. May Ariana work with someone better in the next age and be sure of what to actually do.… Expand
  21. emmaAS
    Aug 18, 2018
    6
    I didn't felt it as a good or bad album, it's just something neutral. It has a couple of big hits and a couple of meaningful songs, but it's mostly full of forgettable songs. Also, I didn't felt it as Ariana's style, this was more Pharrell's style.
  22. lilith12
    Aug 19, 2018
    6
    I was left unimpressed by the 4-5 good songs on the entire album (those NOT produced by the guy with the big hat). I was expecting more from Ariana. Better try again next time, maybe we'll see some artistic development
  23. emilio2000
    Aug 19, 2018
    6
    The album is very well produced and her voice sounds great, but it stays there does not give us anything and in my opinion a ballad is missing, therefore the album feels half-hearted.
  24. musicraven
    Aug 19, 2018
    6
    El álbum tiene canciones interesantes que podrían haber dado para más, pero no por eso es malo, me parece algo aceptable, aunque los ritmos se vuelven repetitivos tras un rato.
  25. jpccx
    Aug 26, 2018
    6
    Another album of Ariana singing about how spoiled, loved and successful she is, and I think is great because she is, but this was such an opportunity to make an statemet before everything that happened. Almost all of the songs are fillers to me. Sweetener just felt flat. GIAW, NTLTC, Goodnight n Go my favs.
  26. Strephon
    Aug 28, 2018
    6
    Sweetener, Ariana Grande's 4th studio album, is a very nicely collated album with songs like God Is A Woman, No Tears Left To Cry, and Breathin' that makes not only her fans but also the general public to listen. However, the album is generally, for me, not vibrant and colorful like her previous albums. Ariana Grande is entitled the Princess of Pop but her album didn't include much pureSweetener, Ariana Grande's 4th studio album, is a very nicely collated album with songs like God Is A Woman, No Tears Left To Cry, and Breathin' that makes not only her fans but also the general public to listen. However, the album is generally, for me, not vibrant and colorful like her previous albums. Ariana Grande is entitled the Princess of Pop but her album didn't include much pure pop records. Most songs in the album generally sound the same to the ears of a person who hasn't listened to the album thoroughly thus generally discouraging them to listen to the album. Simply put, the album lacks bops and catchy songs. I suggest she never collabs with Pharell again since in my opinion, he ruins potentially good songs with his production just like The Light Is Coming. Overall, it's a pretty good album. It's not Ariana's complete fault that this wasn't her best although she definitely should have done something to make it better.… Expand
  27. Guibh008009
    Aug 25, 2019
    6
    Esse album e medio , tem musicas de qualidade mas ainda não é um otimo album
  28. Celiaafn
    Oct 31, 2020
    6
    There are two sides for me, one that I love a lot such as god is a woman, breathin, no tears left to cry, better off, everytime and goodnight n go. But I don't like at all songs like blazed, the light is coming, successful, borderline and sweetener.
  29. melliejellie
    Jan 17, 2020
    6
    It's not her best work, but it also not her worst. I did enjoy the album but she could have done so much better.
  30. cipriano
    Feb 6, 2020
    6
    It performs its clever, but it is even a little disappointing considering ariana's trajectory. They are tracks that offer something great and good to hear and other basic productions and something median, a difficulty to enjoy an album descends. Not the highlight to differentiate pop music in the current scenario.
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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.
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  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.
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