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. Ybag
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    this album is so different and in a good way i love it it's nothing like her previous work a masterpiece
  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. talia_gx
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana has mature a lot from her previous albums, and I’m honestly here for it! Definitely worth the listen!
  4. IsabellaM
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    ARIANA YOU DID THAT!!! so good omg. every song is perfection. LOVE this new sound! also 91 #1's already!!! its what you deserve
  5. grandesbenefit
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    its a 10/10, the vocals are amazing and the album explores new genres. It's so different from what we're used to.
  6. jxemoon
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This album is Ariana’s best body of work to date. Pop and R&B perfection.
  7. 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
  8. godisawoman
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is the perfect mix of pop and R&B. The album has a very special massage, where she sings about her anxiety and honouring the victims of the Manchester attack in May 2017. The album consists of powerful bops such as ”no tears left to cry” and ”breathin”. Nothing can go wrong when one of the worlds most famous music artists collaborates with top producer Pharrell. This masterpieceSweetener is the perfect mix of pop and R&B. The album has a very special massage, where she sings about her anxiety and honouring the victims of the Manchester attack in May 2017. The album consists of powerful bops such as ”no tears left to cry” and ”breathin”. Nothing can go wrong when one of the worlds most famous music artists collaborates with top producer Pharrell. This masterpiece is really different from her previous albums and is definitiely worth a listen.… Expand
  9. lmgrandex
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is one of Ariana's best albums, the range on this album is amazing and it shows that she really has grown as an artist. If you think you don't like this album, just listen to it again. it will take some time to grow on you. This album covers sensitive topics and serves amazing vocals. Ariana really went in on this, i love it! Personally the best songs are: breathin', everytime,This is one of Ariana's best albums, the range on this album is amazing and it shows that she really has grown as an artist. If you think you don't like this album, just listen to it again. it will take some time to grow on you. This album covers sensitive topics and serves amazing vocals. Ariana really went in on this, i love it! Personally the best songs are: breathin', everytime, sweetener, goodnight n go and better off. Please if you haven't already, listen to this album!… Expand
  10. CARDIBARDI
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    SHE DID THAT!!!! Thank you ariana for this amazing body of work. lyrically her best. so well produced! love love love it!
  11. ItsRichie
    Aug 17, 2018
    5
    Ariana wanted Sweetener to have a different sound from anything she has released before and although she succeeded in that as there isn't anything else out right now that sounds similar, it misses the mark. I am a huge fan of Ariana but i am very disappointed in this album. It's full of unsatisfying production, which is not her fault entirely. It doesn't give me the same happiness orAriana wanted Sweetener to have a different sound from anything she has released before and although she succeeded in that as there isn't anything else out right now that sounds similar, it misses the mark. I am a huge fan of Ariana but i am very disappointed in this album. It's full of unsatisfying production, which is not her fault entirely. It doesn't give me the same happiness or appeal as her previous album, Dangerous Woman, did. Of course there were some stand outs on this album that were excellent such as Breathin, Everytime and Goodnight n Go that showed her talent and abilities but there just isnt enough in this album. I expected better, especially after no tears left to cry and God is a woman were amazing singles that I still love to this day. I hope she never goes to Pharrell ever again as it didnt work out. Dangerous Woman remains her best album for its cohesiveness, production, vocal ability and bops. Hopefully Sweetener grows on me.

    The best songs:
    Breathin
    Everytime
    Goodnight n go
    No Tears Left To Cry
    God Is a Woman    … Expand
  12. permanentagb
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    for real, anyone who rates this anything lower than a 9 is delusional. miss grande really snapped
  13. pepewhat
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    She really snapped. This album is quirky and fun while also being dreamy and personal. This is the right sound for Ariana.
  14. EGM18
    Aug 17, 2018
    0
    The hype for this album isnt worth it. Ariana Grande it's a great singer, but she doesn't have an idea how to create a cohesive album. Pharrel's production is wack.
  15. daniel5_
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Mesmo sem hits obvios, o album cumpre uma proposta linear e mostra uma grande evolução das maior artista da geração dela
  16. literalbrooke
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    a beautiful enigma of r&b and pop. i was left speechless and in tears! truly her most mature album, i am so impressed. she really came to tell her story. it has such a different, unique sound. it is nothing like the pop hits she has released in past eras, and that is definitely not a bad thing!
  17. fabienmrd
    Aug 17, 2018
    7
    This is not Ariana’s best album, however she came with something really different from her other albums and I appreciate that. I also think that Breathin is the only song that could do well as a single.
  18. miablakeway
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is Ariana’s best album to date. Those complaining are the same ones who wanted her to experiment and move away from pop, and now she has no one is happy? Ariana has clearly worked on this project for a while and put all her best efforts into it. The production, vocals and lyrics are her best to date. Notable tracks: Breathin, Get Well Soon & R.E.M.
  19. toveloismymom
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    шедевр ники минаж в ахуе что можно выпускать такую качественную попсу а не рыгать в каждом треке 10 из 10 однозначно
  20. Osnapitzavi
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Another great album by Ariana Grande. Excellent vocals and addictive songs. The result was very good.
  21. pedros30
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Um álbum incrível!!! Ariana deixa sua zona de conforto para experimentar algo mais promissor porém sem perder a qualidade!… Expand
  22. RichardRhoads
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is artistic growth, she’s doing what no other pop star has been doing, and that’s evolving her sound and improving the quality. She has talent and this album shows it
  23. 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
  24. Kosmiblues
    Aug 17, 2018
    5
    Es un disco de 3 canciones buenas, el resto parecen descartes de otros discos suyos.
  25. punkrockgabby
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Her best and most cohesive album to date. Lyrics, production and vocals are out of this world. If you're doubtful I sincerely suggest giving it a few more listens before deciding; almost all of the songs are growers and take some time to be fully appreciated. She has come so far since Problem and Bang Bang and has for sure gained a new fan with this album.
  26. Oxygxn
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Her best album yet. Top three songs are No Tears Left To Cry, Breathin and Better Off.
  27. keeleywxbb
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Honestly her best album yet. The message behind the album is so powerful and meaningful!! It’s such a new sound for ariana and i don’t think that’s a reason for other people to hate on it saying it’s ‘boring’ and made with ‘horrible production’. Her voice has matured and so has the style of music and that shows through with each and every song. buy and stream sweetener
  28. illuminari
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    She snapped, really different and cohesive, absolutely love it, ariana is an icon and the stans giving her a low reviews are just mad that their fav releases albums like witness
  29. Bethlee
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    this is Ariana’s BEST ALBUM. In her voice you can hear all the emotion and vibes she’s trying to put across . It’s something new and fresh and easily her best work to date. She has explored with different types of music and made it personal yet individual. Definitely the album of the year. BUY AND STREAM SWEETENER YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!
  30. kjhkjhk
    Aug 17, 2018
    4
    Yeah this was a pretty huge miss. I only ended up liking 3 songs - ntlc,breathin and god is a woman. Dangerous woman was a 100x better than this even though the writing was equally weak. From this its safe to say Max Martin has lost his zing. i had a feeling this album was going to struggle considering how pathetic Taylor's album was (which was also produced by Max) . Pharrell was also notYeah this was a pretty huge miss. I only ended up liking 3 songs - ntlc,breathin and god is a woman. Dangerous woman was a 100x better than this even though the writing was equally weak. From this its safe to say Max Martin has lost his zing. i had a feeling this album was going to struggle considering how pathetic Taylor's album was (which was also produced by Max) . Pharrell was also not a good choice for a producer after he royally messed up JT's Man of the Woods. Overall its a Yikes! from me. This why more artists should learn how to self produce like Lorde, St Vincent and Jack Antonoff. Their ideas might come out clearer and they also learn a lot more in the process.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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