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. orlandoarceovaz
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana gives us a new experience in her music with totally new sounds, good lyrics, some people saw bad lyrics and repetitive to The Light Is Coming but she has a great teaching and meaning and it is one of her best recordings
  2. Sebastian081100
    Jun 3, 2019
    1
    Aburrido, siempre lo mismo, aunque tenga buenas líricas siempre hace lo mismo
  3. caiox4
    Aug 27, 2018
    10
    Melhor álbum da Ariana e melhor álbum de 2018. Parabéns, menina mulher. Ter álbum mais discutido do ano é essencial.
  4. willpaz1105
    Nov 29, 2020
    8
    Sweetener is a mix of the new Ariana Grande. She explored a new interesting sound, her vocals improved as always nobody can deny how great a vocalist she is, Pharell was unnecessary in Sweetener in my opinion but Ariana can save her fourth album with an amazingly pure voice and I am so proud of it." Breathin", "God is a woman" and "No Tears Left To cry" are a good representation of new Ari.
  5. brandmathew
    Nov 28, 2018
    7
    Soft and powerful, delightful and empowered this is what we can call ''sweetener'' her most mature album, sounded differently of her latest works, the R&B calls out so differently and beautiful, the lyrics are so personal and more meaningful than ever.
  6. itsvague
    Aug 31, 2018
    8
    wish there were more songs like R.E.M, God is a woman and no tears left to cry. Trying to reignite the 90s chill diva vibe, sweetener is a good album to clean the house and do the homework. Ariana found the perfect style for her music tho Dangerous Woman still sounds like her pinnackle.
  7. gracomartinez
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Lo llamaria como un trabajo muy bueno... Esté album es parecido a Yours Truly muy bueno intimo y sentimental.
    Es lo mejor que tus oidos pueden escuchar.
  8. PsychoLevi
    Aug 31, 2019
    0
    Ariana was trying too hard to become an "icon" and create something new, but the selling number told that it was impossible for her.
  9. Masquic
    Aug 17, 2018
    7
    It is incredibly that every song that Pharrell isn't involved in the production or composition are the bests from the album. It's not her best work but it surely has some amazing songs, like breathin, oh, the vibes and lyrics of this song are just on point.
  10. Pabloskiwins
    Aug 25, 2019
    0
    The production and lyrics of this album ain't it. There too much skips and it's definitely Ariana's worst piece of work.
  11. Sun239
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Even if the song The Light is coming wasn't one of the best the other songs shows a different version of Ariana showing that she can make very commercial music to the most personal sounds in her discography, one song that really disappointed me was the featuring whit Missy Elliot
  12. HigorCristian
    Aug 17, 2018
    8
    Um dos melhores álbuns de Ariana Grande. Para os fans, eles vão "estranhar" pela ousadia em que ela se propôs a fazer, explorando outras sonoridades. Sweetener se considera com um dos trabalho mais coeso de sua carreira.
  13. 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
  14. samuelfigue
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    well

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  15. angelhernxndez
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This record vibes are so aesthetic. This is Yours Truly son. This is Iconic. This is Ariana Grande.
  16. Olin
    Dec 7, 2018
    9
    Ariana mudou completamente o foco, apesar da mega produção, sweetener não agradou os fãs de pop mais enérgicos, um álbum que reflete muito a vida da cantora, com certeza uma autobiografia que vale a pena ouvir até o final.
  17. chenchen
    Oct 29, 2022
    0
    Wow. A heartfelt piece of work. Her most heart wrenching album. Ari puts all her feelings into this album.
  18. m44sheehan
    Aug 30, 2018
    10
    A very left of center body of work. This album to me is the best pop album of the year. Her emotion in this record is something that I have not seen in her past records. There was something lacking in her past records; and her writing most of these tracks and going through adversity, advanced her artistic sensibilities and made her work more innovative and cohesive. The songs produced byA very left of center body of work. This album to me is the best pop album of the year. Her emotion in this record is something that I have not seen in her past records. There was something lacking in her past records; and her writing most of these tracks and going through adversity, advanced her artistic sensibilities and made her work more innovative and cohesive. The songs produced by Pharrell are some of the best because they make you work to understand their true intent or meaning. Just like the age of streaming-pop right now, everything is given to the listener on a silver platter and they do not have to work to uncover the true meaning of the song. With Pharrell's tracks, it takes time to digest the true meaning and that is what great pop music does. Her artistic advances, voice, and writing is absolutely brilliant on this album because it all comes from a place of honest vulnerability following the terrorist attacks. Her most brilliant tracks on this album are first breathin, which is literally a song about clinical anxiety, but is disguised as a brilliant pop song thanks to the production. The way she says "My, My Air" at the end is pretty remarkable, and although that is only a small detail, it really adds to the experience someone goes through when they have a legitimate anxiety attack. God is a Woman is another brilliant track because she manages to merge art and female empowerment with a catchy melody and forward thinking production. Definitely her most innovative work, and she seems to be the only female pop star leading the charts right now in an increasingly hip hop dominated streaming world. If she continues to be this honest in her music, and write her own music, she will be one of the greatest pop stars the world has ever seen. Oh and not to mention her angelic soprano voice, which imbues the record with effortless vocals and a showcase for true vocal technicality that only a singer of immense musicality can accomplish.… Expand
  19. jobsonhastings
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener é sem dúvidas o álbum do ano, salvação de 2018. Ariana conseguiu se expressar com maneira certa: a voz. A composição e a produção é excelente e contemporânea.
  20. Stargirl
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Perfect i have no words, she is always doing her best i love her so much, she is the best person in the world
  21. c29
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    Ariana explora outro lado de si mesma que até então era desconhecido, inovando em comparação aos seus trabalhos anteriores
  22. PaulYordan
    Aug 23, 2018
    7
    The album is good. It's demonstrates why Ariana can be distinguished from most pop artists in special moments when her voice sounds at its peak. Also, It has some songs that his voice is used to the maximum potential, but in other songs the typical Ariana sounds that his voice is devalued with generic pop rhythms and songs. In addition, it is full of collaborations that did not addThe album is good. It's demonstrates why Ariana can be distinguished from most pop artists in special moments when her voice sounds at its peak. Also, It has some songs that his voice is used to the maximum potential, but in other songs the typical Ariana sounds that his voice is devalued with generic pop rhythms and songs. In addition, it is full of collaborations that did not add anything new to the album.… Expand
  23. 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.
  24. u137288reddit
    Sep 5, 2018
    8
    Okay, let's get this out of the way. Borderline sucks and is a waste of Missy Elliot. However, everything else on this album ranges from good to great. The production is a change for Ari, but still bops, as do her vocals
  25. theblackrhose
    Mar 19, 2019
    7
    "Sweetener" is a grower. With the drastic change of sound it has, it definitely shocks the audience and keeps you wondering which direction she's trying to go. Although it is a very cohesive album, there are some songs that are amazing and others that are just not it; some of the production lacks that "Ariana" feel. The lyrics are very basic, considering it is an album that was supposed to"Sweetener" is a grower. With the drastic change of sound it has, it definitely shocks the audience and keeps you wondering which direction she's trying to go. Although it is a very cohesive album, there are some songs that are amazing and others that are just not it; some of the production lacks that "Ariana" feel. The lyrics are very basic, considering it is an album that was supposed to tell her story after all the pain she had been through previous her release. This was definitely a promising transition from full pop to pop-R&B, leaving her audience with high hopes and wanting more.… Expand
  26. JermE
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    The album is amazing Ariana finally played with different sounds and you can really see and hear her artistic growth. I recommend listening to God Is A Woman, Breathin, R.E.M, Everytime, Better Off, and Get Well Soon. Ignore the bad reviews posted by biased twitter stans and give the album a listen
  27. alarmfalse
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    flawless! UGH her mind... work of art PERFECT AMAZING UGH LOVE U ARIANAAAAA
  28. Sebastian2018
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is something different in her, we all expected her sensuality and glamor. but come on, it's time to reinvent yourself
  29. Josephrmorenos
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Me encantó el album, al principio me extraño los distintos sonidos que ofrecía pero finalmente me terminaron gustando. Puedo decir que Sweetener es uno de sus trabajos mas arriesgados pero también es uno de los que mas le puso más corazón. Hay que hacerle mención especial a piezas como "no tears left to cry", "breathin" o "everytime" que son las mejores del álbum a mi parecer. Y no hay queMe encantó el album, al principio me extraño los distintos sonidos que ofrecía pero finalmente me terminaron gustando. Puedo decir que Sweetener es uno de sus trabajos mas arriesgados pero también es uno de los que mas le puso más corazón. Hay que hacerle mención especial a piezas como "no tears left to cry", "breathin" o "everytime" que son las mejores del álbum a mi parecer. Y no hay que dejar de lado la canción final "get well soon" con su tributo a la ciudad de Manchester.… Expand
  30. gustavog
    Aug 17, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Even I prefer a full-pop job, sweetener really caught me; the intro with only-vocal is so amazing, and God is a woman is my favorite of course! breathing' need to be a single… 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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