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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. lauraguimaraes
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande mais uma vez provou que é uma artista completa e versátil com “Sweetener”. Compôs, produziu e mostrou vocais poderosos de uma maneira jamais feita pela princesa do pop, assumiu riscos indo para um lado mais R&B e se desafiou artisticamente. Grande saiu de sua zona de conforto e nos deu uma coleção de musicas lindas dentro de um contexto coeso, sem decepcionar nenhuma vez.
  2. serhanbutera
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    All songs are good. Ariana did different styles and i like it. Album so good. Love u
  3. Moonlightsight
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    The album is everything I‘ve ever dreamt of and I can‘t stop,listening to it, it‘s dreamy, sweet and so different to what mainstream musicians do these days. I‘m in love, this album deserves everything
  4. sapphireboy07
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Apparently, a pastel album is everything I've ever wanted. Once again, the standouts this era were produced and/or written by Max Martin, Ilya, and Savan Kotecha. Respectable efforts by Pharrell with R.E.M. and Get Well Soon tho (his other tracks were cute, but were obvi not the breakout faves). It's new, and people are still easing into it not being the pop perfection 'Dangerous Woman'Apparently, a pastel album is everything I've ever wanted. Once again, the standouts this era were produced and/or written by Max Martin, Ilya, and Savan Kotecha. Respectable efforts by Pharrell with R.E.M. and Get Well Soon tho (his other tracks were cute, but were obvi not the breakout faves). It's new, and people are still easing into it not being the pop perfection 'Dangerous Woman' delivered. But Ariana Grande's allowed to grow musically and in her career. She will continue to reach greater heights as the years pass by, and this album is a good indication. Solid album. Buy/stream it.… Expand
  5. ArtemSaloev
    Mar 27, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Sweetener" is quiet and melodic album but sometimes unpredictable. Grande did a step forward and showed us her great power. No tears left to cry, god is a woman, breathin, everytime. raindrops(an angel cried), goodnight n go demonstrate us all power of her voice and opportunities. But I can't deny that some tracks like Pete Davidson, successful and borderline are cheap. But anyway Grande made a beautiful album and you should listen to it!… Expand
  6. musiclover199
    Aug 18, 2018
    7
    There are some moments on the album but in the most part it falls flat. I don't think most of the tracks have any replay value
  7. huyhie
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande came back with a delightful but powerful body of work as "Sweetener" is her most personal album to date. Though Pharrell gives the album many (weirdly) surprising twists, the best tracks on the album stand out as some of Pop/RnB's strongest songs in 2018. One of the noticeably powerful tracks on the album is "Breathin", with every element needed for a Pop hit, this song isAriana Grande came back with a delightful but powerful body of work as "Sweetener" is her most personal album to date. Though Pharrell gives the album many (weirdly) surprising twists, the best tracks on the album stand out as some of Pop/RnB's strongest songs in 2018. One of the noticeably powerful tracks on the album is "Breathin", with every element needed for a Pop hit, this song is most likely to be one of the smash hits of this era. "God is a woman", "No Tears Left To Cry" and "The Light Is Coming" are all strong tracks, although the last one may sound strange for some. "R.E.M", "everytime", "get well soon" and "better off" may be some of the most favorable tracks, with "better off" being the only ballad on the album, but a powerful one. Overall, this album may just be the best Pop album of the year and definitely one of Ariana's bests so far along with her previous project "Dangerous Woman".… Expand
  8. ralphbernardo13
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    The production is much different than her first albums. A much matured Ariana Grande and same breathtaking harmonizing and vocals. I love the mood and how it paid tribute to the Manchester incident.
  9. Sweetener4
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Un buen trabajo, ella enserio se lucio con este album, es una pieza maestra.
  10. leobecker
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    simplesmente hinário, há algumas faixas horríveis? sim como borderline é blazed mas goodnight n go,breathin, god is a woman e outras compensam, é o 2º melhor álbum de ariana só perdendo pra dangerous woman, ela traz uma vibe mais R&B nessa álbum saindo totalmente se sua zona de conforto, inovar e hitar é essencial
  11. gabrielcunha
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande is a pop legend since her debut. Sweetener is a mix of everything she gave us with her three other albums, "Yours Truly", "My Everything" and "Dangerous Woman". It's a perfect album, even with the Pharrell's heavy intervention, it's something where Ariana explore her voice, her talent and emotions. Thank you Ariana.
  12. pjsgdlu
    Aug 30, 2018
    10
    this album is amazing, the only problem people could have is that is a little bit different, but it is really good, able to win a grammy
  13. sweetener716
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    After several albums that, albeit aesthetically different, followed the same Max Martin-devised formula of repetitive beats, soaring high notes for the sake of high notes, and a conglomerate of songs that would be great singles but didn't exactly make for a cohesive album, Sweetener is an emblem of artistic growth. Ariana and her team should be very proud. With an experimental sound thatAfter several albums that, albeit aesthetically different, followed the same Max Martin-devised formula of repetitive beats, soaring high notes for the sake of high notes, and a conglomerate of songs that would be great singles but didn't exactly make for a cohesive album, Sweetener is an emblem of artistic growth. Ariana and her team should be very proud. With an experimental sound that thankfully doesn't veer into "I have GarageBand and I know how to use it" territory, she stretches the limits of what modern pop is meant to be.

    With several songs dedicated to her struggles with anxiety, toxic relationships, and the sadness that remains after Manchester, Ariana showcases depth like she never has before.    … Expand
  14. panchofan
    Aug 18, 2018
    9
    el album es bueno canciones como NTLTC, GIAW, TLIC, Breathin, everytime, raindrops (an angel cry) son las mejores pero en otras canciones muy adelantada para sacar nuevos tonos y no son buenas son largas y aburridas
  15. jards
    Aug 18, 2018
    7
    Apesar de Ariana sempre ter tido influências de R&B, acho que nesse album ela traz isso mais fortemente, além de se apresentar com vocais e arranjos bem incomuns, se comparados aos trabalhos anteriores.
  16. Jacsantos
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    This album exhibits Ariana's growth as an artist. The album, and yes this is an ALBUM not a collection of pop singles, reflects what Ari has gone through the last year or so. It's hectic and almost disjointed sound at times reflects her feelings of anxiety in a post Manchester world, mixed with dreamy vocals reflecting her healing process and falling in love. Feminism, anxiety, loss, toxicThis album exhibits Ariana's growth as an artist. The album, and yes this is an ALBUM not a collection of pop singles, reflects what Ari has gone through the last year or so. It's hectic and almost disjointed sound at times reflects her feelings of anxiety in a post Manchester world, mixed with dreamy vocals reflecting her healing process and falling in love. Feminism, anxiety, loss, toxic relationships, light, and getting well are all the themes and topics covered here. It's all wrapped in a lush throw back early 2000's r&b production while also pushing the boundaries forward. It's simply her most adult, and best, album to date.… Expand
  17. hoesoulji
    Aug 18, 2018
    9
    O álbum mais coerente e maduro da Ariana. Senti a falta dos vocais mais potentes que ela têm e que se encaixariam muito bem com o som mais r&b do sweetener.
  18. marimsilv
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Ariana's best album with no doubt. It reflects her growth as a person and as an artist. I loved the way she explored new sounds without fear of criticism. This is what the industry needed. Very proud of her.

    My top five atm:
    1. Breathin
    2. God Is A Woman
    3, Everytime
    4. R.E.M
    5. Successful
  19. LuMiranda
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    É o melhor album da carreira da Ari. Ela deu um novo significado ao pop! Ela esta de parabéns!
  20. gabsbrand
    Aug 18, 2018
    9
    É um álbum bastante controverso para uma cantora do nível da Ariana - se não, o mais controverso de sua carreira -, mas não deixa de ser um trabalho impecável. Nesse trabalho, Grande deixa de lado os seus poderosos vocais, marca registrada do seu álbum anterior: "Dangerous Woman", porém ainda podemos notá-los em faixas como "raindrops" e "God is a woman", por exemplo. O único ponto ruim doÉ um álbum bastante controverso para uma cantora do nível da Ariana - se não, o mais controverso de sua carreira -, mas não deixa de ser um trabalho impecável. Nesse trabalho, Grande deixa de lado os seus poderosos vocais, marca registrada do seu álbum anterior: "Dangerous Woman", porém ainda podemos notá-los em faixas como "raindrops" e "God is a woman", por exemplo. O único ponto ruim do álbum são as músicas produzidas pelo Pharrel, que deixam um pouco de lado características próprias da Ariana e se mostram como um "The Pharrel Show" (como afirma o "The Independent (UK)"). Infelizmente, muitos esperavam uma chamada "salvação do pop", e se desapontaram, mas para quem realmente conhece a Ariana, sabe o quanto é importante esse álbum para ela. Contudo, em linhas gerais, é incrível como a Ariana conseguiu sair de sua zona de conforto (pop dançante e vocais bem marcados) e trouxe realmente um álbum bem "adoçado", com suas melodias, letras e vocais amenos.… Expand
  21. IlyaBusheyko
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Один из лучших альбомов в её карьере, если не лучший. Она заслужила всех похвал!
  22. emilywelsh
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    young ariana run pop! she never disappoints. has a song for EVERY listener, and is bound to be a gp success
  23. selenaesquizo
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. melhor álbum da ariana, um pop/r&b com toques suaves de uma verdadeira artista pop, dando destaque a "everytime", "breathin" e "better off" sendo lenda como sempre. a ariana se destacou como artista principal de todo o álbum, diferente dos outros! uma lenda que merece o melhor com esse álbum.… Expand
  24. polux
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    totalmente único e importante na carreira da maior artista de sua geração
  25. MatthewGO
    Aug 18, 2018
    7
    Im an arianator and i have to say that this album is amazing but Pharrell songs could be better bc these sounds so lazy :/
  26. delroiiigrande
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Hands down, this is Ariana Grande’s best album so far!!! She tried to calibrate to another direction, try new stuffs, and she succeeded! Sweetener is “sweet” and “spicy” at the same time. This album deserves a Grammy!
  27. Agdiamondx
    Aug 18, 2018
    9
    Iconic diosariana dando arte nada nuevo, proxima reina del pop asi esza
    Ariana>>>selesarna
  28. Davidsaez
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    La verdad tenia muchas expectativas acerca de este album, pero siento que aun asi es muy bueno.
  29. xcxshunfeng
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    the perfect album I need is this one by Ariana Grande which is called Sweetener
  30. Mike_b
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Un álbum en donde cada canción es diferente, esperando ansioso cada track para sorprenderse con los riesgos acertados que se decidieron tomar.
Page:

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.
    Read full review
  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
See all critic reviews »