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. victorugons
    May 5, 2019
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, most fans didn't understood how good this is as they're used to the 'My Everything' pop style, but this shows how Ariana matured. Now, she's one of the top artists alive.
  2. jppb
    Feb 8, 2019
    10
    Ariana changes completely the style of her songs in this album, but we know she really likes it. This era can sure be called Successful, because AG shows that she is not here to play. We know that her life was really hard during the end of DW and all of Sweetener eras, so the songs are really transparent and all of them pass some kind of positive message, in other words, the album isAriana changes completely the style of her songs in this album, but we know she really likes it. This era can sure be called Successful, because AG shows that she is not here to play. We know that her life was really hard during the end of DW and all of Sweetener eras, so the songs are really transparent and all of them pass some kind of positive message, in other words, the album is cohesive and super personal.… Expand
  3. ghostin
    Feb 22, 2019
    5
    don't get me false, i like sweetener n its style. but.. the other albums have just a better personality, story...... just better songs. there's no song in sweetener which makes BANG. the other albums did. of course im glad she won a grammy for that but its pathetic (sorry, not sorry) that dangerous woman didn't. im a big arianator but sweetener disappointed me.
  4. natyvt
    Feb 10, 2019
    10
    Um álbum totalmente diferente de todos que Ariana já fez, é com certeza um álbum merecedor de grandes prêmios! Nessa nova era Ariana consegue fazer aquilo que exatamente gosta e se sente bem ao estar fazendo, além de estar fora da sua zona de conforto!
  5. Zack44
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    Sweetener is arguably Ariana’s best album. Sweetener proved Ariana won’t just be releasing pop bangers anymore, she’s grown and matured and tapped into a different sound
  6. brunodss
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    Apesar de não ser o melhor álbum da Ariana na minha opinião, eu vejo que o Sweetener é o álbum mais sincero dela e o mais conceitual, aborda temas de feminismo, ansiedade, superação... Acho que as pessoas deveriam pesquisar um pouco mais sobre o Sweetener e ver o quanto ele é um álbum sincero e cheio de significados..
  7. becwisdom
    May 22, 2019
    10
    amazing just as all of her albums to be completely honest, love her work!!!
  8. theoldjs
    Feb 20, 2019
    7
    4st Album: Sweetener: 74

    1. raindrops (an angel cried): 100/100 2. blazed: 20/100 3. the light is coming: 45/100 4. R.E.M: 50/100 5. God is a woman: 100/100 6. sweetener: 70/100 7. successful: 60/100 8. everytime: 85/100 9. breathin: 100/100 10. no tears left to cry: 100/100 11. borderline: 40/100 12. better off: 85/100 13. goodnight n go: 85/100 14. pete davidson: 80/100    4st Album: Sweetener: 74

    1. raindrops (an angel cried): 100/100
    2. blazed: 20/100
    3. the light is coming: 45/100
    4. R.E.M: 50/100
    5. God is a woman: 100/100
    6. sweetener: 70/100
    7. successful: 60/100
    8. everytime: 85/100
    9. breathin: 100/100
    10. no tears left to cry: 100/100
    11. borderline: 40/100
    12. better off: 85/100
    13. goodnight n go: 85/100
    14. pete davidson: 80/100
    15. get well soon: 90/100    … Expand
  9. iudi
    Aug 19, 2019
    10
    Ariana definitivamente saiu da zona de conforto do pop genérico do Max Martin e fez um álbum totalmente diferente do habitual e do que estamos acostumados. Desde do início da carreira fazendo um som que se destacasse dentre as outras cantoras, Grande apenas se consolidou mais com o Sweetener, onde de fato está tudo doce.
  10. ivanhugo
    Aug 6, 2019
    10
    Uma sonoridade diferente para a Ari, com músicas mais imponderadas e pessoais. A maldição do quarto álbum passou longe
  11. Kellim
    Apr 16, 2019
    8
    At first listening, I didn't really like the album. But it grows on you as you listen to every song. Not catchy, and it didn't left a mark on me, but it's the kind of album you listen once and again because you actually enjoyed, not because it is a mix of bubblegum pop songs.
  12. Ana_Paula007
    May 8, 2019
    8
    É um ótimo album, coeso e interessante, Ariana sempre lançando trabalhos de qualidade

    Melhores do album

    Blazed♥️
    The Light Is Coming♥️
    R.E.M♥️
    God Is A Woman♥️
    Succesful♥️
    No Tears Left To Cry♥️
    Get Well Soon♥️
  13. JeremySpears
    Aug 20, 2020
    4
    "Sweetener" was released two years ago this week.
    It’s Ariana's favorite album and was praised by critics. However, I stopped stanning her after this album because I just couldn’t connect with this album...at all.
    First the positive bits: The album's intro "raindrops (an angel cried)" is cute. She shows off her incredible voice in this interlude. The first track "blazed" featuring    "Sweetener" was released two years ago this week.
    It’s Ariana's favorite album and was praised by critics. However, I stopped stanning her after this album because I just couldn’t connect with this album...at all.

    First the positive bits:
    The album's intro "raindrops (an angel cried)" is cute. She shows off her incredible voice in this interlude.
    The first track "blazed" featuring Pharrell Williams is universally hated but it’s actually one of the few songs on the album that I like. I like the breathing in the background and the funk influences.
    There’s two groups of people when it comes to "the light is coming"; one group loves the song and the other group hates it. I immediately liked the song. It’s very different and actually probably the only experiment on this "experimental" album that worked for me. It’s very hip-hop influenced and I like the sample. Nicki's part is a little short on this one.
    "God is a woman", the album's second single, is an anthem! The message about female sexual empowerment is very powerful and Ariana's vocals on this song are outstanding.
    The album's third single "breathin" was immediately my favorite song when I first heard the album. It has a dance pop sound and is definitely the most poppy track on the album. Lyrically it talks about overcoming anxiety which is an incredible message and relatable for someone like me who struggles a lot with anxiety.
    Everyone knows the album's lead single "no tears left to cry" and everyone loves it. Rightfully so because it’s one of those perfect Max Martin pop songs. That man is a pop genius! It talks about the tragic Manchester attack and about overcoming a tragic event. Very serious theme but that song just always puts me in a good mood. The harmonies in the background are stunning.

    Now the negative parts:
    First the album's title track. Really? What is that? Not only are the lyrics annoyingly repetitive, bland and just stupid in parts but also the production is so damn messy and weird.
    "successful" is a song about Ariana being....successful. The chorus of the song can be fun at times but that Wii music in the background is almost laughable. It sounds a bit unfinished.
    "R.E.M" is a Beyoncé reject. It’s obvious why Bey didn’t want to put this on her album because it’s just so damn boring. There’s no lows or highs in this song it’s just so monotone. It’s funny that she sings about sleeping because the song will literally put you to sleep.
    "borderline" features the legendary Queen of Hip-Hop Missy Elliott. I expected a lot from it but it’s easily the worst song on this album. And that says a lot. Just like "R.E.M" there’s no highs or lows and the song is extremely monotone and it’s just...there. Missy's verse is boring too unfortunately.
    The album's final track "get well soon" talks about Ariana's personal anxiety and trauma following the Manchester attack. Beautiful meaning, terrible song. It’s extremely messy and feels like 90 different song rolled into one.

    I don't mind "everytime", "better off", "goodnight n go" and the "pete davidson" interlude. Those four tracks were simply okay. Not terrible but nothing special either.

    So "Sweetener" was not for me. It’s a very messy album with a lot of bad songs and fillers. Ariana constantly adding "yuh" to every line she sings doesn’t help as it just gets annoying at some point. I have no idea how this album got the critical acclaim it received but that’s just me. Anyway, the 5 (or 6) tracks that are good would’ve made a nice EP.

    At the end of the day though, Ariana likes the album, it helped her work through some things and her fans like it. That’s all that matters.    … Expand
  14. viniciuspotrich
    May 29, 2019
    7
    De sonoridade doce e agradável, Sweetener é um palco para Ariana mostrar seu talento vocal e compor canções sobre amor, ansiedade, bem-estar e superação.
  15. dsalomao1
    Aug 16, 2019
    10
    the best album of the year, for me she released everytime and goodnight n go as a single, but she didn't want to do what right
  16. ea_sergio24
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    This album is a beautiful experimental album, one of her top albums for sure
  17. Javisarceno
    Jun 8, 2019
    10
    Esto tiene demasiado arte en cada parte de sus canciones su primer single NTLTC es súper artistico y fue una forma impresionante forma de darle inicio a su nueva era, la amo.
  18. HeytonRar
    Jun 3, 2019
    1
    ESAS NO SON LETRAS! LOS RITMO NO SON DE MI AGRADO, DOS MÚSICAS COMERCIAL, EL HIP HOP UN POCO FLOJO, ELLA PUEDE CANTAR ABSOLUTAMENTE Y ES UNA DE LAS MEJORES EN ELLO Y DEBERÍA SER MÚSICA PARA SU TIPO DE VOZ FUERA GENIAL
  19. Tonipereira
    Jun 3, 2019
    8
    Um álbum bem construído, foge do pop que estávamos acostumados, o que causa certa estranheza, apesar de ter os hinos No Tears Left To Cry e God Is A Woman
  20. Luah
    Jun 3, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Não tenho muita coisa a dizer a respeito desse álbum. Apenas que a sonoridade não me agrada.… Expand
  21. Safiracoler
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    Pior album de todos, nao consigo nem ouvir 1% desse album, bomba, ariana ja foi melhor
  22. Caiaivan
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    Esse album ai nao da pra ouvir nem os segundos finais, lamentável para uma "artista"
  23. Biancasail
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    horrivel, simplesmente isso, horrivel, quando ela aprender afazer algo diferente, a gente conversa
  24. Suilisamen
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    Sei como descrever esse album, um lixo, fazer oq ne, não me surpreende vindo ne kkk
  25. asilam
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    It is SO bad, experimental music can be good but this isn't the case(sadly). Pharrell and Ariana don't fit and this album is the proof of that
  26. Isakjjs
    Jun 4, 2019
    0
    this album is so bad, all the songs sound absolutely the same, her fans believe that the album is art, when it really is not. shame to Ariana(
  27. logieeee
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    no skips what so ever such an amazing album, she’s amazing!! stop sleeping on this album!
  28. Harol
    Jun 5, 2019
    10
    Sweetener is one of her best body of work. Sweetener has amazing deep lyrics and its sounds are literally dreamy, this is an amazing album and deserves everything.
  29. 27112002lucas
    Jun 8, 2019
    10
    Você quer um álbum com conceito, então toma sweetener, não é atoa que é o meu álbum preferido dela
  30. calebg
    Jun 10, 2019
    1
    sweetener by ariana grande was nothing but a huge disappointment. i was expecting this excellent comeback but she ruined it. could have been so good
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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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