On Friday, Ariana Grande's debut album, preceded by two top 40 singles, Yours Truly was released. How does the Nickelodeon star's album stack up in today's pop landscape? Find out after the jump in this track by track review.
Honeymoon Avenue- Honeymoon Avenue opens the album up with an orchestraic instrumental track quickly followed by an awkward robotic chorus that Ariana riffs over. The instrumental track then moves into a more modern, smooth, bass led beat. The uptempo song gives Ariana a chance to show off her versatility, as through out the song she switches off from pop vocals to R&B riffs on a dime. While not her best, the song is overall a fun pop R&B song, however, multiple times through out the five minute track the lyrics seem out of place, as if Ariana's trying to fit lyrics into a line that they shouldn't be in, overall giving the song an awkward feel.
Baby I- View my full Baby I review here.
Right There- Right There was the third single off the album, featuring rapper Big Sean. While as always Ariana's vocals are very powerful, this song is just a redux of The Way. While Big Sean does add some variety, overall the vocals, instruments, and even the riffs at the end of the song are very similar to The Way, and while it's ok as a standalone song, when included in the rest of the album it doesn't stand out as its own song.
Tattooed Heart- Tattooed Heart skips the uptempo, urban led instrumentals present in most of Ariana's songs, in favor for a much more down tempoed, symphonic feel. The 50's inspired instrumental track is complimented by Ariana's powerful vocals. In this song Grande focuses on the vocals, letting her powerful voice shine through. However, the song is over as quickly as it began, lasting only a few short minutes before we move onto the next track, Lovin' It.
Lovin' It- Wow. I'm Definitely Lovin' Lovin' It! Hahahaha get it... no? Ok. Lovin' It is a very uptempo urban song, featuring a bass heavy, smooth instrumental track coupled with a quick paced verse from Ariana, before the song picks up even more at the chorus. Overall this urban pop track is definitely one of the stand outs of the album, and I could see this on the radio any day.
Piano- Piano is the purest pop song off the entire album. The entire song is incredibly catchy, and the piano led instrumental track adds another level to this fun, light summer jam. Grande's vocals are incredibly fun and breezy, and every part of this song is definitely a sing a long, to the point where every verse could be the chorus. This song has everything we've heard from Ariana before, powerful Maria Carey-esque vocals, a great beat, and more. The jazz-pop beat compliments the great vocals and just vsdjklvmajfklsdmanfkmvlasf I can't even this song is epic. The only way this album could have gotten better was if it was just Piano 10 times.
Daydreamin- Immediately when I heard this song, it just captured me. I don't really know how to explain it in other words, but I just loved the soft yet powerful instrumentals, and Ariana's vocals in this song are just enchanting. Maybe it's just me, because I can't explain what it is about this song I love. But everything about this song just flows together in perfect harmony, making for a near flawless track.
The Way- View my full The Way review here.
You'll Never Know- You'll never know is another uptempoed song, featuring the most modern, urban instrumental track off the entire album. The song is an urban pop song, featuring plenty of hooks to sing along to. The song doesn't sound like anything off the album, and is definitely one of the more radio songs off the album.
Almost Is Never Enough- View my full Almost Is Never Enough review here.
Popular Song- The Popular Song is an already critically acclaimed song off of British singer Mika's 3rd studio album, The Origin of Love. As the song was originally his, I expected Ariana to change the song around a bit, as the song features much more of Mika than Ariana, however, the song doesn't change at all on Yours Truly, making it sound as if Ariana is featuring in her own song. However, the song is overall a fun, uptempo pop song that has been on repeat on my phone for the last few months. Just try to not get this song stuck in your head.
Better Left Unsaid- I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this track. It starts out as a down tempoed power ballad, but then quickly changes form, with the instrumental track becoming some sort of a dubstep track and the vocals become a more uptempo urban song. However, as quickly as that happens, it goes back into power ballad mode. wat. Like idk. The song is good but makes absolutely no sense at all. Basically Better Left Unsaid is a song that just punched itself in the face 10 times.
I had very high expectations for this album, and honestly, my expectations were blown out of the water. The album is near flawless, with almost every song being incredible. Another great plus of this album is the diversity of it. The album features pure pop songs, uptempo and downtempo R&B songs, and even ballads, there's a song for every mood, and besides one or two songs like Right There, no song sounds exactly like another. With a less than stellar opening and a clusterf*ck of an ending, the album exceeds almost everywhere, making it one of my favorite albums over 2013.
What do you guys think of Yours Truly? Post your review down below in the comments, and I'll see you guys next time!!
