Etcetera OG ✎ COMPLETE

; ariana grande "thank u, next" album review

It's been so long since I've done a first listen review, so guess what we're doing today, folks.

Hi, it's been a minute. It's late and I don't feel like rambling right now, so you know the drill. The only songs I've heard before tonight are the three that were pre-released. I haven't even heard the snippet of "needy" that circulated at some point. Just "thank u, next," "imagine," and "7 rings."

Here's to hoping this is better than Sweetener.

01: IMAGINE - 10/10

When I first heard this song, I enjoyed it immediately. I wasn't blown away the way I was with "thank u, next" initially, but it grew on me the little it had to to become one of my go-to listens on car rides currently. While the whistle notes are impressive and all, I really think the star of this show is the lyrics in the verses. Like, they're no Brendon Urie or Lin Manuel Miranda-penned poetry obviously, but they remind me of "Goodnight N Go" (which, yes I know Ariana didn't pen - apart from the first verse) with the cutesy story. It's relatable in that way, and that's what I love most about it. Favorite lyric: Knew you were perfect / after the first kiss / took a deep breath like "Hoo!"

02: NEEDY - 8/10

I wonder if this one will grow on me. I enjoy it and I love the lyrics, but I do think it's lacking a little. I wish the instrumental changed at pretty much any point throughout the song before the very end. I needed just a little bit more oomph from it to really, genuinely love it. But until it grows on me fully, I can definitely appreciate the lyrical content. Everybody has been so excited for this song, and I think it won't disappoint those who'll relate to it most. Favorite lyric: Sorry if I'm up and down a lot / Sorry that I think I'm not enough

03: NASA - 9.5/10

Okay I really like this one. I'm laughing though, because in the chorus when she says "Give you the whole world," it sounds like she's doing her Celine Dion voice and I can't stop giggling about it. That aside, something I really love about the concept of this song is how it's not typically done? You hear a lot of music about longing and wanting to constantly be with your significant other. Even on Sweetener, Ariana sang about this kind of thing. But this song is like, "Look - love you, but I wanna chill by myself tonight. See you tomorrow? Cool." And it rationalizes it in a really nice and healthy way. I'm super pro this song, even if I laugh a little every time she says "Give you the whole world." Favorite lyric: Baby I can't really miss you if I'm with you / And when I miss you it'll change the way I kiss you

04: BLOODLINE - 8.5/10

I like this more than I thought I would when the music kicked in. Something in the instrumental reminds me a little of "Side to Side," but really the songs themselves aren't that similar. Anyway, if I'm understanding this all correctly, I believe this track is about someone she's hooking up with who kind of wants something more or thinks they'd be good for her, but she's saying no because she's already complete on her own. My favorite part is definitely the bridge - I love the tune there, and I love the lyrics. My least favorite part is probably the pre-chorus. I don't like the nasally way her voice sounds there, but it's really a small thing to dislike. Overall, I enjoy the song a lot. Favorite lyric: I know what you're looking for but I'm complete

05: FAKE SMILE - 9.5/10

I'm really sad now so that's cool. Okay, I have a lot of thoughts about this one but I'll try to be concise. First of all, beginning the song with "After laughter comes tears" is rude because that's exactly how I felt transitioning from "bloodline" to this. There's a darkness in the tune of the verses, and I loved that immediately. I really like the way this is produced, but once again, the true star here is the lyrics. They're what made me so sad. It makes me sad that she's trying to be honest about how she feels and still feels like she has to remind us that she's genuinely grateful for her fans and her successes as if she's not allowed to feel both grateful and exhausted/sad. I hope she gets to a place where she doesn't feel like she has to justify anything and live her truth. Favorite lyric: Can somebody walk me to my car? / If I go alone I'm not gon' make it very far