‘Positions’ Ariana Grande
Last Friday our modern queen of pop, Ariana Grande, released her third studio album in two years.
Grande’s last two albums came to life through the experiences of her break-ups, post-relationship life and trauma — Positions feels like a boss’ story to piecing her world back together.
The underlying theme reveals itself in the first track of the album “shut up.” Ariana preaches that:
“All them demons helped me see shit differently so don't be sad for me.”
This record serves as a self-healing manifesto; shutting down haters and reinforcing positive messages like watching your words, thoughts and actions. Ari is learning to trust again after heartbreak and a PTSD diagnosis.
While “shut up” sets the tone for Ariana as the protagonist, completely empowered by her decisions and unwavered by the people trying to bring her down, the track is a lyrical deviation from the others on the record.
Sex is truly the center stage in Positions, which is probably my favorite thing about this album.
None of the tracks transformed Ari’s sound like her past work has done, but the new position (pun intended) this album takes is the unapologetic exchange of innuendos for straight-up “fuck me” lyrics. Literally saying “fuck me til the daylight” in the hook of “34+35.”
We love women who are empowered about their sexuality. Positions is a feminist gospel. Ari serves as the main character in a story for any woman who may be in love and has the desire to express intimacy with someone she hopes will stick around for the long haul.
BUT if not, she always has herself, which is all she really needs.
Speaking of empowerment, the “positions” music video is set in the White House; each scene depicts a diverse, mostly-female staff confidently led by President Ariana.
Positions is filled with bops, I would start with my favorites:
“just like magic”
“off the table (with The Weeknd)”
“six thirty”
“34+35”
“love language”
“positions”
Rating: 7/10
Written by Nati Hazday, Edited by Emma Barsky