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. godisawoman
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is the perfect mix of pop and R&B. The album has a very special massage, where she sings about her anxiety and honouring the victims of the Manchester attack in May 2017. The album consists of powerful bops such as ”no tears left to cry” and ”breathin”. Nothing can go wrong when one of the worlds most famous music artists collaborates with top producer Pharrell. This masterpieceSweetener is the perfect mix of pop and R&B. The album has a very special massage, where she sings about her anxiety and honouring the victims of the Manchester attack in May 2017. The album consists of powerful bops such as ”no tears left to cry” and ”breathin”. Nothing can go wrong when one of the worlds most famous music artists collaborates with top producer Pharrell. This masterpiece is really different from her previous albums and is definitiely worth a listen.… Expand
  2. Pandlr
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    sem dúvidas é o trabalho mais diferente da Ariana, ao contrário de seus álbuns anteriores, Sweetener explora outro lado da voz dela, literalmente algo mais "sweet". Grande com este álbum assume riscos em sua carreira ao unir-se com Pharrell Williams que vem de um vasto histórico de canções "fora de sincronia" do que está fazendo sucesso hoje em dia, explorando outras formas, como porsem dúvidas é o trabalho mais diferente da Ariana, ao contrário de seus álbuns anteriores, Sweetener explora outro lado da voz dela, literalmente algo mais "sweet". Grande com este álbum assume riscos em sua carreira ao unir-se com Pharrell Williams que vem de um vasto histórico de canções "fora de sincronia" do que está fazendo sucesso hoje em dia, explorando outras formas, como por exemplo em the light is coming que é totalmente diferente do que está no topo dos charts hoje em dia… Expand
  3. onelastbocas
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    this album is perfection . it shows her artistic growth and how she is switching up her sound for the better . i was slightly unsure wether i’d like it as much as i like her pop music but this album is 10x better than her 3 previous albums . go listen to it , it’s a major grower if you didn’t lkle it from the start (how could you not like it tho)
  4. grandesbenefit
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    its a 10/10, the vocals are amazing and the album explores new genres. It's so different from what we're used to.
  5. Cauaavn
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana,fez a mistura perfeita com o Pop e R&B e com um pouquinho de adoçante! Uma coisa inovadora,que nunca havia visto numa pop teen
  6. Lopesito27
    Sep 16, 2018
    7
    Definitely accomplishes it's sweet premise, but it disappoints considering Ariana's trajectory. Many tracks on this album offer a well-produced and well-written sweet mature tracks but it also has tracks with average writing and messy production that make really hard for the listener to be able to enjoy the first listens and some others just don't do enough to differentiate from an averageDefinitely accomplishes it's sweet premise, but it disappoints considering Ariana's trajectory. Many tracks on this album offer a well-produced and well-written sweet mature tracks but it also has tracks with average writing and messy production that make really hard for the listener to be able to enjoy the first listens and some others just don't do enough to differentiate from an average pop radio song.… Expand
  7. darlan
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    I loved the album, the sweet Ari really knows how to make good songs like breathin and everytime, i just feel that the features songs don't belong the album. but is the most personal ariana's album so far
  8. Ybag
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    this album is so different and in a good way i love it it's nothing like her previous work a masterpiece
  9. Legendarianagra
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    this is her most meaningful album she poured her heart and soul into this album this is her best album every single song has such a deep and heartfelt meanings to them you can feel every feeling she feels. such a great album she doesn't deserve all the hate shes receiving y'all just don't know good taste and miss ariana grande is the queen of pop and ya'll just need to get over it andthis is her most meaningful album she poured her heart and soul into this album this is her best album every single song has such a deep and heartfelt meanings to them you can feel every feeling she feels. such a great album she doesn't deserve all the hate shes receiving y'all just don't know good taste and miss ariana grande is the queen of pop and ya'll just need to get over it and accept it because shes going nowhere with those powerful vocals bye bye now buy and stream sweetener… Expand
  10. remsus
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana really delivered her best album yet! It’s so refreshing to see her break away from her usual sound and try something new and it certainly paid off! Full of bops like Breathin, Everytime & the title track, truly one of the best albums of 2018 so far
  11. ashinysam
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This album is so powerful & fun . Its a mixture of r&b and pop which is why i love it more ! and also this has different flavours to it . Every song is so unique and beautiful in their own ways . Considering this as one of her BEST album ever :)
  12. godissacake
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Esse álbum da Ariana com certeza veio pra salvar o pop! Um trabalho totalmente diferente dos que ela já fez antes. Inovador e esplendido.
  13. rosuxx
    Sep 15, 2019
    7
    revoltante porque é um álbum sem meios termos... metade das músicas são impecáveis e a outra metade horríveis. funcionaria melhor como um ep de 7 faixas.
  14. bluefeeling
    Jun 1, 2021
    10
    Favorite album yet by her!! she experimented so much with her sound and pharrell definitely was the producer she needed to help her get out of her shell. Going from pop anthems like "No tears left to cry" "God is a woman" "breathin" "everytime" to dreamy mid-tempo songs "get well soon" "better off" "r.e.m" to the sultry 2000s r&b inspired banger "borderline"
  15. rodolphoville
    Aug 24, 2019
    10
    OMG OMG OMG! THE PERFECT COMEBACK! EVERYTIME WAS SCREAMING TO BE A SINGLE!! Love it
  16. brianjohnson
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    All songs are great! No skips! It deserved the grammy it got.
  17. PocCritc
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    Um doce escape dos problemas reais para um mundo feliz, doce e provocante.
    Com vocais incríveis, composições suaves e uma sonoridade experimental, a já consolidada estrela pop consegue adoçar a vida de todos e mostrar mais uma vez seu incrível talento em um álbum inesperado porém magnífico
  18. sammyanthony
    Aug 20, 2018
    7
    Brave move from Ariana to work with Pharrell. Her vocal still on point in several tracks, and Pharrell gave many spectrum track by track, giving different taste, even though he already boasted those tunes not long ago (in Pharrell's previous project). For the impact, Ariana redeemed her vocal for the sake of production, and in return, we reminded how good her vocal is, compared to theBrave move from Ariana to work with Pharrell. Her vocal still on point in several tracks, and Pharrell gave many spectrum track by track, giving different taste, even though he already boasted those tunes not long ago (in Pharrell's previous project). For the impact, Ariana redeemed her vocal for the sake of production, and in return, we reminded how good her vocal is, compared to the low-key sound she gave in some tracks like Sweetener and The Light is Coming.… Expand
  19. braydenbutera
    Aug 17, 2018
    9
    Ariana Grande stuns on her forth studio album. whether it be discussing bad love, anxiety, or her soon-to be husband, she delivers in several different ways, whether it be through production, vocals, lyricism, or the general vibe.
  20. mlaredoperez
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Many were waiting for a Break free 2.0 and an album full of bublegum pop bangers , but it's clear Ariana is over that. This album goes 100% personal , it's all about her and not about trying to follow trends. Most of Pharrell's productions work, they sound fresh , diffrerent. Others such as Blazed could have a more dynamic production and a stronger hook. In Get Well soon Ariana show herMany were waiting for a Break free 2.0 and an album full of bublegum pop bangers , but it's clear Ariana is over that. This album goes 100% personal , it's all about her and not about trying to follow trends. Most of Pharrell's productions work, they sound fresh , diffrerent. Others such as Blazed could have a more dynamic production and a stronger hook. In Get Well soon Ariana show her soulful roots mixed with a jazzy production & Trap elements While she sings her best lyrics to date . However on Breathing, Everytime, No tears, God is a woman & Borderline (& low-key successful) Ariana sings the catchiest hooks surrounded by a wonderful production.
    This album is 100% non formulaic , personal , fresh and deserved to be her best.
    10/10    … Expand
  21. brunoxcx
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    One of the best albums released in 2018, the most authentic and brilliant album by Ariana Grande, all tracks are amazing, except for "the light is coming" this is the only bad thing in this album.
  22. gilbertonogara
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Ariana Grande inovou saindo totalmente de sua zona de conforto, buscando novos ritmos, conceitos, harmonias e melodias. O #sweetener é impecável, intimista, único, inovador, coeso e de extrema maturidade. Esse álbum provou que ariana não vai se prender a apenas um ritmo tradicionalmente genérico.
  23. irrodriigues
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    people was waiting a "dangerous woman 2" so they're disappointed but this is album is so powerful and different and Mrs. Grande will come to world to say how to treat the pain and sadness with overcoming and love.
  24. twilightgrandes
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This is by far Ariana's most personal and experimental album. She is pushing the boundary and expectations of what people think they can expect from her. These R&B inspired tracks give a bright glimpse into the future of Grande's work.
  25. Emah
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Depression? Cured. Skin? Cleared. Wig? Snatched. Hoo? Boo.
    Ariana gave us a masterpiece we didn't deserve. Our little girl is now a woman.
  26. Dllucas
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O album em si é muito coeso, trás uma Ariana muito madura tanto pessoalmente como vocalmente. Sua voz é como açúcar em destino de melhorar sua vida. Grande interpreta uma voz poderosa e confiante capaz de te deixar mais louco e apaixonado por ela.… Expand
  27. Swifrtie12_
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    princesa do pop e do r&bvhdhdhdjjsjhhhjjjhhhjiiikkkmmmmmnnnnnjjjjjjjjjjkkkkk
  28. Anne051Anne0510
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Nice Album. Talent singer! Beautiful voice! It is real cool music!!! Love Ariana Grande! Pretty girt!
  29. iamluiz
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    her best album to date. filled with amazing songs, great production and vocals. definitely worth a grammy.
  30. bekas
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Sweetener is one of Ariana’s best pieces of work so far. It really distinguishes itself from the others in consistency and how it has a defined sonority, something I believe Ariana hasn’t done so well in other albums - while Ariana achieved to prove her versatility in her first three albums, I appreciate the fact this one Sweetener has a defined sonority, as stated. It is also more matureSweetener is one of Ariana’s best pieces of work so far. It really distinguishes itself from the others in consistency and how it has a defined sonority, something I believe Ariana hasn’t done so well in other albums - while Ariana achieved to prove her versatility in her first three albums, I appreciate the fact this one Sweetener has a defined sonority, as stated. It is also more mature than ever as we get a big chunk of Ariana’s persona, struggles and achievements. One of best albums to come out so far this year, for sure!… Expand
prev
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 »