Ariana Grande - Sweetener [2 LP, Black Vinyl, Gatefold]

Ariana Grande pushed Sweetener beyond the polished pop framework of her earlier albums by pairing her layered vocal arrangements with R&B, trap, funk, and electronic production. Pharrell Williams handles a substantial part of the album, while Max Martin and Ilya contribute major pop songs. That split pairs Pharrell's drum programming with Martin and Ilya's large pop choruses, and Sweetener later won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album.

"No Tears Left to Cry" turns a dance-pop beat and stacked harmonies into a chorus built around a repeated vocal refrain, while "God Is a Woman" slows the pace with trap-influenced percussion and a vocal arrangement that builds toward a dense choir of Grande's own overdubbed parts. "Breathin" uses a steady electronic pulse beneath a melody that rises into its chorus. Pharrell-produced "R.E.M." takes a looser R&B route, pairing restrained percussion with close vocal layering and an unhurried groove.

Much of Sweetener deals with recovery, anxiety, relationships, and the effort to find optimism after difficult experiences. "Get Well Soon" addresses anxiety and emotional recovery, "Successful" turns self-confidence into a playful celebration, and "Better Off" considers leaving an unhealthy relationship. This edition is pressed as a 2LP black vinyl record and is housed in a gatefold jacket.

• Format: 2LP
• Standout tracks: No Tears Left to Cry, God Is a Woman, Breathin, R.E.M.
• Pressing details: Black Vinyl, Gatefold Jacket
• Genre/style: Pop, Contemporary R&B, Trap
• UPC: 602577005954

"The Light Is Coming" pairs Grande with Nicki Minaj over quick drums, synths, and a repeated spoken sample, while Missy Elliott appears on "Borderline." "Blazed" adds Pharrell Williams, giving Sweetener three guest collaborations within its 15-song tracklist.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Raindrops (An Angel Cried)
2. Blazed (Feat. Pharrell Williams)
3. The Light Is Coming (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
4. R.E.M.

Side B:

1. God Is A Woman
2. Sweetener
3. Successful

Side C:

1. Everytime
2. Breathin
3. No Tears Left To Cry
4. Borderline (Feat. Missy Elliott)

Side D:

1. Better Off
2. Goodnight N Go
3. Pete Davidson
4. Get Well Soon