This past Friday, May 20, Ariana Grande released her much anticipated third studio album "Dangerous Woman." For many months, Grande has been teasing fans via Twitter and Snapchat with snippets from songs and possible pictures of cover art. She has even made several pop up performances focused on her new music which only left fans (myself included) on edge, religiously living by their countdown to the release date. As a major fan of Ariana Grande, I figured I'd try my best to review "Dangerous Woman" and narrow it down to the highlight tracks (besides blatantly saying all 15 are fantastic) for all the fans out there.
The Breakout Songs: Dangerous Woman & Bad Decisions
Dangerous Woman:
"Somethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous woman
Somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout you
Makes me wanna do things that I shouldn't"
Naturally, this song has to be listed as a breakout song for Ariana. This track was dropped several weeks ago in order to promote the record. From what I gathered on social media, many fans were pleased with the direction and progression of Ariana's sound on this song. Between the sound, lyrics, and music video for this song, people can see that Ariana Grande is no longer sweet, silly, and timid Cat Valentine (the role she is famous for on Nickelodeon's TV shows Victorious and Sam & Cat), but a sexy super star.
Bad Decisions:
"Don't you know I ain't f*cking with them good boys?
Know you love me like ain't nobody here, boy
If you want it, boy, you got it
Ain't you ever seen a princess be a bad b*tch?"
Here, Ariana actually addresses her infamous image as a "princess." Of course, every girl loves to be recognized as a princess, or a queen for that matter. However, in this song, Ariana makes it known that just because she seems like a princess on the outside, doesn't mean that's who she wants to be. There's a whole different part of her on the inside that is dying to come out. This record really captures the new image she is trying to portray to the world.
The Favorite Song: Let Me Love You (feat. Lil Wayne)
"I just broke up with my ex
Now I'm out here single, I don't really know what's next
But I ain't even trippin', I'mma chill and sit back
And I know they will be coming from the right and the left, left, left"
As predicted by Ariana herself, Let Me Love You seems to be the song fans are most hype about. This song has a great tune to flow along with the lyrics. It's one of those songs that makes you feel empowered and as if you're living right inside a music video. Although pretty explicit, Lil Wayne also lays it down pretty hard and kills his verse in this song.
The Dance Party Song: Into You
"So baby, come light me up and maybe I'll let you on it
A little bit dangerous, but baby, that's how I want it
A little less conversation, and a little more touch my body
Cause I'm so into you, into you, into you"
With a back track like this, it is hard to sit still. Into You is a fantastic bop to dance around to, especially if you're in the car. Everyone has those songs that they play in order to channel their inner diva, and Into You definitely makes that cut. This song is perfectly crafted to please a listener's ears.
The Heart-breaker Song: Leave Me Lonely (feat. Macy Gray)
"So when you walk out that door
Don't you come back no more
My heart has had enough of the give and take
And as much as I want you to stay
You're a dangerous love"
In this song, the duo sings of what it is like to have to give up a relationship or overall love for someone who is toxic. I think that this is something almost everyone can relate to, which is probably why fans are fawning over this song. This song is sung beautifully by both women, ultimately leaving it as the heartbreak song on Dangerous Woman. Every record needs one, right?
The Anthem Song: Greedy
"Baby, you got lucky cause you're rocking with the best
And I'm greedy
Cause I'm so greedy
I ain't talking money, I'm just physically obsessed"
This song starts in probably the best way possible, a beautiful, harmonized shriek of the word "greedy." As a competely different sound for Ariana, this song really captures the Broadway loving side of her. No other song on the album makes you want to put on a big pair of sunglasses, line your lips with some lipstick, and parade around like the queen that you are like Greedy.
The Hidden Gem: Moonlight
"He knows just what it does
When he's holding me tight
And he calls me 'Moonlight' too"
Despite being the first track of the album, Moonlight is definitely the hidden gem of Dangerous Woman. This song has the classic "Ariana" vibe and sound to it with the use of harmonizing and whistle tones. As a super fan, I can correctly provide the information that this record was originally supposed to be titled Moonlight. This insinuates how important this song is to Ariana, for even though it did not make the title, it still made the track list. I don't know what it is about this song, but it's just so endearing. It really makes you feel something when you listen to it. The power of love, man. It makes for a great ballad.
Purchase Dangerous Woman on iTunes or on Ariana Grande's web store.
