Continuing her story of lyrical and personal evolution, American singer Ariana Grande released her sixth studio album titled Positions on October 30, 2020. Released by Republic Records label, the 14-track album is filled with smooth flowing rhythms and lyrics on love and intimacy.

This recently released album has its chill vibe and notable guest collaborations with American singer Doja Cat, Canadian singer The Weeknd, and American singer-songwriter Ty Dolla $ign.

Positions opens with “Shut Up,” a song with a dramatic array of strings directed towards Grande’s haters. The pre-chorus says it plain and clear: “How you been spending your time? How? How you be using your tongue? How? You be so worried 'bout mine. Mine. Can't even get yourself none. You know you sound so dumb. So dumb, so dumb. You know you sound so dumb. So dumb.”

Meanwhile, the song “Positions” has topped the charts, ranking first on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of Nov. 7.  This makes Grande the first artist to have five consecutive number one singles debut at the top of the charts.

Grande does not shy away from using her music to tackle controversial topics, so the amount of thirst energy found within this album isn’t all too surprising. 

Back to the slow melodies

With Positions, Grande simultaneously moved forward and looked back; returning to her theatrical and R&B roots, as opposed to the heavy synths of her previous album, thank u, next. 

This album marks Grande’s intimate growth by taking her power and stepping away from the images of the diva. From “Shut Up,” the album veers to a different direction with tracks like “34+35,” “Nasty,” and “Positions.” 

With tracks like “Just Like Magic,” Grande celebrates self-empowerment and where she is at this point in her life, singing “Good karma, my aesthetic. Aesthetic. Keep my conscience clear, that's why I'm so magnetic. Manifest it. Yeah., I finessed it. I finessed it. Take my pen and write some love letters to Heaven. “

Aside from celebrating her accomplishments, these tracks chronicled the aftermath of traumatic experiences. “Off the Table” (ft. The Weeknd) talks about the cautious approach of falling in love anew; with the looming fear of having to let their walls down, or being unable to love the way they once did. 

In “Love Language” (ft. Doja Cat) Grande sings the lines, “Why would I double back or do the same thing twice? A question, something that I can't deny. Leavе my baggage at the door, I'll claim you mine. All minе,” mixed with its sweet beat pops that reflect Grande’s relationship with boyfriend Dalton Gomez.

Supplementary recommendations

• “Motive” —  A tentative step towards opening up to someone new. This track deals with the excitement that is tinged with suspicion at someone that seems too good to be true. This total bop isn’t accusatory, by any means, but rather, somewhat speculative, reminding listeners to look out for a motive. “You treat me like gold, baby. Now you wanna spoil me. Did you want a trophy or you wanna sport me, baby?”
• “Six Thirty” — Serving as the album’s sixth track, Grande lays all the ‘what ifs’ put on the table. The song’s lyrics are almost a challenge with two possible outcomes, whether to stay or to go. “I just wonder, baby, if you're gonna stay. Even if, one day, I lose it and go crazy.”
• “POV” — This is an ode to self-love and growth. With this last track, Grande explores the way that someone is seen from the eyes of someone who truly loves them, and the hope that one day, they too can see themselves in the same light. “I wanna love me. The way that you love me, for all of my pretty and all of my ugly too. I'd love to see me from your point of view.”

Positions album gives listeners fragments of Grande’s story. However, as the music flowed, it felt just a tad bit lacking. With its consistent chill vibe, it almost felt as though listeners were held back from a clear climax track.

Rating: 3.5/5