Review Summary: One of the better albums of 2014 pushes Ariana in a more "mature" direction and leaves us excited for 2016.
Overview
Ariana Grande's second LP "My Everything" was an important record for her; this was released just as her last Nickelodeon show "Sam and Cat" was slowly coming to an end and everybody was expecting a sequel to her unexpectedly outstanding, 90's inspired debut "Yours Truly". So with that in mind, how does the album stand up a year after its release? Here's a retrospective track by track review:
Intro
This track is nothing more than 80 seconds of Ariana promising a lover that they'll "be shining every night" while she reaches high notes just to remind the listener why she is different to all the other Nickelodeon/Disney graduates. For an intro, this track is actually worth listening to, even if it's just to hear Ariana coo.
Problem
The irresistible earworm that has been played to death on the radio, "Problem" showcases what Ariana's voice excels at: retro-infused music. An rap verse by Iggy Azalea introduces the rapper to the world just as her single "Fancy" slowly but surely took over the airways made the up-and-coming rapper a household name and Big Sean shows up to whisper just what's on Ariana's mind: she'll have "one less problem without you" heartbreaker.
One Last Time
If "Problem" is a reminder of what made Ariana famous in the first place, then "One Last Time" is Ariana ushering in a new sonic age. This effort however is disappointingly generic and Ariana is nearly devoid of a personality on this track as her voice is uncharacteristically restrained until the very last chorus which is still unmemorable. EDM flavourings try to give this mid-tempo ballad a personality but just ends up confusing the listener as to what to class the song as. This just didn't wow me as much as the other tracks did.
Why Try
The things that I stated about "One Last Time" could be said about "Why Try": on the surface, it seems like a generic, bland mid-tempo number that could easily slot on any female's singer album (in fact, it could be Ariana's Halo). However, for some reason, this track seemed to struck a chord with me and the last chorus is breathtaking as Ariana effortlessly soars through her vocal range therefore giving this track a brand new lease of life. This is everything "One Last Time" tried to be.
Break Free
This number allows Ariana to fully reach her potential on the dance floor as she belts high note after high note declaring how she's escaped the clutches of a terrible ex-lover. But I think that it's also a very subtle dig at Nickelodeon, or perhaps a dig at the classic transition that most female Disney/Nick star goes through in which they turn into a confident sex siren: "this is the part where I break free cause I can't resist it no more". That line speaks for itself and it gives this post breakup jam a newly found depth that transcends the dance floor that this track is made for.
Best Mistake
Just when this album was soaring and soaring, it lands with a thud yet again. Ariana sounds just plain bored on this track and Big Sean's mediocre rap verse does no good either. You can safely skip the track knowing you're not missing out on much.
Be My Baby
The same issues that infected the previous track also affects this track; mid-tempo ballads just aren't Ariana's strength as she can't sing with emotion on most of the slower tracks.
Break Your Heart Right Back
This is the track that resuscitates the album and adds life back into it. A clunky sample of "I'm Coming Out" and an unfortunate rap verse aside, this track has a unique theme twist that you'll have to hear for yourself. That in itself gives the track a newfound appeal but give the track credit for sounding like a throwback.
Love Me Harder
A duet with "The Weeknd", this track finds Ariana finally completely ditching her innocent "Cat" persona and turning into a lusty lover in one of the more explicit tracks of the album. They both describe lip-biting and moaning in what is one of the most erotic tracks Ariana has done ever. But the overall theme is saddening: while it is true that sexual compatibility can help secure a healthy, long-term relationship, sex doesn't necessarily have to be the deciding factor and that's the mistake that this track makes.
Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart
Another ballad that paints Ariana to be a total fool: this Harry Styles co-write finds her playing a cheated woman that decides to simply stay with her man instead of having clear and respectful communication with him about her boundaries. She hides her feelings about the situation in this shocking track that not even her voice can save.
Hands On Me
One of my most favourite tracks on the record, "Hands On Me" is about intercourse and boy does it completely erase Victorious from our minds. A musical mashup of "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea and "Talk That Talk" by Rihanna, Ariana and ASAP Ferg talk about the joys of having sex in graphic detail and a section before the final chorus shows Ariana doing some Mariah style adlibs and isn't it a delight! The perfect song to twerk to or the confidence booster you need to grind up on a complete stranger in the club.
My Everything
This track sounds like the intro but talks about the end of a relationship. It's a beautiful way to end the album and showcases how powerful Ariana's voice is when the music is stripped to the basics.
Conclusion
This second record is Ariana's transition one. It doesn't have the grand ambition of Stripped but it certainly has the talent of Mariah Carey and finally shows us that Ariana is a force to be reckoned with.
My Highlights
Problem
Break Free
Love Me Harder
Hands On Me
