Music

Thank U, Next got two seats out of the top-10 list. One is imagine, the other is needy. I do hate overly simple songs: cloying melodies consisted of banal, unimaginative motifs and too-obvious intentions are absolutely unforgivable. Referring the words of a professor’s architecture appreciation course I’ve taken two years ago, “sometimes overly obvious ‘signs’ or too straightforward expressions, despite appealing, are degrading for art.” BUT —- despite having shallow melodies (that one can literally anticipate the whole song after hearing the first few bars), needy sits on top of the list being simplicitly expressive and truthful. The song is about insecurities–of one’s attachment, obsession and struggle in a relationship–that Ariana Grande sang out in subjective tense, right out of the lyrics: ...

As the opening track of Ariana Grande’s tumultuous album Thank U, Next, “imagine” sets the tone with mesmerizing minimalism. Listen here. This official music video of imagine features mosaiced icebergs melting to fall. The song gives an impression of a breathtakingly beautiful abstract painting, when one looks more carefully, there is so much pain tangled within. Imagine is an absolute masterpiece that particularly, adds depth to the album’s artistry. It employs a steady triple meter and firm beats to elegantly propel the flow forward. The pre-chorus builds momentum with a gentle crescendo and chord progression. In the chorus, following the lyric “imagine a world like that,” which Ariana sings with extreme fortissimo and strength, the song falls into silence as if the question remains unanswered. It embodies “a simple, beautiful love that is now (and forever) unattainable,” serving as an unresolved plea for a fragmented, unrealistic dream. ...

Listen to get well soon on YouTube for the official audio release or the unreleased vide available on Bilibili) Get well soon (stylized in all lowercase) is the fifteenth and final track from Ariana Grande’s fourth studio album, Sweetener. The track is 5 minutes and 22 seconds long, paying respect to the Manchester bombing attack at Ariana’s concert on the 22nd of May 2017. There’s 40 seconds of silence at the end of the track, to commemorate those who lost their lives during the attack. ...

In the musical Hamilton (2015), in the song Satisfied, the rap verse, Angelica sang three reasons, literally “number one/two/three, …blah blah” to illustrate why she loved but cannot marry Alexander Hamilton and she backed up for her sister. It was possibly the most unimaginatively boring lyrics ever written. That is to say, when it comes to music, aside from serious discuss of production quality, vocal techniques or more general analysis, sometimes what matters most is appeals and feelings. There are basically two kinds of ‘favourite’ for a song. One is that you are able to name numerous reasons, that the song is an artistic marvel, topping the chart, being experimental etc.. Another version of favourite is that some song somehow becomes the go-to song on top of one’s mind. When I was picking out the top-k songs, compared to the ones that swing around the borderline that it takes a minute to decide whether it falls above or below the threshold, goodnight n go was picked directly out of the pool and stuffed into the second place among my all-time favourites. ...

Listen here: Ariana Grande, “Sweetener” The title track of Ariana Grande’s fourth studio album “sweetener” (stylized in all lowercase) the pivotal nomination in my top-10 Ariana Grande list. This album, Sweetener, won Grande a Grammy. The artist herself has elucidated the essence of the album’s title, suggesting it’s an ode to the act of illuminating one’s existence or circumstances, metaphorically “sweetening” life’s myriad challenges: it’s kind of about bringing light to a situation or to someone’s life or somebody else brings light to your life. Sweetening the situation. ...

One, two three… c’om, girls! Focus is an Ariana Grande single yet it doesn’t belong to any of her studio albums: The song was originally released as the lead single from Grande’s third studio album, titled Moonlight at the time. As the album’s concept changed and its title renamed to become Dangerous Woman, the song was removed from the main track list, including the standard and deluxe versions. In this process, “Dangerous Woman” replaced “Focus” as the lead single. ...

Two songs from Ariana Grande’s debut album Yours Truly hold a special place in my heart, and they’ve earned their spots in my top 10 list. The first is “The Way”, and the other is “Tattooed Heart”. While “The Way” was an immediate hit upon release, “Tattooed Heart” gained recognition more gradually, especially after Grande performed it frequently in her later career, notably during her Sweetener World Tour. The setlist of the Sweetener World Tour was strategically divided into three sections. The first section featured upbeat, fast-tempo hits perfect for stage performances, such as “God Is A Woman” and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored.” The second section transitioned into a more intimate and emotional chapter, showcasing songs like “needy” and “sweetener,” and culminating with “Tattooed Heart.” During this performance, Grande sang at the center of the venue, beneath an artificial moon, creating a captivating atmosphere. ...

The countdown is on: just ten days until the release of Ariana Grande’s seventh album, Eternal Sunshine. As a tribute to my favorite artist’s new musical chapter and to alleviate the recent turmoil of work, I’m dedicating a ten-day series on my blog to my top ten personal Ariana Grande songs. My musical preferences have subtly evolved over time. Songs that once seemed mundane or whose acclaim puzzled me have, with time, revealed their allure. This transformation echoes a perspective shared by a friend: “If a celebrated work’s acclaim seems unwarranted, it’s likely you were not its intended audience—at least, not yet.” ...

Today is YuanXiao Festival, the first full moon of the year of the Dragon. “I saw the moonlight today. What reason should I make up so as to bring it to you?” It reminded me of Moonlight by Ariana Grande from her third album Dangerous Woman. It’s just an elegant, gorgeous love ballad. According to Ariana Grande’s Wiki: Victoria Monét (Grande’s producer-slash-bestie) said “[‘Moonlight’,] that’s what Ricky [Alvarez, Grande’s boyfriend then] called her one night. I think it was after their first kiss. He waited to kiss her for a long time, and she was really impressed. He’s such a gentleman, and the song is a great little bookmark of the start of their relationship.” ...

“I know that all the shits’ fabricated” – breathin Ariana Grande’s “breathin,” the ninth track from her 2018 album Sweetener, stands as a quintessential pop anthem. Despite its conventional ABABCB song structure and the use of familiar chord progressions and motifs, the track has resonated deeply with a broad audience, many of whom regard it as a highlight of the album. While the song’s pop sensibilities might seem overly straightforward to some, its lyrical depth and the uplifting nature of its theme offer a surprising layer of relatability. Ariana Grande herself described “breathin” as an intimate reflection on her personal struggles with anxiety. I was surprised at how reflective it is just to feel being seen out of a vexed situation. This aspect of the song has, on occasion, provided me with a sense of encouragement during moments of anxiety. ...