Why Sweetener is One of the Greatest Pop Albums of Our Time

Ariana Grande’s Sweetener is one of the greatest pop albums of our time. As a pop music enthusiast, that’s not something I say lightly. Obviously, I know how many in the older generation feel about pop. They brush it aside with the preemptive belief it’s vapid and unoriginal. But this album, lyrically and sonically, separates itself from all of the other pop albums of this decade.

Ariana Grande's fourth studio album was released on August 17, 2018, and it immediately soared to number 1 on the Billboard 200 Hundred album charts. Upon release, this album was perfect from front to back: not one miss, not one skip. Pop perfection. The first track “raindrops (an angel cried)” acts as an overture of sorts. Ariana’s gorgeous acapella vocals croon a rendition of Hal Miller and The Rays’ “An Angel Cried.” This sets the tone for the light, ethereal atmosphere of the album. But that’s just the beginning.

Throughout the album, Ariana explores many phases of pop and R&B, furthering her distinct sound. She incorporates quirky instrumentals and melodic vocals to pull together a distinguishable piece of work that stands alone against the rest of her discography. Artist and producer, Pharrell, contributes to many of the more adventurous songs on the album. The first song blazed, is a happy ode to the diversity of love. This song embodies the celebratory tone of the album.

We cannot discuss Sweetener without mentioning “God is a woman.” The second promotional single was released in July, a month before the album release. Arguably her best single and undeniably her best music video, Ariana embodies a progressive feminist message while serenating her lover. This sweet, sexy bop is one of the most impactful pop songs of our time. Ariana’s lyrical wordplay, using religion as an inuendo for sex, makes this song a diamond in the rough of pop singles. A brave, and eventually controversial, moment in pop culture, “God is a woman” stands strong as one of the defining songs of our generation. 

The angelic vocals and the dreamlike ambience of the album define this era in Ariana’s career. She brings lighthearted pop songs and heart wrenching tales of mental health struggles. This album blends musical diversity and adversity in the most touching way.

Every time I listen to the album, I am left speechless. I feel drowned in the weight of the subject matter. I feel immersed in Ariana’s struggles. While Sweetener is a musically incredible piece of work, that is not what set it apart. The emotional impact of the LP is what distinguishes it. The gut wrenching soul of the music separates the project from anything else. That, ladies and gentlemen, is why Sweetener is one of the greatest pop albums of our time.

By Sawyer Sugarman