Serendipity 7,821 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Robbie Daw — 4/10I can forgive a pop song for lacking a hook — and let’s be clear, all involved could have “focused” a little harder on a better chorus… or any chorus at all — but the main pre-chorus melody here was much better when it was recorded by KC And The Sunshine Band as “That’s The Way (I Like It)” some 35 years ago. What direction does Ariana Grande want to be going at this point in her career? That’s not quite clear. One would have hoped, three albums in, there would be something deeper up her sleeve than “Focus” is offering. We shall see.Bianca Gracie — 5/10Ariana Grande has been teasing “Focus” for what seems to be eternity, but based on the endless snippets I knew it wasn’t going to live up to the hype. Today the song and video are out in full, and as predicted I’m not blown away.The song ticks off every box of what Ariana is known for. Melodic vocals? Check. A throwback vibe that may or may not be derived from a ’70s disco band? Check. A bumping brass section? Check. Sassy lyrics about a boy? Check.There is nothing exciting or innovative about this single, which is a shame since it is the first taste we’re getting from her upcoming third album. I played “Focus” three times in a row, and I’m still trying to figure out if that pseudo-funky non-chorus is an actual chorus. The tune is simply boring and is another reminder that pop has been generally mediocre (save for a couple of gems) this year.Lastly, can Scooter Braun please invest in a good vocal coach for Ariana? The talent is obviously there but I’m getting tired of trying to translate her mumbled tunes. And a quick note for producers everywhere: Let’s throw away all horn instruments before 2016 arrives.Mike Wass — 6/10The problem with Ariana Grande is that she can’t sing. While most marble-mouthed divas have the decency to stay in their lane, Ari insists on torturing our ears with vocal runs that are only intelligible to dolphins. The fact that she’s promoted as this generation’s power vocalist is a) delusional and b) a sad indictment of how low the bar has fallen since the glory days of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. That takes us to “Focus.” I preferred the song when it was released in 2014 with an Iggy Azalea feature, but it’s catchy enough. All the elements of a modern pop hit are here. Layers of hooks, sassy lyrics (when you can understand them) and the now-omnipresent horns. Ariana has a strong personality when she’s not pretending to be America’s sweetheart. I just wish she could convey that through her music instead of opting for the safest route possible. http://www.idolator.com/7613370/pop-perspective-ariana-grande-focus-reviewed-rated-idolator-editors I would give it a 7 or 8 honestly tho See talent here-->http://bit.ly/2eqeUxK Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GloZell Green 11,723 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Ouch Lady Gaga | Shakira Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEWRJEWR 5,663 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 they were generous though Fear, she's the mother of violence Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURUSHITOVSKA 20,442 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 flopus ¿Qué currículum tiene ésta tarántula? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
venusian 4,686 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 i give it a -10/10 WELCOME TO THE TRAGIC KINGDOM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Candy 3,970 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 buy 'Paper or Plastic' by Brooke candy on iTunes NOW!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,298 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 I'd give it a 3. They're being polite. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
President Biden 5,898 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 If she had Bey sing the chorus it be 10/10 I got drunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlitos 99 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Who cares? The song is a bop and doing well on iTunes, so slay Ari Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runway 27,876 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 I thought ariana would be the one pop girl to last Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desperado 2,439 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Who cares? The song is a bop and doing well on iTunes, so slay Ari its not doing really well lol its being blocked by a week old song which already sold 1M lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveandMagic 1,731 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 It seems a lot of people are coming for her. Are other reviews like this? Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show. I should really just relax." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiuga 1,938 Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 4/10 from me. I for one don't like her screechy voice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGGrayson 9,670 Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Mike Wass — 6/10The problem with Ariana Grande is that she can’t sing. While most marble-mouthed divas have the decency to stay in their lane, Ari insists on torturing our ears with vocal runs that are only intelligible to dolphins. The fact that she’s promoted as this generation’s power vocalist is a) delusional and b) a sad indictment of how low the bar has fallen since the glory days of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. omg 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗴𝗮 • 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲 • 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲-𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿 • 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade 5,603 Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 The last one was quite rude but I see where he's coming from. I love Ariana but let's be real, the song is the ugly little sister of Problem and it's a shame that it is the LEAD single of her third album..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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