Pitchfork Gave Ariana Grande's petal 6.5 Score

[RAMROD 117,068]

 

Never has that been more apparent than on petal, the star’s eighth studio album and her first to release via her own imprint, BabyDoll Music, as a subsidiary of Republic. The record’s grainy black-and-white cover shows her with her hair—usually scraped back in her trademark ponytail, or lately a bun, another kind of disguise—loose and scattered over her laughing face. The photographic promise of the star in an easy, lighthearted mode is borne out by a clutch of songs that drift by for the most part in that dreamy, gossamer-like higher vocal, more of a whisper than her signature belt. Written almost entirely with one collaborator, Swedish producer Ilya Salmanzadeh (with the exception of hitmaker Max Martin, who graces three tracks) the album has an intimate, experimental feel. But with songwriting that often lacks the urgency and precision of her best, Grande herself feels elusive within it.
 

These rage-fuelled songs are what Grande might have been pointing toward when she described this record as being “a little feral.” But on the whole, rather than a dramatic departure, petal feels fairly constrained and, occasionally, like a tame reimagining of her older work. Downtempo crooner “big feelings” is like a defanged “Dangerous Woman,” with a hook that doesn’t stand up to so much repetition, and an ending that arrives too abruptly. “never get over me,” with its sassy distorted guitar riff and slow-rolling funk, sounds vaguely as though 2014’s “Problem” was shot with a tranquilizer dart.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ariana-grande-petal/

[Magic Mike 2,770]

To be fair it feels correct  

[Auralegends 8,912]

The album is not for me, feels like a snoozefest

[waterfall 943]

I’m trying to decide this…

cuz most the songs were dark/haunting but where there multiple genres/sounds?

Cuz there was a jack & swing song and then another indie rock song etc new genres for ari ig 

[dollardays 4,201]

Peestool

[DopeEnigma 1,782]

It is rather boring unfortunately, was waiting for it to get a bit more interesting lyrically and production wise but sadly it didn’t. It’s a choice. 

[ALGAYDO 35,129]

I liked a handful of the songs, but I didn’t LOVE them, and the rest were forgettable at best. Idk what’s going on with her, but I feel like she lost her love for music. I get the feeling that she’s way more interested in being an actor rn vs a pop star. Which is fine, you do you gurl. But at least don’t release mid Shít in the meantime lol 

Edited Friday at 09:22 AM by ALGAYDO

[princedeeblebleble 3,646]

After the first listen, I'd have to agree. Idk her vocals are oddly layered or recorded, like she sang through a vent or faar away from the mic. Production of the songs themselves are nice but i don't like the mixing. Maybe listening in a calmer setting than a bus will be better. But yea, a good 7 on initial listening. 

[princedeeblebleble 3,646]

46 minutes ago, ALGAYDO said:

I liked a handful of the songs, but I didn’t LOVE them, and the rest were forgettable at best. Idk what’s going on with her, but I feel like she lost her love for music. I get the feeling that she’s way more interested in being an actor rn vs a pop star. Which is fine, you do you gurl. But at least don’t release mid Shít in the meantime lol 

I feel like she didn't give herself enough time for it. She could have ended the current tour, chill a bit and work on the songs a bit more and then release it. It feel underbaked.

[Pandauralife 989]

I like that she went in a newish direction, but there's NO variety on this album. 85% of the songs sound the same to me. 

[pachinko 10,755]

Ariana has lost her shine and luster. Poor girl. 

[BrB 279]

Eternal sunshine is a masterpiece, I discovered it in a rough time and it helped me a lot, so I might be biased.

But after a first listen, this one is just, not it ... it is a bit all over the place. 

I love the instrumentals a lot though, so I might give it a few more listens before making a final evaluation.

Edited Friday at 02:16 PM by BrB

[dubstep111 772]

The album is not good.