We certainly get moments of frustration and hurt, but Grande spends much of the record singing about love. It leaves you wondering: can love be the one thing that grows through death?

Ariana Grande—”Petal”

It's surprising to see that Ariana Grande still has energy for music after working on the Wicked movies. There was actually a time when Ariana Grande posted an Instagram Story saying she was putting everything that wasn't Wicked on pause. It was exciting news when she announced she was going on tour, but fans couldn't have expected a new album, too. Maybe you can't always take everything Grande says at face value.

Of course, being a celebrity at Grande's level comes with its own set of implications. It's no secret that she came under intense scrutiny following her alleged relationship with her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater. The two have since broken up and Grande has been rumored to have rekindled her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, according to TMZ. The heat surrounding Grande's current appearance has become a major topic of discussion as well. Go anywhere online and you'll find people speculating about her health and whether she has an eating disorder. Grande addressed the comments herself in 2023 asking people to be more mindful about making assumptions about someone's body and explaining that the version of herself fans often praised was actually one of the unhealthiest periods of her life. Eventually the weight of the internet starts to crack even the strongest people. That’s where “Petal” comes in.

During the exclusive Apple Music pop up-radio for “Petal” Grande explained that the album explored her relationship with rage and the process of embracing emotions she had not always allowed herself to express.

“It pulls from many different parts of myself and yet, at the same time, it is very experimental and different for me,” she said. “I wrote from a place that I don’t usually, which was like an unfiltered rage that I think we all feel sometimes.”

But does that rage actually come through sonically? The lyrics would suggest so.

The opening track "Kiss Me" kicks off with a wonderful intro that transitions into a record scratch before bursting into a grand synth moment. The song feels like a do-or-die moment where Grande begs her muse to kiss her before it's all through. This one holds one of the album's best melodies.

The title track, which is the newest single accompanied by a supposed graphic TV-MA music video, features fantastic production. Grande actually finds a really nice footing with this song. “Long as she gets the ovation each night/heartbreak won’t bite, this is paradise,” she sings. You see Grande grappling with a situation that can definitely be interpreted in different ways. Her fame and adoration allow her to fall gracefully though.

"Big Feelings" finds Grande embracing the sensual energy that defined moments of “Sweetener” and “Positions.” Really, this is a song that captures Grande at her core and reflects the qualities that helped lift her up the ladder of fame. Never mind this being one of the catchier songs on the record. "Like I Do" starts off with a subtle siren moment from Grande that transforms into a background element throughout the song. This song follows the same path as "Big Feelings.”

The album's most fun and possibly strongest moment is "Bad Thing (Bunny Hop).” The song thrives on its polished production and a melody that feels like it is moving without restraint. If anything, Grande should push this song immediately as the next single. The song ends with the same bubbly synth texture heard on "Hate That I Made You Love Me."

“Nowhere, Nobody” closes out the album and brings the "rage" to a close. It's hard to say there is actual rage intertwined throughout this album. We certainly get moments of frustration and hurt, but Grande spends much of the record singing about love. It leaves you wondering: can love be the one thing that grows through death? Honestly, it's a compelling question. We think it might be true.

Wolf Alice—”Hammond Song”

The band released another B-side from "The Clearing." There is something really compelling about Wolf Alice's intonation—it brushes against country but remains rooted in an alternative warmth. The song is a nearly six-minute endeavor of The Roches original track that feels incredibly hearty.

Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez, Becky G—”Te Olvido”

Benny Blanco's real strength is getting Selena Gomez into the studio. This song is from his upcoming record "Hermoso." It's a total Spanish song that feels pretty laid back but still gives Gomez a great moment to shine. Some of her best moments truly come through when she sings in Spanish. We still think "Revelación" was an amazing EP from Gomez and a territory she could explore further through a full-length album.

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—Dawson Therre

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