Ariana Grande's Positions Has A Song For Every Mood
By Ashley Oken
Ariana Grande’s rather anticipated sixth studio album,
Positions, dropped today (October 30) and is full of the empowering and relatable bops we expect from the pop princess. An R&B-influenced follow-up to her February 2019 album
Thank U, Next,
Positions finds Grande confidently and happily singing of healing through new love. Second song “34+35,” as an example, finds her candidly embracing her sexuality with her partner in a way she hadn’t in previous songs, while “Obvious” is a celebration of how newfound, unexpected love can be both freeing and comforting.
She first
announced the new era of music through the Twitter on October 14 by telling fans of an album release at the end of the month, and she teased the LP up until release day by posting the
tracklist, where collaborations with Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and Ty Dolla Sign would be spotted. Grande also dropped the
fierce feminist video for “Positions,” featuring outfits inspired by Hillary Clinton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jackie Kennedy, each of those standing as a reminder that ladies can be smart, powerful, and sexy. Right now that it’s here, it’s clear that
Positions is a personalized album and that Ariana’s music is suited to soundtrack every moment of life.
If you’re wondering which track you have got to listen to based on your current mood, we broke it all down for you. You could thank us later.
"Shut Up"
Listen to it once you’re feeling: like a boss
Key lyric: “How you be using your time / You be so worried about mine”
Writing this for her haters, Ariana shows us all how to casually tell our haters to quit it. This song can be played for anyone who speaks to you before your morning coffee.
"34+35"
Listen to it whenever you’re feeling: amorous
Key lyric: “Can you stay up all night / Fuck me ‘til the daylight”
Her most sexually uncensored song to date, Ariana makes no bones about wanting sex with her beau all of the time over a frisky backbeat. This song is an excellent bedroom tune for that Netflix and chill time with your own partner — something she nods to by singing, “Watching movies, however we ain't seeing a thing tonight.”
"Motive" (ft. Doja Cat)
Listen to it as soon as you’re feeling: thoughtful
Key lyric: “Before I lead you on / Tell me what’s your motive”
In this ‘90s-inspired teamwork, Grande wonders whether she’s moving also fast with someone while
Doja Cat wonders what this new love’s motivations are, confidently asserting that she needs a “real bona fide” and asking whether they “want a trophy or hope to sport me, baby.” This song will have you checking out that virtual date twice more, reminding you to think before rushing a new relationship.
"Just Like Magic"
Listen to it once you’re feeling: confident
Key lyric: “I get everything I want ‘cause I attract it”
Grande manifests positivity and self confidence in this sweet song, which will fill you with confidence before nerve-wracking big life events.
"Off the Table" (ft. The Weeknd)
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: heartbroken
Key lyric: “Never thought you’d be so hard to replace”
With a “
Love Me Harder” reference from
The Weekend and the reliability of Grande’s crooning about going through a breakup that she’s had to heal from, all of the correct notes are hit here. This song speaks to feeling like you’ll never find love again immediately after losing it.
"Six Thirty"
Listen to it as soon as you’re feeling: unsure
Key lyric: “When I’m old and stuck, will you still have a crush?”
Over an ethereal beat complete with string flourishes, Grande wants her partner to stay by her side because she might “lose it” later on. This song reminds all of us that we deserve love without consideration of our flaws.
"Safety Net" (ft. Ty Dolla Sign)
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: unprepared
Key lyric: “I came to peace with my past / Right now you got me off track”
This group effort finds Grande tripping over her new love and reminds us that love can be unexpected and healing. To that end,
Ty Dolla Sign delivers a potent recipe for reconciliation: “Wе hit that jewelry store and wе gon' ball out / Some days we have some fallouts / Put some ice on you, girl, let it thaw out.”
"My Hair"
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: generous
Key lyric: “Usually don’t let people touch it, however tonight you get a pass”
Singing about letting her man touch her
very prominent hair, Grande relaxes the rules around her beau. This slinky, nocturnal, and slightly jazzy song reinforces the required for others to ask permission to touch any part — and the exhilaration that comes with giving consent.
"Nasty"
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: spicy
Key lyric: “Boy, you know the vibes / Take what’s on your mind, make it real life”
Sounding like a nastier version of “
The Way,” Grande doesn’t shy away from wanting to get freaky with her partner. Complete with some ghostly whistle notes up front, this song reminds you that your relationship can be spicy, even in quarantine.
"West Side"
Listen to it once you’re feeling: irresistible
Key lyric: “I’m gonna be your new favorite”
Grande sings of being all her love could want and giving him things to look forward to: “Tell ‘em you closing the door, I’m the only for sure” and “Let me keep it real. Just let me be in your life like that.” This song reminds us that there really are constantly things to look forward to in life.
"Love Language"
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: loved
Key lyric: “Been a minute since I had something so sweet”
In this more mature version of “
Honeymoon Avenue,” Grande sings of feeling loved physically and emotionally. As this peppy and retro song recognizes real love, Ari lets us all in on how to speak directly to her heart.
"Positions"
Listen to it any time you’re feeling: empowered
Key lyric: “Cooking in the kitchen and I’m in the bedroom / I’m in the Olympics, way I’m runnin’ through hoops”
Grande has never been shy about her feminism, and this song (and its accompanying video, where she spends plenty of time in the Oval Office) is an ode to ladies occupying any position powerfully. Fierce and strong, this song reminds us that females can shatter expectations and nickname any role with grace.
"Obvious"
Listen to it once you’re feeling: blissfully in love
Key lyric: “Never thought I’d believe in love again”
A reminder of how priceless love is, this happy track is certainly a song that can be played at weddings. Grande shows that unexpected love can feel scary, nevertheless it could prove to be just what we needed.
"POV"
Listen to it as soon as you’re feeling: vulnerable
Key lyric: “I wanna love me / The way you love me”
In the stunning closer, Grande sings of wanting to be able to see herself as her partner does. Singing, “All my baggage fading safely,” Grande shows us that she’s healing, growing, and attempting to love herself along the way.
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