Music Review: Ariana Grande's New Single "yes, and?"
Ariana Grande has heard the gossip and she's asking her critics "yes, and?"
Forge Music Critic, Harry Oblio
Ariana Grande's newest single, "yes, and?" makes a splash, arriving amidst a flurry of excitement and high expectations. In a career marked by chart topping hits and tribulations played out in the public eye, Grande has continually adapted and changed her sound; commanding muscular vocals belted out over a four-octave range, short clipped rapping, and spritish dance anthems radiating with vivacity and confidence. Spanning songs like the infectious hook of "thank u, next,” the rawness of "Ghostin" or the subtly controlled "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored". Her latest track, the lead single from her upcoming seventh album, sees her exploring new territory while retaining elements of her signature sound.
Unlike many of her contemporaries Grande knows the value of transparency and humor. Keeping a chatty and confessional presence on social media her songs don’t make cryptic allusions to her life but clear references. On “Thank U, Next,” the title track opens with a rundown of her former relationships, including the rapper Big Sean, the dancer Ricky Alvarez, Davidson, and Mac Miller:
Thought I’d end up with Sean
But he wasn’t a match
Wrote some songs about Ricky
Now I listen and laugh
Even almost got married
And for Pete, I’m so thankful
Wish I could say, “Thank you” to Malcolm
’Cause he was an angel.
With a life that has lately been in the headlines, over her divorce and subsequent on set romance with Wicked costar Ethan Slater, Grande continues in this transparent vein. She addresses recent news stories about her personal life throwing acerbic lyrics at her critics.
Of course, Grande doesn't mention this gossip explicitly. Instead, she cheekily references the drama throughout, with a biting bridge that recites; “Don't comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose d*ck I ride?”
In the second verse, too, Grande casually dismisses opinions of her; “Now, I'm so done with caring / What you think, no, I won't hide / Underneath your own projections / Or change my most authentic life.”
The compelling chorus only cements this sentiment, with Grande challenging detractors to “say that shit with your chest,” and reminding herself to “be your own f*ckin' best friend” and “keep moving like, ‘what's next?’ / ‘yes, and?’”
Grande's response to the scrutiny over her personal life isn't to offer explanations or apologies. Instead, she floats on the dance floor in an ebullient rebuttal reminiscent of the 1980s and inspired by Madonna’s “Vogue” and Paula Abdul’s “Cold Hearted.” With an irresistible opening and beat throughout this song is perfect for house parties, carnality, driving with the windows down and any other time you want to shake off the noise of the censorious hoi polloi and embrace the joy of living unapologetically.