Review: "thank u, next"
Ariana Grande dropped her fourth official album, Sweetener, on August 17th. It was a stylistic change, experimenting with newer pop sounds that deviated from her previous musicality. In particular, “God is a woman,” was the first single from the album that generated mass controversy. Grande shocked many for injecting a feminist perspective to describe traditionally masculine religious themes. The surrounding discourse helped make the song a huge success on the charts; it reached eighth in US Billboard and fourth in the US Mainstream Top 40. However, Grande was only getting started.
In November, Grande released “thank u, next” and three weeks later, an accompanying music video that garnered tremendous popularity on social media, amassing over 225 million views on Youtube and breaking the record for most views in 24 hours. The song struck a chord with audiences, as it inspired her most recent emotional performances. The Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, coupled with the death of former partner Mac Miller and her failed engagement with comedian Pete Davidson all contributed to a tough year for Grande, who went silent on social media after Miller’s death in September. It wasn’t until her appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show that she broke her silence, singing “thank u, next” as she held back tears. In “thank u next,” she pays tribute to Miller, saying, “Wish I could say, ‘Thank You’ to Malcolm / ‘Cause he was an angel.”
The song is a symbol of strength in light of her recent tragedies. Instead of being petty, Grande takes the high road and praises her exes as ultimately catalysts for her growth, partly attributing them for the strength to move on. After opening the song with references to Pete Davidson, Ricky X, and Mac Miller, the chorus epitomizes her overall message: “I’m so fuckin grateful for my ex / thank you, next”. The song topped several charts, including Billboard, iTunes, and Spotify.
The “thank u, next” music video became one of the biggest music video debuts in Youtube history for grossing over 45 million views within 24 hours. It featured the cast of her old show on Nickelodeon, Victorious, Matt Bennett (Robbie) and Elizabeth Gillies (Jade) recreating popular teen movie scenes. Jennifer Coolidge, who plays Paulette, made a special appearance to partake in the famous ‘bend and snap’ from Legally Blonde once again. Not only that, but Jonathan Bennett, who plays Aaron Samuel in Mean Girls, rejoined the squad, starring Ariana Grande as Regina George. Other movies featured in the video include 13 Going on 30 and Bring it On. While it’s unclear if Grande intended to correlate the song’s meaning to the video or cause a massive storm on the internet, it’s been a smash for fans nonetheless.
What’s next for Grande’s career is still up in the air. What is certain is that while it has been one of the most tumultuous years for her personal life, it has the been the best for her career, as she expressed at the American Music Awards. Her live performances have gone viral and she has dominated charts with hit singles this year. Grande, a celebrity pop star, seemingly disconnected from the life of an ordinary person, is still a symbol of feminism and strength for many women. Her songs are relatable for anyone who’s dealt with loss and love, and help empower thousands of women to recognize their strength.
by ANDREA REIER