CD Review: Music to match the mood

A little music can make a big difference.

Republic Records cover art

A little music can make a big difference.

Ariana Grande’s CD Sweetener was released by the Republic record label just over a year ago, on August 17, 2018. While this is Ariana Grande’s album, it also features harmonies by Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams and Missy Elliot.

There is plenty to enjoy on this album. It’s not too long, but it is also not super short. Sweetener isn’t as serious or sad as one would expect it to be. Ariana Grande talks about her own success in “successful” and expresses a bit of anxiety in “ breathin,” just two of the twelve tracks on the CD. The song “everytime’’ is a bit of self-reflection.

Sweetener has a similar tone to her past albums and she continues to express different feelings in the different songs. The lyrics, however, can be rather explicit and the album is not for the faint of heart.