Republic Records
Release Date: August 25th 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Ariana Grande– Yours Truly (Tenth Anniversary Edition) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Honeymoon Avenue
- Baby I
- Right There feat. Big Sean
- Tattooed Heart
- Lovin’ It
- Piano
- Daydreamin’
- The Way feat. Mac Miller
- You’ll Never Know
- Almost Is Never Enough with Nathan Sykes from The Wanted
- Popular Song with Mika
- Better Left Unsaid
- The Way (feat. Mac Miller Spanglish Version)
- Honeymoon Avenue (Live from London)
- Daydreamin’ (Live from London)
- Baby I (Live from London)
- Tattooed Heart (Live from London)
- Right There feat. Big Sean (Live from London)
- The Way feat. Mac Miller (Live from London)
Ariana Grande is probably one of the biggest pop stars right now on the planet. She doesn’t really sing about things that I’m concerned about (what with me being a single white male in my 30’s!); but her influence can’t be denied. I didn’t write about her in Jon’s and my blog series out of principle due to the content that she was singing about that I personally didn’t agree with; but by and large, her stardom can be agreed upon by almost everyone, me included. With many studio albums (6 I think!) charting to the top of the pop charts at various stages of her career; the latest project Eternal Sunshine released this year. I’m in two minds whether to review this project or not; but while I sit on that fact and ruminate over it for the next few months, I will say that I am excited for Ariana and her acting and singing performance in the musical film Wicked, to release at the end of 2024. Her performance in that film might make me a fan of her music (the jury’s still out though, considering the attention she’s been getting recently in her personal life!); but while we wait with abated breath for the iconic adaptation of one of the most prolific musicals ever; how about let’s quickly gloss over Ariana’s deluxe edition of her 2013 album Yours Truly?
It’s been just over 10 years since Ariana’s debut, and many years since she burst onto the scene and smashing records left, right and centre. “The Way”, “Baby I”, “Right There” and “Popular Song” were hits back in the day, and still are musically, vocally and lyrically impressive right now; while the live in London tracks on this 10 year deluxe edition create a certain depth and intimacy and vulnerability that highlight and accentuate Ariana’s songwriting ability and ability to engage a crowd. If you’re not a fan of Ariana’s music (like I wasn’t), then this album and deluxe edition might sway you just a bit. Ariana’s voice is objectively incredible and out of this world- and even though I don’t agree with what she is singing about on the whole right now; there’s still no denying the gift she has in her craft of singing and songwriting and performing. To be fair Ariana Grande may not be your cup of tea, and that’s fine. But I reckon let’s give this project a spin. I mean, what do you have to lose? Well done Ariana, now isn’t it time for a full length Christmas album?
5 songs to listen to: Baby I, Right There, Piano, The Way, Popular Song
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha, Selena Gomez, Sabrina Carpenter