Ariana Grande's last album My Everything was the moment she transformed from Nickelodeon actress to a chart-topping international superstar.
But with that extra attention came bundles of criticism. How has that affected Ari? Well according to new album Dangerous Woman, she's feeling pretty unapologetic about it all, actually.
The star's third studio album hears her refining her sound between twinkle-eyed ballads and ballsy bangers, tying it all together with her undeniably incredible vocals. Here's our track-by-track review of her biggest album yet.
1. 'MOONLIGHT'
Ariana Grande eases you into her third studio album with this '50s-inspired sway, which blossoms with its dainty string plucks and romantic violins. But despite the twinkly production, which sounds like it was composed amongst the fluffy clouds in the sky, this isn't reflective of what's to come. Consider this Sandy Dee's soaring ballad before she sexes it up with the black leggings.
2. 'DANGEROUS WOMAN'
When it comes to Ariana Grande's third studio album, things don't get more slinky than lead single and title track 'Dangerous Woman'. The singer's angelic vocals almost sound too pure over the seductive guitar line and prowling beat, which threatens to blindfold you and tie up your wrists within one listen. It's all very 50 Shades of Grande.
3. 'BE ALRIGHT'
Ariana's breathy ad-libs glide over this deep house cut perfectly, as we're all given a second for our heartbeats to slow down after 'Dangerous Woman'. 'Be Alright' is subtly epic, by not feeling pumped to Ibiza proportions, but transporting you to a more mellowed state of euphoria. It's definitely one of our favourites.
4. 'INTO YOU'
The magnificent 'Break Free' proved Ariana knew her way around a big pop banger back in 2014, so you'll be pleased to hear she carries on that knack on 'Into You'. There's a thudding club beat, lurking synths and sharp clicks, but it's that airy chorus, built up bigger than her ponytail, that really hits the spot. We also like to think the lyric "A little less conversation, and a little more touch my body" is a reference to both Elvis and Mariah.
5. 'SIDE TO SIDE' ft. NICKI MINAJ
Just you try not to bounce along to 'Side to Side'. We dare you. It's a hypnotic reggae-pop number which hears Ariana making "deals with the devil", and will have you following suit. Naturally, Nicki Minaj steps in with her island rhythm to coin the brand new phrase "dick bicycle". Give it three months and we'll all be using it. #DickBicycle.
6. 'LET ME LOVE YOU' ft. LIL WAYNE
'Let Me Love You' hears Ariana after she's just broken up with her ex. At this point, she's just chilling and "looking for love" while she's lying on some hunk's chest. We don't like to presume, but we're going to go out on a limb and conclude that she's just had a one-night stand. The darker, sexier, and slower production certainly suggests this is a song for the early hours, rather than a romantic dinner for two.
7. 'GREEDY'
Get the blow dryer ready because Ariana needs big hair for this number. 'Greedy' is a shiny disco-pop number with a groove so infectious the World Health Organisation would have good grounds to label it an epidemic. And there's good reason for that, because the moral of this story is that Ariana has caught all the feels for her new boyfriend and she wants more, more, more. In all honesty, so do we.
8. 'LEAVE ME LONELY' ft. MACY GRAY
In terms of unexpected collaborations in 2016, this team-up will rank well up there. Macy Gray is back and she sounds great on this soulful epic, which hears their voices work surprisingly well together. Given Ariana's clear vocal and Macy Gray's raspy tone, it had the danger of coming across a bit Night Before vs. Morning After. But in reality it's a stirring '60s-inspired sway with a cautionary tale of "dangerous love".
9. 'EVERYDAY' ft. FUTURE
Ariana seriously can't get over how much she likes this guy, by the way. "Anytime I'm alone, I can't help thinking about you," she starts on 'Everyday' which flourishes into an R&B-pop production of tinned beats, swirling synths and what sounds like an Auto-tuned chainsaw for added texture. But it's the repetitive refrain of "Everyday, everyday, everyday" that fundamentally burns itself into your brain.
10. 'SOMETIMES'
This is the first time on the album that we get a little glimpse of the old Ariana. That's in terms of the crisp, R&B production and understated melody which reveals its full charm on repeated listens, much like the material from her debut record Yours Truly. It's easily one of the most chilled moments on Dangerous Woman.
11. 'I DON'T CARE'
'I Don't Care' mixes old Hollywood strings and brass with sultry R&B. However, as nice as it sounds with Ariana's breathy vocals helping her shake off former insecurities, it's the first forgettable song on Dangerous Woman. Maybe it needs more time to sink in, but ultimately it feels like it doesn't really go anywhere and never will.
12. 'BAD DECISIONS'
Now we're back on track! This jumpy hip-pop number hears Ari trilling out those lyrics with more sass than an episode of Drag Race. "We got that hood love, we got that good love," she tells her bae on the playful chorus, which will have you bopping around like you own everything within a three-mile radius. It's possibly not single-worthy, but we can definitely see this becoming a fan favourite.
13. 'TOUCH IT'
How is this album still producing bangers 13 tracks in? 'Touch It' hears Ariana in that awful place where she's consumed by unrequited love. But all that emotion and desire is funnelled into a glorious chorus that hears her voice soar over a scuzzy bassline that whips up more drama than a telenovela. All the wind machines in the world wouldn't do it justice.
14. 'NOBODY LIKE ME / FOREVER BOY'
Oh, it's gone all sour again. "I can see right through you boy," Ari reveals on the R&B-flavoured 'Nobody Like Me' which is all very nice, but then is immediately upstaged by the much more interesting deep house of 'Forever Boy'. It's a shame the latter isn't a track of its own because the Balearic beats and loved-up lyrics make it one of the most glowing cuts on the record.
15. 'THINKING BOUT YOU'
It's the Grande Finale so what better opportunity for Ari to really let those vocals fly. 'Thinking Bout You' is as airy as they come, with a thudding kick beat and an almost celestial production leaving Dangerous Woman quite literally on a high - even if it does essentially end on the note 'Relationship Status: It's complicated'.
IN CONCLUSION...
Dangerous Woman obviously suffered from some missteps during its early stages (you'll notice there's no 'Focus' amongst the tracklist), but Ariana has ultimately pulled together a consistent collection that impressively manages to keep your attention over 15 tracks.
The pint-sized popstar (she really is minuscule) has made effective use of her triple threat ability by bringing together her knack for seductive balladry, dancefloor-filling pop anthems and some '90s R&B throwback for one almighty third album. Ariana Venti might not have the same ring to it, but there's no denying America's biggest pop princess just scaled up.
