50 Years, 50 Albums (2019): Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande

I will turn 50 in November of this year, so my project for 2023 will be to listen to and review one album from each year of my life, 1973 to 2022.  The only qualification is that it has to be an album I’ve not reviewed previously. 

2019

Top Grossing Albums of 2019:

1. Lover – Taylor Swift
2. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
3. Happiness Begins  – Jonas Brothers
4. Fine Line – Harry Styles
5. A Star is Born: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Grammy Award for Album of the Year of 2019:

• When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
• I, I – Bon Iver
• Norman Fucking Rockwell! – Lana Del Rey
• Thank U, Next – Ariana Grande
• I Used to Know Her – H.E.R.
• 7 – Lil Nas X
• Cuz I Love You  – Lizzo
• Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend

Other Albums I’ve Reviewed from 2019:

• Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center
• Reward – Cate Le Bon
• There Existed an Addiction to Blood – clipping.
• Crush – Floating Points
• Close it Quietly – Frankie Cosmos
• Growing Up Live – Peter Gabriel
• Keepsake  – Hatchie
• Absolute Zero – Bruce Hornsby
• Gnomes & Badgers – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
• Fongola – Kokoko!
• The Best of Luck Club  – Alex Lahey
• On the Line – Jenny Lewis
• The Competition – Lower Dens
• What Will We Do – Lula Wiles
• Deserted – Mekons
• There is Another World – Peter Mulvey
• In the Morse Code of Brake Lights – The New Pornographers
• Cut & Stitch – Petrol Girls
• The Seduction of Kansas – Priests
• Originals – Prince
• Freya Ridings – Freya Ridings
• Crush on Me – Sir Babygirl
• Encore – The Specials
• Western Stars – Bruce Springsteen
• The New Normal – STL GLD
• Remind Me Tomorrow – Sharon Van Etten

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Album: thank u, next
Artist: Ariana Grande
Release Date: February 8, 2019
Label: Republic
Favorite Tracks:

• NASA
• make up
• 7 rings
• thank u, next

Thoughts:

When I get to more recent years in the 50 Years project when I was actively reviewing albums at the time, I find myself pushed more outside my typical musical tastes.  Ariana Grande always struck me as a kindhearted and levelheaded person for a pop star, and this album is well-regarded.  I like Grande’s voice, and while the trap elements don’t interest me, they’re fortunately moderated by synthpop, dance, and even reggae influences.  Definitely not an album for me, but you know, it’s still pretty good.

Rating: ***