Positions＜Glow in the Dark Green Vinyl＞

Months before the February 2019 release of thank u, next, Ariana Grande told Billboard she wanted to "put out music in the way a rapper does," meaning that she didnt want to be beholden to the strict release schedule of a pop singer. She wanted to release singles and albums as quickly as she recorded them, a modus operandi that seemed sensible when she delivered an album as vibrant as thank u, next. Grande designed its swift sequel Positions as mood music -- specifically, its a soundtrack for long nights of sex. Positions is single-minded in its pursuit of carnality, an album devoted to Grande singing dirty over elastic, erotic slow jams. Her lyrics are often explicit, causing a slight tension with her vocals, which are always controlled and very rarely given to moments of sensuality; she never seems quite as carnal as the words shes singing. This cool, reserved vibe doesnt necessarily sabotage Grandes intent, as it does help maintain the mood. Such an intense, sustained focus does mean Positions succeeds in sounding sexy -- its meant to be sex music, nothing more, nothing less. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1年9か月ぶりの新作。今回もトミー・ブラウンに制作を委ね、盟友ヴィクトリア・モネイらと書いた曲をスウィートかつ清涼感のある声で歌うが、ロンドン・オン・ダ・トラックが関与した先行発表の表題曲などでフェミニストとしての姿勢を打ち出したリリックは気高くセクシーだ。足すと69になる"34+35"では本人も赤面するほどの官能をトラップ・ポップなサウンドに包んで歌い、共演曲でも、ドージャ・キャット、ウィークエンド、タイ・ダラー・サインそれぞれの個性に寄せながら力強さと愛らしさを行き来する。スコット・ストーチが手を貸したネオ・ソウル風の"My Hair"や70sフィリー・ソウルとUKガラージの合体的な"Love Language"は後半のハイライト。またも〈キャリア最高〉と言いたくなる充実作だ。
bounce (C)林剛