Arianators have survived the three-year music drought. At last, Ariana Grande is here to resume her pop throne with the refreshingly nostalgic comeback single, “yes, and?” Produced by Max Martin—who worked with the 30-year-old’s My Everything and Dangerous Woman records—the new release sees a non-invasive sampling on Madonna’s house-influenced magnum opus “Vogue.”
Much like Beyoncé’s “BREAK MY SOUL,” Grande shimmies her way through “yes, and?” with uplifting, self-love sentiments and sweet vocal riffs. Although, the singer may have a dig for critics concerning new beau Ethan Slater. She sings, “Your business is yours, and mine is mine. Why do you care so much whose d*ck I ride?” For the most part though, Grande abstains from toxicity. Instead, she embraces saying, “that sh*t with your chest.”
In December 2023, Grande’s vocal coach leaked her surprise return to music in early 2024. The vocal diva then revealed her single and its red-lipped cover art. She seemingly confirmed via Instagram that her seventh studio album and its name—Eternal Sunshine. The album title is based on the award-winning film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet and Kristen Dunst. An official date for Grande’s upcoming album has yet to be announced.
The “Thank U Next” singer took a much-needed hiatus from music following her sixth album, positions (2021). She chose to focus on her Forma Brands-owned cosmetics line, R.E.M. Beauty. Apart from her surprise appearance on The Weeknd’s “Die For You (Remix),” much of Grande’s 2023 headlines centered around her blonde hair, dyed for her dream role of Galinda in the film adaptation of the Broadway classic Wicked, starring alongside the Tony-winning Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple.)
The film’s first part will theatrically release on November 27, 2024, with the second act coming in 2025.
In other pop news, 4th gen K-pop group ITZY have released their third studio album, BORN TO BE.
