Does her discography lack that real pop substance that defines the icon? For me her discography lacks a Like A Prayer, Bad Romance, or BOMT to really put her up there with the icons. When I think about it this is a problem with all the ex acts in general. Their output lacks that something extra that makes a pop song part of the cultural canon. Ariana's albums also feel so similar to me. Whereas I wouldn't mistake Gimme More as being from early Britney or Hung Up as being early Madonna. 

No, you're just bias towards other pop stars. 7 rings wouldn't fit on Yours Truly, ME, DW, or ES. God is a woman wouldn't fit on Yours Truly or ME. DW (song) wouldn't make sense on Yours Truly or ME. 34+35 wouldn't make sense on any album pre-Sweetener, etc etc. 

 

If you think all her albums sound the same of give similar vibes you aren't listening or paying attention. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Tm4074 said:

No, you're just bias towards other pop stars. 7 rings wouldn't fit on Yours Truly, ME, DW, or ES. God is a woman wouldn't fit on Yours Truly or ME. DW (song) wouldn't make sense on Yours Truly or ME. 34+35 wouldn't make sense on any album pre-Sweetener, etc etc. 

 

If you think all her albums sound the same of give similar vibes you aren't listening or paying attention. 

 

 

I'm not saying they all sound the same but their just seems to be a lack of substance

The fact that you typed this out and 'Into You' which is one of the best pop songs ever crafted is sitting right there. Let's also talk about her collaborations with The Weeknd that always seem to go at least top 10 if not number 1. 

 

The beauty of an artist like Ariana is she has the ability to craft pop hits, however the beauty of her discography is actually listening to the albums. It sounds as though you're basing chart performance and song impact to determine how essential her discography is to music.

1 minute ago, mons†er said:

The fact that you typed this out and 'Into You' which is one of the best pop songs ever crafted is sitting right there. Let's also talk about her collaborations with The Weeknd that always seem to go at least top 10 if not number 1. 

 

The beauty of an artist like Ariana is she has the ability to craft pop hits, however the beauty of her discography is actually listening to the albums. It sounds as though you're basing chart performance and song impact to determine how essential her discography is to music.

Into You feels like it could've been sung by like… any ex act even if it is a good song. 

Edited October 24, 20241 yr by GraceRandolph

1 minute ago, GraceRandolph said:

I'm not saying they all sound the same but their just seems to be a lack of substance

What does that even mean? How does BOMT and Bad Romance have substance but Ariana's songs don't? 

1 minute ago, GraceRandolph said:

Into You feels like it could've been sung by like… any ex act even if it is a good song. 

Can't wait for Selena's version of Into You since any ex-act can do it just as well according to your logic. 

You can apply this to any artist you don't listen to. I don't find Taylor Swift's songs essential, yet many other people do. This is something that cannot be judged as all people have a natural self-bias to what they like and enjoy

Just now, Tm4074 said:

What does that even mean? How does BOMT and Bad Romance have substance but Ariana's songs don't? 

Bad Romance has lyrics that Taylor Swift would never write, BOMT and Gimme More are quintessentially Britney in delivery, Blank Space wouldn't make sense coming from Christina Aguilera. Into You could be sung by a girl group or ex act and still be a great song but what about it is distinctly Ariana?

Just now, LustSpell said:

You can apply this to any artist you don't listen to. I don't find Taylor Swift's songs essential, yet many other people do. This is something that cannot be judged as all people have a natural self-bias to what they like and enjoy

Back to December and Blank Space didn't sound like electropop at the time, Cannibal by Kesha WAS electropop but wouldn't have come from Katy Perry because its zany lyrics were quintessential Kesha. Lana's ballads don't sound like Adele's etc.

I have no idea what point you're trying to make but NTLTC does seem like quintessential Ari considering it had a specific narrative tied to it. You could make the same argument for TUN too

Just now, GraceRandolph said:

Bad Romance has lyrics that Taylor Swift would never write, BOMT and Gimme More are quintessentially Britney in delivery, Blank Space wouldn't make sense coming from Christina Aguilera. Into You could be sung by a girl group or ex act and still be a great song but what about it is distinctly Ariana?

Ariana's vocal tone and delivery, vocal arrangements and production, introspective yet also humorous elements in her songwriting, melodic pop&B, etc. are all quintessential Ariana. If Ariana didn't have a distinct style than how did Sabrina emulate it so well on "Nonsense"? That sounds like an Ariana song from start to finish. You are just bias if you can't see that.  

1 minute ago, Tm4074 said:

Ariana's vocal tone and delivery, vocal arrangements and production, introspective yet also humorous elements in her songwriting, melodic pop&B, etc. are all quintessential Ariana. If Ariana didn't have a distinct style than how did Sabrina emulate it so well on "Nonsense"? That sounds like an Ariana song from start to finish. You are just bias if you can't see that.  

Maybe you're right. I just don't think her musical identity is so pronounced as you're making it out to be. 

1 minute ago, GraceRandolph said:

Maybe you're right. I just don't think her musical identity is so pronounced as you're making it out to be. 

You're entitled to your opinion but Billboard disagrees:

 

Quote

"Trace that ring from start to finish, and you'll witness something fascinating; a young woman who managed not only to transform her pain into prosperity, but created a mold-breaking model for success. The career framework Grande built has only benefitted recent pop ingénues like Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae, who've capitalized on her streaming-focused strategies and sweetly melodic (and slyly winking) pop&B sound to rocket-launch their own music. Ariana Grande consciously changed how pop music is perceived and enjoyed by the masses, in a way a new generation of fans and artists will forever be so f–king grateful for."

Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ariana-grande-greatest-pop-stars-21st-century-1235804073/

1 minute ago, Tm4074 said:

You're entitled to your opinion but Billboard disagrees:

 

Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ariana-grande-greatest-pop-stars-21st-century-1235804073/

I form my own opinions on music, and I also don't think Tate or Sabrina are particularly distinct as artists even if they have some bops. 

I know what you mean, but I think Break Free has what you are looking for. She sings in that breathy vocal style in that one that I associate with her no one else seems to be doing it.

Grande has no actual classics and her discography will eventually be forgotten, yes. 

Although she has a few bops here and there, 99% of her discography is giving 

yeah it's crazy because she has such a beautiful voice yet she keeps releasing albums that don't add much to her discography. It's insane how she has such a stunning voice and doesn't seem to make the best use of it

Totally. You'll see a bunch of ATRLers trying to convince you that NTLTC, We Can't Be Friends, 7 Rings, etc., are as iconic or legendary as the songs you mentioned but they are clearly not and they'll never be. And it's completely okay, that doesn't take away from her talent and how well received these songs were at the time. Madonna, Britney, Gaga, at their prime achieved things that are almost statistically impossible for a pop artist to achieve.

I was sure @nsst made this thread

3 minutes ago, ChooseyLover said:

Totally. You'll see a bunch of ATRLers trying to convince you that NTLTC, We Can't Be Friends, 7 Rings, etc., are as iconic or legendary as the songs you mentioned but they are clearly not and they'll never be. And it's completely okay, that doesn't take away from her talent and how well received these songs were at the time. Madonna, Britney, Gaga, at their prime achieved things that are almost statistically impossible for a pop artist to achieve.

It's not just about achievement. It's a question of personality. Squidward Nose IS a Cupcakke song through and through. No other female rapper could deliver it. Most Ariana songs don't seem like quintessential "only Ariana could make this" type music? Even some obscure artists have more defined styles. 

Ariana needs to stop getting looped in with the ex-acts. Her discography, fame, talent and impact is miles above Demi, Selena and even Miley with all due respect to them.

2 minutes ago, tost1 said:

I was sure @nsst made this thread

Actually i'm about to open a thread about Dua Lipa. Stay tuned 

Just now, ari luvr said:

Ariana needs to stop getting looped in with the ex-acts. Her discography, fame, talent and impact is miles above Demi, Selena and even Miley with all due respect to them.

She is an ex act though, and all have their own strengths and weaknesses.