Why does it feel like Ariana is intentionally holding back? Where did the vocals go? Why is she nerfing herself?

On Eternal Sunshine and Petal, so much of the vocal delivery is airy, whispery, soft, and restrained. The melodies are pretty, but where are the belts? Where are the insane ad libs? The vocal runs? The moments that make you stop and think only Ariana could do that?

She built her career on being one of the strongest vocalists of her generation. Even when she wasn't belting the whole song, there would be at least one huge vocal moment. We are already running out of powerhouse vocalists in pop. Ariana does not need to lean so heavily into minimalist vocals. She is not Selena Gomez. There are very few artists alive who can do what she can, so why not showcase it?

I raised this in the Petal thread and someone said "I actually think its cool she kinda gatekeeps lol". Gatekeep from who? Herself??? What's the benefit?

She could make a good soul record rather than this uninspired pop-ish R&B-ish sound or whatever it is.

it's a stylistic choice, she gives everything and more every night on tour

also nobody could sing these songs like she does either, generally speaking they could but they wouldn't sound as cool

i have no idea. she has an excellent voice and could be making timeless music. the music she's actually making is so far beneath her

This is the sixth time you've posted the same take today. Do you need us to hold your hand and nod along or what?

Edited July 31Jul 31 by theboyismine

Yeah I missed when she always make sure to remind people that she sing sings

I wonder the same thing.

Her light and airy tone has become as synonymous with her music as her range at this point so I don't think it's a big problem, it could also be a good way for her to preserve her voice for longer by not overusing it

It's so frustrating. You can still make stylistic r&b while delivering vocals (i.e. Mariah, Jazmine, Mary J).

she's in her tortured poet era so of course she's not gonna sing

You're acting as if all of her albums are filled with hella belted songs and she rarely does those, leave her sing whatever she wants and however she wants it.

Taylor Swift

9 minutes ago, theboyismine said:

This is the sixth time you've posted the same take today. Do you need us to hold your hand and nod along or what?

How is the slop

8 minutes ago, theboyismine said:

This is the sixth time you've posted the same take today. Do you need us to hold your hand and nod along or what?

This is actually my first and only thread about this topic.... but anyway I am allowed to express my disappointment in the direction she is taking

Being a powerhouse vocalist just isn't popular anymore and the "sound" now is being airy, soft and over produced under yards of vocal arrangements

we need a big vocalist to debut again and shake the industry but it's gonna have to be a Whitney sized talent that brings vocalists back in style

I really love Ari's lighter voice when it's used throughout an album. But having two albums, one after the other, in this style is just a let down (for me).

4 minutes ago, liam13 said:

she's in her tortured poet era so of course she's not gonna sing

you're right... every song sounds the same on this 'cept the bunny hop, lol

I guess it's a stylistic choice to have her vocals mimic her physique. Artistic

2 minutes ago, mxoonlight said:

How is the slop

Give it up

15 minutes ago, theboyismine said:

Give it up

Missed opportunity to post this masterpiece

She's literally singing and hitting notes on petal (the song) that Taylor, Charli, Billie etc are not physically capable of hitting

after both wicked albums she deserves a vocal rest album

Make no mistake that she's still technically singing better than most; however, it is a little perplexing considering she's at an age where she should vocally be at her strongest/most refined so it is a little odd she no longer wants to show it off outside of a live setting (mind you, she won't be touring again anytime soon).