Star of the hit Nickelodeon show Sam and Cat, Ariana Grande is taking a break from her bubbly TV character to pursue a music career. Released in the US on September 3^rd, 2013, Ariana’s debut album Yours Truly reached number one only nineteen minutes after its release. Due to her vocal abilities, the twenty year old is already being coined as the next Mariah Carey. An old school sound with a new twist, Yours Truly is sure to quickly skyrocket Ariana Grande on her way to becoming the next big thing.

 

Track 1

“Honeymoon Avenue” uses driving in a car as a brilliant metaphor for love. Who would’ve thought that driving in traffic could be such an elegant symbol for desires of the heart? This song is perfect for the first track because it gives you a feel of Ariana’s vocal style, range, and the feel of the rest of the album.

Sample lyric: “I feel like I’m stuck in bumper to bumper // Traffic, I’m under pressure.” 

 

Track 2

“Baby I” is that song that gets stuck in your mind for a week and you go singing it everywhere nonstop. Loving someone more than words is the central theme of this song with an infectious beat.

Sample Lyric: “But every time I try to say it// Words, they only complicate it”

 

Track 3

“Right There” featuring Big Sean already made an appearance on the Itunes charts and is the sequel to Ariana’s pre-album single “The Way.” “Right There,” doesn’t really match the fun vibrancy of “The Way,” whether it’s for the change of rappers or the song in general you decide.

Sample Lyric: “Five course meals even though you don’t mind a drive-thru //That’s why I got you.”

 

Track 4

“Tattooed Heart” is one of the songs on the album that really gives you that old school vibe (think Mariah Carey singing “All I want for Christmas”). The song is all about being the love of someone’s life and being the name on his or her heart tattoo.

Sample Lyric: “And kiss me underneath the moonlight // Darling let me trace the lines on your tattooed heart.”

 

Track 5

“Lovin’ It” proves why Ariana is coined the next Mariah Carey. Her high registers and effortless transitions in this sweet love song makes it seems like Ariana is a vocal veteran.

Sample Lyric: “See what you don’t understand is falling in love wasn’t part of my plan // Started with a crush // I call you my man?”

 

Track 6

“Piano” is a cute song, but rather repetitive. The three minutes and fifty-four seconds are mainly spent repeating the same four verses making it extremely catchy. The lyrics are charming, nothing intense, not the best and not the worse of the album.

Sample Lyric: “But I rather make a song they can play on the radio // That makes you wanna grab your lover’s hand.”

 

Track 7

“Daydreamin” is one of those simple songs that can embody all your emotions. The lyrics aren’t full of deep meaning or elaborate verses, it’s all about Ariana’s soothing voice and the calm beat that want to make you daydream about that someone special.

Sample Lyric: “I know I was made for you, I’m in love with all of your charm.”

 

Track 8

“The Way” featuring Mac Miller was the first track released from Yours Truly. The song set the mood for her album. Upbeat, catchy, and shows off Ariana’s vocal range. The rhythm of the song is able to catch the excitement of relationships.

Sample Lyric: “You give me that kind of something // Want it all the time, need it everyday”

 

Track 9

“You’ll Never Know” is the perfect song for anyone who has ever liked someone that manned up to his or her feelings too late. The song is pretty much that final “oh well,” as the person realizes that you’ve moved on.

Sample Lyric: “Now you finally tell me how you feel // Guess your words just came a little too late”

 

Track 10

“Almost is Never Enough” in one of the best tracks on the album. It has a soulful R&B feel due to Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes beautiful harmonies and the smooth rhythm. The song easily evokes feelings of longing and regret and unlike it’s preceding track, “Almost is Never Enough,” tells the story of what could’ve been.

Sample Lyric: “Then maybe we wouldn’t be two worlds apart // But right here in each others arms”

 

Track 11

“Popular Song” is a modernized cover of the song “Popular” from the Broadway hit Wicked. Though Ariana and Mika tried to take a modern take on the song, there is a reason updating classics are a risky thing to do.

Sample Lyric: “Standing on the field with your pretty pompoms // Now you’re working at the movie selling popular corn”

 

Track 12

“Better Left Unsaid” has the typical club song beat with substance less lyrics. It’s clear that Ariana played along with many style since it’s her debut style, however the softness and sweetness of her voice don’t really match the party girl attitude of the song.

Sample lyric: “You tell a lie, blame tonight // Too many drinks, so many reasons that some things are better left unsaid”

 

Overall Album Rating: 4 out of 5