When moving my old ESpearUpdates posts over to this blog, I re-read a bunch of old content. One of the most interesting to look back on was my review of Ariana Grande's 5th album, Thank u, next, and hearing my 18 year old selfs opinions on my first listen. I disagree with so much of it now! I've never been great with first impressions of albums because I'm very stubborn and not great with newness hahaha. My Thank u, next review reeks of that! I do also make a lot of good points that I stand by, but which parts of the review do I still agree with, and which do I read with a pained expression on my face? That question is exactly what inspired me to create todays post: Revisiting Thank U, Next.
Thank u, Next (and my review of it) came out in February 2019, when I was 18 years old.
It has now been exactly 3 years since that first listen, and I'm going to press play once again and chat through my opinions on it now, after having years to digest and form a more well rounded opinion.
I'm the first person to admit that my true opinions of albums take at least a year to form (sometimes longer, I'm looking at you, Reputation.. ) so I thought this would be a really fun series to start alongside first impression reviews. Now you can read an updated perspective, this time about the songs that grew on me, the lines that get stuck in my head to this day and the ones I still skip.
-In this post I will often be directly referring to my original review. If you haven't read that post yet, you can find it here. I will, however, be including the ratings from the first review on this one to make it easier to directly compare!-
IMAGINE
The chorus of this song actually gets stuck in my head a lot even though I don't go to listen to it often. As I said in my initial review; a pretty album opener!
First impression: 5/10
Current rating: 5.5/10
NEEDY
I have this songs on several of my playlists and still like it just as much as on first listen! A relatable banger. Let's listen to Ariana and stop hating on neediness so much because we all need to lean on others a little when shit gets tough sometimes.
First impression: 8/10
Current rating: 8/10
NASA
Hmmm. My first impression of this one was very positive but I honestly skip it when it comes on now. I really, really like the verses. But the chorus juuuust cringes me out! I feel bad saying it but I'm pretty sure even Ariana has said a similar thing about this song before? but I could be misremembering. I can't really remember why I rated it so highly initially. I think it's because the subject of the song is a perspective you don't hear sung about much- space being healthy in a relationship and I liked the message of me time etc. And I still do love that about it! I just find other aspects haven't aged well for me. I'm bumping up my current rating for the looovely verse melody and lyrics, though.
First impression: 7/10
Current rating: 6/10
BLOODLINE
I think I've listened to this song in full once in my life and it was when I was writing my first review. It's not awful, I just don't get anything from it, so it's just a total skip for me. I've actually deleted it from the album tracklist on my phone so I don't even skip it, I just forget it exists hahaha.
First impression: 4/10
Current rating: 2/10
FAKE SMILE
I love this song so much!!! I loved it in my first impressions and I love it even more now! I don't think I've ever skipped this, even on shuffle. Singing this in my head has actually got me through some really, really shit times, and I'm incredibly grateful for discovering it for that reason alone. I don't people please for people I'm actually terrified of anymore- I'm done, been through way too much ;) So as well as loving the production and song in general, it's become really personal to me too.
First impression: 9/10
Current rating: 10/10 - definitely my favourite Ariana Grande song and a high rated fave in general too
BAD IDEA
Stand by everything I said in the original review of this song. Production fits the song meaning perfectly. I always really feel this song when I hear it because of this. However it's not a song I personally listen too much, if at all unless I shuffle Ariana or put on the album as a whole.
First impression: 6/10
Current rating: 6/10
MAKE UP
I actually really disagree with my old self on this one. It's funny because I made such a strong argument against this song just for me to laugh at myself a couple of years later and say the opposite haha. After Bad Idea, I feel quite heavy and we've had so many songs about how much she's struggled these last few years that I really welcome make up. Perfectly timed on the track list and such a relief to feel lighter and happier and have a fun moment. This song is on my sassy playlist for when I need to channel a bit of fun and confidence. bet 18 yr old ella is cryin rn, She really thought she was doing something with that review lol
First impression: 6/10
Current rating: 7/10
GHOSTIN
I still agree with everything I said in my first impression and want to state that this song is heartbreakingly beautiful. You really feel that. But that's also exactly why I rarely ever listen to it. It makes me sad, especially since finding out she was forced to put it on the album (even stating she begged her manager to remove it) when she initially didn't want to release it ever. That makes it a bit much for me because it's clearly very personal and came very fresh from the situation, straight into the world. I'm not gonna rate this one for all of those reasons and you can just check out my initial review if you want to see my first reaction.
IN MY HEAD
I said that this song might be a grower on me (to which I remember feeling doubtful) and it was indeed. I like it a lot more now, and the 'look at you, boy I invented you, Gucci tennis shoes, running from your issues' gets stuck in my head all the time. Love the way she sings that part too. I like it more than I thought I would.
First impression: 5/10
Current rating: 7/10
7 RINGS
hahahaha I absolutely slaughtered this song to anyone who'd listen when this first came out. I hated it too much! I think I was just taking it way too seriously and felt strongly about not agreeing message wise and not enjoying it sonically either. I still think it's a weird one in her discography and definitely don't agree with the whole rich people are the best thing but I myself write from wild personas to make fun, sassy songs that don't represent my actual thoughts and feelings so I don't know why I was so upset about it lol. I happily bop to it now, especially on just dance!!!
First impression: 3/10
Current rating: 6/10
Current rating of 7 rings on just dance: 100/10
THANK U, NEXT
Iconic song, even more iconic video. The release of this song really was a moment. Don't listen to it much anymore but I used to a lot! I do kinda wish this was swapped with Break Up With Your Girlfriend on the tracklist because it would've been such a perfect album closer.
First impression: 7/10
Current impression: 7.5/10 (0.5 for longevity. overplayed and still don't hate it!)
BREAK UP WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND, IM BORED
Another song I took waaay to seriously in my first reaction. It's a bit of a bop, not my favourite but when it comes on it's always fun.
First impression: 3/10
Current impression: 6/10
OVERALL
It's a damn good 2010s pop album. Definitely a few too many skips (& songs that I like but not massively) to be a fave, but still a goodun that I love to listen too. And one of Ariana's best, with an iconic era too. To read a much more in depth review of each track and the album overall, check my original post from 2018. This doesn't dive as deep as the original as its purpose is to highlight the changes in my opinions and how you need to live with an album for a while to really know it.
I hope you've enjoyed revisiting Thank u, Next with me! I've absolutely loved working on this post and can't wait until there's another new album I'm interested in reviewing, then maybe revisiting in a few years hahah!
E. x
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