What Critics Are Saying
TODAY.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album, "Petal," showcases a more experimental and darker vibe, reflecting unfiltered emotions and rage she typically avoids expressing in her music.
- Critics note a departure from her previous work, with The New York Times describing "Petal" as murky and brooding, lacking the sharpness and variety of her earlier album "Eternal Sunshine."
- Reviews from the Associated Press and Pitchfork highlight a restrained, intimate feel with less vocal flamboyance, while Variety and Rolling Stone praise the album for its boldness, emotional rawness, and musical departure.
- Billboard emphasizes "Petal" as a mature, guitar-driven project balancing candid songwriting with pop elements, designed to be performed live and revealing a more grounded side of Grande.
- Overall, "Petal" is seen as a significant artistic shift, with mixed reactions about its impact and depth, but generally acknowledged as a bold, personal statement from the artist.
