So, the whole vibe of this album is totally different from her previous works. And you can definitely tell that she was heavily inspired by Mariah, because it seems like every other track has her doing whistle notes, which was so rare for her to do with her earlier efforts. She even had said something earlier in her singing career that she was concerned about doing whistle notes because of damaging her voice or something. I wish I could find a video of her saying that.
But anyways, most of the songs to me, and I'm saying this as a big fan of hers, I feel like they lack a lot of substance and that a lot of the songs are really forgettable. Maybe that was a bit harsh...What I really mean is that I feel like nothing really stands out on the album and that they are just a collection of little bops for like the moment, but nothing that you would probably go back to after like years to come. I think that's what really sets her apart from like Whitney and Mariah and some other great singers out there is that her material doesn't really stand the test of time. And their definitely aren't any songs that would be like a signature song off this album. And I feel that Ari is just releasing what she feels comfortable with. I don't really see her going the extra mile or trying to switch it up. It's all soft and smooth tracks with little to no substance and a lot of harmonies.
But if I was to give a rating for the songs that do somewhat stand out, here's how I would rate them.
1. safety net (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - This is probably the best song off the album. Ari talks about moving on from the past, presumably thanks to her new found love with Dalton Gomez. I know she stated that she didn't think she would ever find love again after losing Mac Miller, but apparently, she has found something with Dalton. Not sure how deep it will get between them. Only time will tell. I'm sure it's the deepest song off the album.
2. off the table (feat. The Weeknd) - This song has the same vibe and theme as
safety net . She seems to question whether or not she should be going too steady with Dalton because it seems she's not fully healed from losing Mac Miller. And she's asking herself if love is completely off the table. And the Weeknd's verse seems to what she wants Dalton to say to her in response to her feelings. It's a good song if you really listen to the lyrics. I love how the Weeknd makes references to
Love Me Harder and
The Hills. After listening to this song a few times, I feel like she was trying to bring a little of the 90's into this song as far as the singing goes. I think
34+35 is the next single, but if I were her, I would have done this song as the next single. Hopefully, it will eventually become a single.
3. positions - This is probably the most radio friendly song on the album, apart from
motive, but I feel this song is more memorable. And to me, Doja Cat doesn't make
motive a better song. And I think it has the best hook.
4. my hair - This song is really good. It's totally different from a lot of her previous work because it has this smooth jazz vibe. I mean, she had a similar song on Dangerous Woman, but this one is like R&B and jazz mixed together, almost neo-soul. And the production is really smooth like butter. I get a sense that she was inspired by Erykah Badu or Jill Scott and most definitely Mariah Carey. I thought that Minnie Riperton and Maraih Carey were the only people who could sing words in the whistle register, but it looks like Ari proved them wrong. It's actually a very nice surprise since Ari has never demonstrated this ability in her earlier work. If this album had more cuts like this, I would be so delighted. And I'm sure a lot of other people who wish that R&B would make a mainstream comeback would feel the same. The only thing I hate about this song is that it's so damn short like many of the songs on the album.
5. pov - This is a really good song because you can tell it actually has meaning or substance to it unlike many of the songs on the album. This song makes me believe she has insecurities about the way she looks or is perceived because she states she wants to see herself from his point of view. I'm sure she's talking about Dalton. I'm actually certain all the songs are about him to some degree.
Sorry for the little review, but I felt it was necessary to give it.