The Brief: Ariana Grande's latest album, Sweetener is primarily about love and overcoming hardship. Here is StayHipp's  guide to every track on the album, including all the slang you should know.

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DEEP DIVE

Sweetener was a much-anticipated album by one of the hottest pop musicians in the world. After releasing “God is a Woman” and “no tears left to cry” as singles with accompanying music videos, Ariana Grande released Sweetener in August 2018. It is full of late summer/back to school anthems – and it really is sweet. Ariana shows off her skill and versatility as a vocalist. Her honest, hopeful lyrics explore her mental health, relationships, and growth, particularly in the wake of the 2017 bombing at her concert in Manchester, England, in which 22 people were killed.

Many songs on the album were produced by Pharrell Williams and include collaborations with him, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliot. As it is a pop album, Sweetener is not as dense with slang as say Queen or Astroworld, but we’ve decoded what slang from the album that you should know. Here’s a quick breakdown of each track from the album.

1. raindrops (an angel cried)

Rating: not explicit. This intro to the album is 38 seconds of Ariana’s beautiful A Cappella.

2. blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams)

Rating: not super explicit: some innuendo references to sex and drugs. “blazed” is upbeat, celebratory, and fun.

Slang to know:

3. the light is coming (feat. Nicki Minaj)

Rating: explicit. 

Chorus:

The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole

Slang to know:

4. R.E.M.

Rating: sexually explicit – some sexual innuendos. This is a sweet love song, about how Ariana “doesn’t want to wake up” because “boy you’re such a dream to me.” “R.E.M.” and other love songs on the track are most likely about Ariana’s then fiancé, Pete Davidson.

5. God is a Woman

Rating: sexually explicit – sexual innuendos, references, and themes. Originally released as a single with an accompanying music video, “God is a Woman.” Musical editing has Ariana harmonizing with herself, singing about how after dating and being with her, “you’ll believe God is a woman.”

6. sweetener

Rating: sexually explicit. The title track of the album is an optimistic, catchy song about love and sex.

Slang to know:

7. successful

Rating: sexually explicit – some sexual innuendos and references. “successful” is a celebratory song about being a successful professional musician.

Slang to know:

8. everytime

Rating: somewhat explicit – some sexual innuendos and references to alcohol and drugs. This track explores the frustration and dangers of intense infatuation, particularly with someone with whom one does not have a healthy relationship. It is rumored to be about about Ariana’s ex, Mac Miller.

9. breathin

Rating: explicit – cursing. “breathin” is about Ariana’s experience with anxiety, referring to panic attacks, which can make breathing difficult. This song is part of an increasingly open dialogue about mental health in media and pop culture.

1o. no tears left to cry

Rating: not explicit. This was originally released as a single, and the music video has over half a billion views on YouTube.

Slang to know:

11. borderline (feat. Missy Elliott)

Rating: a little explicit – some sexual innuendos. This is a fast and fun collaboration, catchy enough to make you want to sing along.

Slang to know:

12. better off

Rating: explicit. “better off” is a great post-breakup song, likely written about Mac Miller.

Slang to know:

13. goodnight n go

Rating: somewhat sexually explicit. A dreamy love song, “goodnight n go” pairs well with “R.E.M.”

14. pete davidson

Rating: not explicit. Named after Ariana’s former fiancee, “pete davidson” is a sweet love song about finding your soulmate.

15. get well soon

Rating: not explicit. This song is meant to be a “musical hug” for people struggling with their mental health. The song has a positive message with melancholic, but hopeful melodies. “get well soon” is a tribute and memorial to the victims of the Manchester bombing during Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman” tour. It is five minutes and 22 seconds long – the bombing occurred on 5/22/17, and ends with 40 seconds of silence in memory of the victims of the attack.