Aug 02, 2026 5:45pm IST
Ariana’s ‘Petal’ has Grande Ambitions, But Listen In with Espresso Expectations: Album Review
Ariana Grande is done ‘holding space.’ The only emotion she’s interested in celebrating now is rage.
Her eighth studio album, “petal”, is an exercise in exorcising the many demons she has befriended over the course of her 13-year career. Fans hoping that Grande would revisit the glossy pop highs of her earlier years, complete with euphoric dance tracks and radio-friendly hooks, may find themselves disappointed. But listeners willing to meet a different version of Ariana will discover an artist tearing herself apart and rebuilding herself in real time.
The opening track, “kiss me,” sets the tone immediately. Electric guitars and heavy synths replace the airy melodies that defined “Eternal Sunshine.” Across much of “petal,” Grande’s vocal approach is restrained and breathy. She abandons the soaring belts and whistle notes that made her famous and instead leans into softer, more intimate textures.
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The album’s standout track is the second song, which secured Grande her 10th Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single. Smartly written and steeped in melancholy, it finds Grande operating at her absolute best. Framed as a dark ode to her fandom, she declares that she is tired of playing along and resents the pedestal on which she has been placed.
The title track, “petal” delivers some of the darkest and moodiest production of Grande’s career. She’s angry, exhausted and unwilling to play nice anymore, and that frustration reverberates through every line, every bridge and every ad-lib. If the music video’s imagery didn’t make the point clear enough, the song certainly does. As a single, it is easily one of the strangest and bravest choices Grande has made in years.
“Stay” is the album’s weakest link. The chorus feels underdeveloped, the vocal arrangement lacks urgency and the track never quite finds its footing. It recalls the experimental tendencies of “Sweetener,” but without the unpredictability that made that album so compelling.
Things quickly improve with “oh well,” a buoyant throwback to the Ariana Grande that listeners first fell in love with. The chorus is infectious, the production sparkles and the entire song feels effortlessly playful. Chronicling a relationship heading toward its inevitable end, it is almost guaranteed to become a fan favourite.
“big feelings” continues that momentum and feels destined for single status. Much of “petal” explores the shifting nature of relationships. Some songs search for closure, while others linger in the painful space between grief and longing. Throughout it all, Grande allows listeners unprecedented access to the people who have drifted in and out of her life.
“freak” introduces a fresh sound but ultimately struggles to leave an impression. The darker atmosphere is intriguing, yet the production remains frustratingly flat. Even when the track gathers momentum during its second half, it never fully comes alive.
Fortunately, “like i do” quickly restores the album’s pulse. Stripped back, confessional and full of sly humour, the song recalls the playful sharpness of “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.”
“petal” begins as an untamed, furious statement from a woman refusing to be confined by expectations. Unfortunately, the second half loses that sense of direction. The emotional through line becomes muddled, and the record starts to feel less like a carefully cultivated garden and more like a collection of scattered ideas.
Grande receives writing and production credits across much of the album, but unlike “Eternal Sunshine,” her artistic fingerprints are surprisingly faint.
“petal” is unquestionably ambitious, but ambition alone isn’t enough. You might want to dial down your Grande to an espresso shot if you want to enjoy this decaf drink.
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