Reviews

Ariana Grande “Yours Truly” Album Review

Yours Truly

Ariana Grande

  • Genre: Pop
  • Release Date: 2013-01-01
  • Explicitness: notExplicit
  • Country: USA
  • Track Count: 13
  • ℗ 2013 Universal Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Nine years ago, on August 30, 2013, the world was introduced to the global sensation Ariana Grande. She had previously released a few singles and transitioned from acting to being a musician. Ariana’s vocal resemblance to Mariah Carey’s had opened many doors for her, but she was yet to make her mark. Hopes were that the album would announce her in ways that she deserved.

The album “Yours Truly” was recorded over three years and released by Republic records. She drew inspiration from three of America’s biggest divas, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Mariah Carey. The pop and R&B record marked Ari’s first chart-topper on the Billboard 200 chart and shone a new light on her as a musician.

Artwork

Ariana Grande &Quot;Yours Truly&Quot; Album Review, Yours Truly, Reviews, March 28, 2024
Yours Truly Album Cover

In the cover art for “Yours Truly,” Ariana kept it simple. The cover featured a sexy and vulnerable shot of the singer bathed in studio light that shone on the left side of her face. This pose would become a signature for the singer who has, over the years, amassed a legion of fans now called “Arianators.” The cover of the album is in black and white. It feels like a poster card attached to a love letter for someone you love.

Features

In “Yours Truly,” Ariana Grande tapped the talents of a few artists who complimented her incredible vision for the beautiful album. The guests include rapper Big Sean, her then-boyfriend, Mac Miller, former member of the band, The Wanted Nathan Sykes, and MIKA. They each brought a different feel to the album.

Big Sean contributed to the song “Right There,” while Miller appeared on the hit “The Way.” Ari toned things down in the ballad “Almost Is Never Enough” with guest vocals from Nathan Sykes. With MIKA, she recorded the “Popular Song.” The talented features did not deter Ari’s dominance in the entire album.

Ariana Grande’s made a buzz with some of the songs on the album. The record was preceded by the release of the lead single “The Way,” featuring Mac Miller. The song became a success, peaking within the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 at number nine. The album’s second single, “Baby I,” was released four months later. It peaked at number 21. The third and final single, “Right There,” was not as successful. It reached number 84 in the US. Most of the songs on the album have also become fan favorites, including “Daydreamin’,” “Almost Is Never Enough,” and more.

Tracklisting

NO Title Artist Time
1 Honeymoon Avenue Ariana Grande 5:39
2 Baby I Ariana Grande 3:17
3 Right There (feat. Big Sean) Ariana Grande 4:07
4 Tattooed Heart Ariana Grande 3:14
5 Lovin’ It Ariana Grande 3:00
6 Piano Ariana Grande 3:54
7 Daydreamin’ Ariana Grande 3:31
8 The Way (feat. Mac Miller) Ariana Grande 3:47
9 You’ll Never Know Ariana Grande 3:34
10 Almost Is Never Enough Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes 5:27
11 Popular Song MIKA & Ariana Grande 3:20
12 Better Left Unsaid Ariana Grande 3:32
13 The Way (feat. Mac Miller) Ariana Grande 3:46

Production & Vocal Delivery

While talking about the album, Ariana stated that fans “can expect a lot of honesty. It’s like a direct… you know, it’s like it used to be pages from my diary, instead of keeping diary, I would write songs about what was happening in my life.” She called it a “Motown throwback and pop at the same time.”

Ari worked with Harmony Samuels, Babyface, J. Que, and her “Victorious” co-star, Leon Thomas III. Others, including Kenneth Edmonds, The Rascals, Jo Blaq, and more, also helped with the album’s production. Grande is also credited for co-producing some of the songs.

Ariana proved how much of a vocal diva she is on the album. Her delivery of each song was breathtaking and thrilling. She proved, indeed, that someone could dominate the spotlight and deliver the whistle just as much as Mariah.

Summary

Ariana’s “Yours Truly” album introduced her as a pop star to the world. The album proved that she had soaked in the music of music’s biggest divas and could deliver just as much as she had taken. Grande’s incredible vocal talent is the focus of the album. She also proved herself as an artist with good knowledge of what her music should be about.

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