Ariana Grande, the pop princess and icon celebrated the 10th anniversary of her sophomore album, My Everything, by giving her fans everything when releasing new vinyl and Digital Deluxe Editions. The pink-tinted vinyl features the original album’s tracklist plus songs that were previously never made available to the public.
My Everything takes us on a coming-of-age journey through Ariana’s life and career. The album expands on the 90s-inspired style of her debut album, “Yours Truly,” while approaching new genres such as EDM, electropop, hip hop, and soul. This was not only a sonic step forward but we saw Grande shed this sweet image established in her debut album Yours Truly, for a more grown-up attitude to life and love.
The first single “Problem” featuring Iggy Azalea opens the album by showing her first-time encounter with real-life challenges, talking about insecurities and renewing a relationship with a former boyfriend that she knows isn’t good for her. Representing the feeling of being terrified of rekindling a relationship that’s gone sour but wanting it more than anything.
Grande ventures into the second single, “Break Free” where she gives us a little taste of the EDM territory with spacey synth-pop production made by Zedd. One of the lyrics goes: “This is the part where I say I don’t want it, stronger than I’ve been before! This is the part where I Break Free!” This signified the renewed woman that Grande was becoming while connecting with the LGBTQ+ community. The song became an instant gay anthem and turned her into a bona fide gay icon.
Beyond the upbeat tracks, My Everything also explored deeper emotional themes. Songs like “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart” and the title track “My Everything” revealed a more vulnerable side of Grande, allowing her to connect with listeners personally. These ballads highlighted her impressive vocal range and emotional depth, proving that she could convey complex feelings through her music.
Many praise Grande’s vocal abilities and the album’s production quality. Her album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 169,000 copies in its first week, and was later certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. The album’s success solidified Grande’s place in the pop music landscape and influenced a new generation of artists who sought to blend genres and push musical boundaries.
One of my favorite songs is “Break Your Heart Right Back,” featuring Childish Gambino which has an upbeat sound and explains elements of heartbreak and betrayal. Another song, “Best Mistake,” featuring Big Sean, explores the complexities of friendship and love. Grande gives way to these two narratives when saying “Break up, make up, total waste of time, can we please make up our minds and stop acting like we blind.”
The album impacted the pop music landscape, establishing her as a leading figure in the genre. Showcasing her impressive vocal range and versatility, blending pop, R&B, and EDM influences, which resonated with a wide audience. Its commercial success, highlighted by hit singles like “Break Free” and “Problem” revitalized interest in saxophone-driven pop tracks. Grande’s newfound success made her a household name and brought a massive fanbase that catapulted her into a pop icon. This breakthrough solidified her artistic credibility but opened doors for other big collaborations and many awards.
Lyndzee Walker is a junior Journalism major whose ponytail reached the Empire State Building in 2014. They can be reached at [email protected].