Dangerous Woman

by Ariana Grande

Released May 20, 2016 via Republic Records

Reviewed May 4, 2021

Top tracks (based on community voting)

Dangerous Woman (46%), Into You (39%), Greedy (27%)

When you compare Dangerous Woman to My Everything and Yours Truly, it’s like night and day; they might as well be made by different artists. Not only does Ariana Grande become eons more mature in a matter of two years, but the songs on Dangerous Woman evolve far beyond just vehicles to showcase Ariana’s incredible voice. The instrumentals got a lot more bombastic—for example, take the title track and “Into You”—and the lyrics are much improved. The fullness of this record is likely the reason this is the Ariana album where the most songs have lead single energy and #1 hit potential. Musically, it’s a potpourri of different influences (disco, rock, dancehall, doo wop), yet that fullness and hit potential makes these songs pop classics. Her ventures into R&B are great, but when Grande really immerses herself in a more pop-driven style, she transforms into one of the best pop artists of this decade. – Alan (9.3/10)

While Ariana Grande was already at the front and center of pop culture prior to Dangerous Woman, her third studio album feels pivotal in proving her staying power. Five years later, Grande’s success hasn’t wavered one bit and neither has her willingness to adapt. Dangerous Woman cemented her image as a genuine artist—and more importantly, a confident and empowered woman—rather than the teenage actress we’d seen on Nickelodeon. Flirty, rebellious, and overtly sexual at times, Dangerous Woman embraces mature themes but is never anything less than thoroughly tasteful. Fusions of soulful R&B combine with dance-pop to form the foundation, while a myriad of influences from reggae, trap and EDM make this thing truly pop. Loaded with hits, beautiful vocal performances, and a strong showing on the songwriting front, this album solidified Grande as a generational popstar, an inspiration source for female empowerment, and a truly Dangerous Woman. – Dominick (8.5/10)

Teenage actors and actresses rarely expand upon that title as far as their careers in entertainment go. If they do, it is often prefaced by a period of controversy brought on by public and media scrutiny. While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with teen idols having rocky transitions into adulthood in the entertainment industry, it's worth noting that few have done so with the poise and grace that Ariana Grande has. Dangerous Woman is a fantastic example of how the Victorious star has evolved over the years. Shedding the skin of the quirky and bubbly persona she presented on Nickelodeon, Dangerous Woman is an exploration of more socially mature material—love, lust, defiance, heartbreak—with Grande’s one of a kind voice. Her unwavering vocal performances are as polished, powerful, and steady as ever on this album; the musicality and guest appearances are varied and largely successful. Ariana Grande has become a megastar in recent years, and it's not because of some catastrophic string of events like some of her peers. It is because of her undeniable talent and albums like this. – Pax (8.2/10)