TW: Discussions of Body Image.
Pop princess and chart-topper musician, cosmetics mogul, and actress, Ariana Grande has returned to her musical roots with her controversial new single yes, and? from her upcoming eighth studio album eternal sunshine.
Supported by producer legend Max Martin, a frequent collaborator of Grandeās (Into You, Break Free and God is a woman), yes, and? sets the rumours surrounding her love life straight and speaks of love, light, and positivity.
Ariana Grandeās 2023 was overwhelmed by swirling rumours of a divorce from husband Dalton Gomez, growing commentary on her appearance, and rumours of infidelity with co-star Ethan Slater. This track is her response to the speculation that she has been subject to, and she silences her critics with the short response ā yes, and?
Leading up to the songās release, the singer posted a teaser for the single, referring back to her 2018 post with the same caption of āsee you next year.ā Previously, this was a teaser for the song get well soon preceding her fourth studio album, Sweetener. This time around, the caption alluded to yes, and? creating a full circle moment for her dedicated fans.
Interpolating Madonnaās 1990 goliath hit single, Vogue, Ariana Grande and her producers Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh mix the upbeat dance beat with Grandeās light, airy vocals. As a homage to the widely agreed Queen of Pop, the groove created transports you to a mid-90s dancefloor, whilst the message of self-protection amplifies the excellent sonic production the two producers are synonymous with. The layered vocals, often cut by Grande herself, have become her signature style, and she shared a sneak peek into her process via Instagram.
The first verse of the song shares her exhaustion with the media circus following her every move, and seemingly addresses this speculation, describing their views as āsomething we donāt see just right.ā The theme of not acknowledging the whispers around her life is continued throughout the 3 minutes 35 seconds of the songās duration. Grande claims she will not āchange [her] most authentic lifeā from uninformed opinions, who have only heard one side of the narrative.
It would be amiss to not acknowledge the way her lyrics and personal life are intertwined, even as a fan of her music myself. I attended the Sweetener Tour back in 2019, and her response to public commentary has always been present in her music, from name-dropping previous partners in her smash hit thank u, next to her navigating the loss of Mac Miller on ghostin. Her personal life is personal for a reason, and even though she has shared titbits via Instagram, that does not entitle anyone to know more than what she, and other celebrities alike, choose to share.
In April 2023, whilst filming for the film adaption of the Broadway show Wicked ā where Ariana Grande is playing Glinda the Good Witch ā the speculation around her reached a boiling point, and she addressed body-shaming comments in a TikTok. Opening up about her mental health, weight and appearance, Grande asked for kindness and encouraged users to be less comfortable when discussing others. yes, and? shows that this is a message she is carrying forward, where she states ādonāt comment on my body, do not reply,ā encouraging her fans to ignore the negative talk surrounding her and focus on themselves.
Within the music video, Grande and her hoard of backup dancers hit sharp dance moves, reminiscent of the Be Alright dance break from her Dangerous Woman Tour, also undeniably influenced by Voguing. The dance quickly became popular with the singer’s wide female and LGBTQIA+ fanbase. Outside of her community, this dance is already going viral on TikTok, with the singer also sharing many of her fans recreating the moves to her Instagram story throughout the release week ā showing her eternal star power hasnāt faded.