Positions (album)

''Positions'' is the sixth studio album by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on October 30, 2020. Grande worked with numerous producers on ''Positions'', including frequent collaborator Tommy Brown, accompanied by longtime co-writers Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx. Inspired by her "emotional healing", Grande desired to emphasize her vocals on the album.

Built around themes of sexual intimacy, attraction, and romantic devotion, ''Positions'' expands on the trap-infused R&B and pop sound of its predecessors, ''Sweetener'' (2018) and ''Thank U, Next'' (2019). Doja Cat, the Weeknd, and Ty Dolla Sign appear as guest features, alongside Megan Thee Stallion on the deluxe edition. Upon release, ''Positions'' was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics; Grande's vocal performance was often praised, though the album's lyrics and production style drew criticism. Publications ranked the album on various year-end best albums lists of 2020.

The title track was released as the lead single, which debuted atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and marked Grande's fifth number-one single in the United States, making her the first act with five number-one debuts on the chart. The song was her third Hot 100 chart-topper in 2020, following "Stuck with U" and " Rain on Me". All 14 tracks on ''Positions'' charted simultaneously on the Hot 100, with the second single, "34+35", arriving at number eight on the chart and peaking at number two, following the release of its remix with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. In 2021, the album was promoted by a series of performances of its tracks, presented by Vevo, and the release of " POV" to US radio as the third single.

With the debut of ''Positions'' atop the ''Billboard'' 200, Grande earned her fifth number one album in the United States. It spent two consecutive weeks at number one in the country, was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and became the eighth most consumed album of 2021 in the US. Elsewhere, the album reached number-one in Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. ''Positions'' contended for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (2022); Grande tied Kelly Clarkson for the most nominations for an act in the category, with five each.

Background

On April 19, 2020, it was first reported that Ariana Grande was working on new music. She also declared in May 2020 that she had recorded a song with Doja Cat earlier that year. In the same interview, however, Grande stated that she would not release an album during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. On October 14, 2020, Grande announced on social media that her upcoming sixth studio album would be released the same month. Three days later, she posted a slow-motion video in which she types out the word "positions" on a keyboard. That same day, Grande's official website launched two countdowns counting down to October 23, 2020, and October 30, 2020. On October 23, 2020, she confirmed via her Twitter account that the album was coming on October 30 and posted the cover art. The tracklist was revealed the following day. Grande released three slightly different ''Positions'' album covers on her social media. Each of them are beauty shots of the singer in black and white with varied posing. The covers were shot by Dave Meyers (who also directed the title track's music video), with creative direction by Stefan Kohli.

Music and lyrics

Musically, ''Positions'' is an R&B and pop record with trap inflections. Its tracks also contain elements of hip hop, neo soul, disco, funk, microhouse, electro house, and orchestral pop. Grande's vocals have been described as evoking mumble rap. The opening track, "Shut Up", has been described as "a jewel box of an orchestral-pop number in which the singer tells off people too concerned with how she spends her time". The second track, "34+35", has sexually suggestive lyrics. The third track, " Motive", is a collaboration with Doja Cat. Grande had declared the two worked on a track together during an interview in May 2020. The two would collaborate again on the remix of "34+35" alongside American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. " Off the Table" is a collaboration with the Weeknd, and "tackles the idea of loving after loss head-on and with grace". "Six Thirty" sees Grande "hatterestablished language norms and creates a new metaphor paradigm, comparing a person to a very specific hour of the day as represented on a clock". Vulture's Rachel Handler described "My Hair" as "a witty, clever little ditty about reassuring an uneasy lover that it is, indeed, okay to touch Ariana Grande's almost frighteningly giant ponytail. It's also a classic horny bait and switch, kicking off like a sexy, swingy, '70s-esque doo-wop about fuckin'." The eleventh track, "Love Language", is described as "disco-meets-new jack swing". PopSugar and '' Idolator'' respectively reported that "Off the Table" sampled "2009" by Mac Miller, while "West Side" sampled "' One in a Million' by Aaliyah". According to the liner notes, there are no officially credited samples in the album.

Release and promotion

On October 27, Grande announced that limited-edition CDs of ''Positions'' with two alternate cover artworks are to be released in conjunction with the album, and were made available for preorder on Grande's website.

The album was released on October 30, 2020. The same day, limited quantity of ''Positions'' standard edition CDs, autographed by Grande, were issued DTC on the website. On February 19, 2021, a deluxe edition of ''Positions'' was released, featuring five additional tracks. The deluxe version was released on CD on March 26, 2021. On April 9, 2021, the vinyl of the standard edition of the album was released, including a glow-in-the-dark variant, available exclusively at Target.

In July 2021, ''Positions'' was promoted by a series of live performances of some of its tracks, presented through Vevo.

Singles

The title track, " Positions", accompanied by its music video, was released on October 23, 2020, as the album's lead single. "Positions" was a global success. It debuted atop the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Grande's fifth US number-one single and extended her record of being the first artist to have five number-one debut singles on the chart. Spending 17 weeks in the top 10 of the Hot 100, it tied "Thank U, Next" as Grande's longest-running top 10 single in the United States. The track also peaked at number one on the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart in December 2020, becoming Grande's seventh number one single and 17th top ten single on the chart. It also remained at the pole position for seven consecutive weeks, becoming Grande's longest running number one single on the pop airplay chart, surpassing "7 Rings". In April 2021, "Positions" was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of over 2 million units in the United States.

"34+35" was released on October 30, 2020, serving as the second single from the album. A commercial success, it debuted at number eight on the Hot 100, marking Grande's 18th career top ten single, tying her with Beyoncé for the eighth-most top ten entries among women. Following the release of the remix, "34+35" reached a peak of number two on the chart dated January 30, 2021, becoming Grande's 12th top five hit in the United States. The track also peaked at number one on the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart in February 2021, becoming Grande's eighth number one single and second number one single from ''Positions''. It replaced the title track which dominated the chart for seven consecutive weeks, making Grande the first artist to replace herself at number one with two solo songs. It remained at the pole position for three consecutive weeks. The track also peaked at number one on the U.S Rhythmic Top 40 airplay chart, becoming Grande's third number one single. In April 2021, "34+35" was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for moving over 2 million units in the United States. A remix of "34+35", featuring American rappers Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, was released on January 15, 2021.

"POV" was sent to American adult contemporary radio stations on April 19, 2021, as the album's third single. Following the release of the album, "POV" debuted at number 40 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, later peaking at number 27. "POV" entered the top ten of the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart at number ten on the issue dated May 15, 2021. It became the third consecutive top ten hit from ''Positions'' and Grande's 19th top ten single. The same week, Grande yielded three songs in the top ten of pop airplay chart; the title track, "34+35" and "POV", making her the first artist to post three concurrent top ten hits in the survey's history.

Critical reception

''Positions'' received generally favorable reviews from music critics, most of whom agreed that Grande "does not break any new ground" with it. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 72 based on 24 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Louise Bruton of ''The Irish Times'' labeled ''Positions'' a "big orgy of breathless R&B songs" that solidify Grande as one of pop music's leading voices, despite the scarcity of "bangers". Mary Siroky of ''Consequence of Sound'' detailed the album as "showy", "wildly theatrical", filled with romance and flirtation, establishing a blend of ''Dangerous Woman'' (2016), ''Sweetener'' (2018) and ''Thank U, Next'' (2019), while dismissing the guest appearances as its weakest songs. ''Pitchfork''s Dani Blum wrote that Grande is "both in love and scared of it" in ''Positions'', as she tries to heal herself in "new giddy romance"; Blum further noticed that the album does not broaden her sound "the way her past few albums have". Brenton Blanchet of '' Clash'' gave plaudits for its "beautifully layered" orchestrations and sweet harmonies, but felt that Grande stays inside a comfort zone, in a genre "she's all too familiar with". ''Vulture'''s Craig Jenkins appreciated the "effortless" vocals, and pinpointed how the album is "risqué and unsubtle" in nature, but underlined its safe formula and presence of filler tracks. Hannah Mylrea of ''NME'' affirmed that ''Positions'' is "jaw-droppingly good fun", however, observed that the washy melodies result in indistinct songs, deficit of Grande's "trademark sparkle".

Chris DeVille of ''Stereogum'' lauded the "impeccable" vocals, but downplayed the "least stimulating" production. He dubbed ''Positions'' as a solid Grande album, but deemed it a premature "disappointment" in comparison to ''Sweetener'' and ''Thank U, Next''. '' The Telegraph'''s Kate Solomon described it as "sultry sexjams and thinly veiled euphemisms" with X-rated lyrics, softened by Disneyfied strings, but despite the singer shining new confidence, ''Positions'' "doesn't quite hit the spot". Carl Wilson of ''Slate'' classified the album as Grande's "most shamelessly sexed-up set" and "back-to-basics-plus album" with relaxed and familiar music, that turns "bedroom calisthenics" and "mundane" romance into "bubbly pop fodder", yet avowed that it feels trivial amidst her other projects. ''The Independent'' writer Adam White highlighted the album's push-and-pull dynamic, but felt the singer sticks to her comfort zone, and noted that ''Positions'' has "Spotify syndrome"—short songs to aid playlisting.

David Smyth of ''Evening Standard'' praised Grande's voice as "a thing of great beauty", but remarked that she "isn't firing as hard as she was when she released her last two albums". Alexis Petridis of ''The Guardian'' concluded that the album proceeds at a tiring pace, causing the individual tracks blur into "one long slow-motion shot", without a climax. Naming ''Positions'' a misstep in Grande's career, ''The Fader''s Shaad D'Souza denounced its conversational style of vocals, "low-effort" lyrics and trend-chasing production. He thought the songs lacked distinction and punch, dissolving into a "swamp of icy drum hits and aimless melisma". Calling it a product of pandemic fatigue, Alexa Camp of ''Slant Magazine'' wrote that ''Positions'' leans on "the same midtempo trap-pop" that were on Grande's previous albums, and criticized the lyricism for its "empty" pillow talk and repetitive hooks. Bobby Olivier of ''Spin'' found the album "sultry yet forgettable", with several "uninspired" or "unmemorable" tracks.

Year-end lists

Several publications listed ''Positions'' in their rankings of best albums of 2020. Additionally, some of its tracks were also named amongst best songs of 2020: "Positions", "34+35", "POV", "Just like Magic", "Nasty", "My Hair", "Motive", "Love Language", "Six Thirty", and "Off the Table".

Awards and nominations

Commercial performance

United States

''Positions'' debuted at number-one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, with 174,000 album-equivalent units, which included 173.54 million on-demand streams and 42,000 album sales, in its first week. This became Grande's fifth US number one debut and the fourth album by a female artist to reach number one in 2020. At the time of its release, ''Positions'' achieved the highest one-week total for an album since bundles and concert ticket offers stopped factoring into chart and sales rankings (October 9, 2020). ''Positions'' marked Grande's third number-one album in under two years and three months, which was the fastest accumulation of three number one albums by a woman at that time. It became Grande's fifth chart-topper on the ''Billboard'' Top Album Sales chart.

All 14 tracks of ''Positions'' charted simultaneously within the top 75 of the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, issue dated November 14, 2020, becoming Grande's second consecutive album to do so, following ''Thank U, Next'' (12 songs). Grande's career Hot 100 count expanded to 66 entries, the fourth-most among women. In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, with a furthered 83,000 units and 99.5 million on-demand streams. It was her second consecutive album to spend its first two weeks at number one, following ''Thank U, Next.'' In its third week, the album slipped to number four on the chart, moving over 75,000 units.

Following the release of the deluxe version, ''Positions'' ascended to the second spot of the ''Billboard'' 200 on the chart dated March 6, 2021, moving 49,000 units in its seventeenth week. After its vinyl and cassette release, ''Positions'' returned to number six on the chart dated April 24, 2021, earning 54,000 units in its twenty-fourth week. The album also peaked atop the ''Billboard'' Vinyl Albums Chart in the week ending April 15, 2021, becoming Grande's first chart-topper there. Having sold around 32,000 vinyl LPs that week, it held the former record for the largest vinyl sales week by a female artist since MRC Data began tracking sales in 1991. On April 6, 2021, ''Positions'' was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for moving a million units in the US.

As of the July 2021 MRC Data report, ''Positions'' was the tenth most consumed album of 2021 thus far, having earned 707,000 units in the year's first six months. Overall, ''Positions'' landed at number eight on the ''Billboard'' 200 year-end chart for 2021, while representing the third-biggest album amongst female artists, behind Olivia Rodrigo's ''Sour'' and Taylor Swift's '' Evermore''. Additionally, three ''Positions'' songs landed on the Hot 100 year-end chart of the same year, with " Positions" at number 14, "34+35" at number 21 and " POV" at number 87.

Other territories

In the United Kingdom, ''Positions'' debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her fourth number one album. For the second time, Grande achieved a chart double with the title track at number one as well. Grande achieved this in 2019, when her album ''Thank U, Next'' and single "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" topped the album and singles chart simultaneously. She is the fourth artist, and first female artist, to achieve a chart double in 2020, following Drake, Eminem, and Stormzy, and the second female to achieve this feat twice since Rihanna in 2011. In April 2021, ''Positions'' also topped the UK's Official Vinyl Albums Chart.

In Canada, ''Positions'' debuted at the top spot of ''Billboard'' Canadian Albums chart, yielding Grande her fourth Canadian number-one album and third consecutive number-one album. It remained at number one for two consecutive weeks. All 14 tracks of ''Positions'' charted on the Canadian Hot 100 simultaneously—Grande's third album to do so, after ''Sweetener'' and ''Thank U, Next''. The title track became Grande's fifth Canadian number-one hit and "34+35" debuted at number eight and later peaked at number five, becoming Grande's eighteenth top ten hit in the country. ''Positions'' was the 11th biggest album of 2021 on the Canadian Billboard Albums chart (fourth amongst female artists).

In Ireland, ''Positions'' debuted atop the Irish Albums Chart, becoming Grande's fourth consecutive number one album in the country. It was the most downloaded and most streamed album of the week. Joining Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, Grande became the fourth female soloist to claim at least four number-one albums on the Irish Albums Chart.

Aided by ''Positions'', Grande placed at number eight on the list of best-selling artists of the world in 2020 by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, ranking third amongst women.

Track listing

Credits adapted from the liner notes and Tidal.

Notes

* signifies a co-producer
* signifies an additional producer
* these contributors are only credited on digital releases of the album
* Physical releases of ''Positions'' credit Doja Cat and the Weeknd as featured artists instead of co-lead artists on "Motive" and "Off the Table", respectively.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Musicians

* Ariana Grande – songwriting, lead and backing vocals
* Doja Cat – lead vocals and featured vocals
* The Weeknd – lead vocals and backing vocals
* Ty Dolla Sign – featured vocals and backing vocals
* Megan Thee Stallion – featured vocals
* Peter Lee Johnson – strings
* Madison Calle – harp
* Gerry Hilera – concertmaster
* Paula Hochhalter – cello
* Ross Gadsworth – cello
* David Walther – viola
* Rodney Wirtz – viola
* Ana Landauer – violin
* Ashoka Thiaragarajan – violin
* Ellen Jung – violin
* Gerry Hilera – violin
* Lorand Lokuszta – violin
* Mario De Leon – violin
* Michele Richards – violin
* Neil Samples – violin
* Phillip Levy – violin
* David Campbell - string arrangements
* Dammo Farmer – bass
* Tarron Crayton – bass
* James Jarvis – guitar
* Murda Beatz – drums
* Zachary Foster – programming

Production

* Tommy Brown – production, executive production
* Mr. Franks – production , co-production
* Peter Lee Johnson – production
* Travis Sayles – production , co-production
* Xavi – production , co-production
* Murda Beatz – production
* Shea Taylor – production , co-production
* Shintaro – production
* Nami – production , co-production
* Keys Open Doors – production
* The Rascals – production
* Scott Storch – production
* Tommy Parker – production
* London on da Track – production
* Josh Conerly – production , co-production
* Oliver "Junior" Frid – production
* Pop Wansel – production
* Sam Wish – production
* Zachary Foster – production
* Ariana Grande – executive production, vocal production , vocal arrangement
* Tayla Parx – vocal production
* Joseph L'Étranger – co-production
* Anthony M. Jones – co-production
* Charles Anderson – co-production
* Ammar Junedi – co-production
* Marqueze Parker – co-production
* Yonatan Watts – co-production

Technical

* Randy Merrill – mastering
* Serban Ghenea – mixing
* Mike Dean – mixing
* Ariana Grande – engineering
* Billy Hickey – engineering
* Brendan Morawski – engineering
* Sam Ricci – engineering
* Shawn "Source" Jarrett – engineering
* Brandon Wood – assistant recording engineering
* Andrew Keller – assistant recording engineering
* Sean Klein – assistant recording engineering

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

See also

* Album era
* List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 2020
* List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2020s
* List of number-one albums of 2020 (Canada)
* List of number-one albums of 2020 (Ireland)
* List of number-one albums from the 2020s (New Zealand)
* List of number-one albums in Norway

References

{{Authority control

2020 albums
Albums produced by London on da Track
Albums produced by Murda Beatz
Albums produced by Scott Storch
Albums produced by Tommy Brown (record producer)
Albums impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
Ariana Grande albums
Contemporary R&B albums by American artists
Pop albums by American artists
Republic Records albums