Music & Concerts
New Ariana Grande album ‘Sweetener’ is fun, daring
Non-stop dance-pop fun ensues after Pharrell-produced opening set
Ariana Grande continues her pop domination on her fourth album ‘Sweetener.’ (Photo courtesy Republic)
It would hardly be an understatement to say Ariana Grande is the biggest phenomenon in pop music right now. At 25, she has already landed two albums at the Billboard no. 1 spot, as well as a third at no. 2, and the number of her monthly listeners on Spotify is approaching 40 million. She has also regularly collaborated with other artists, including several songs with Nicki Minaj and the recent single “Dance to This” with Troye Sivan, from his upcoming album “Bloom.”
Her fourth studio album, “Sweetener,” which debuted at no. 1 on iTunes, is in large part a return to familiar themes of love, sex and romance, and the singer continues to bring her vocal A-game. But it’s also Grande’s first major release since her 2017 Manchester concert was the target of a terrorist attack.
In contrast to “Dangerous Woman” (2016), which featured hits “Into You” and “Side to Side,” the new record takes a more reflective tone. It prefers a sample-heavy, often futuristic-sounding R&B to the straightforward dance-pop sound of earlier hits like “Break Away.” It’s a sophisticated album that is both provocative — see the single entitled “God is a woman” — and irresistibly likeable.
With the exception of the short introductory track entitled “raindrops (an angel cried),” the first several songs were written and produced by rapper Pharrell Williams, who collaborated with Grande on several tracks which turn out to be the album’s most experimental.
The song “blazed” (featuring Williams) has a strange, uptempo bass and percussion groove with otherwise sparse instrumentation. Over the percussion-heavy accompaniment, Williams relies on his falsetto while Grande sings with a robust ‘90s R&B sound. The following track, “the light is coming” (featuring Nicki Minaj), is another somewhat odd track that relies on highly repetitive samples.
The first several songs feel like yawn and stretch, a sort of warmup for the rest of the album, which truly hits its stride with “R.E.M.” And once it gets going, it doesn’t miss a beat.
“R.E.M” has a sexy R&B/rap sound, reminiscent of artists like Frank Ocean. This, in turn, is followed by “God is a woman,” released as the album’s second single. The song cleverly employs sacred language to talk about profane, sensual things. But there is no ambiguity when Grande sings in her sensuous soprano, “When all is said and done/You’ll believe God is a woman.”
The record’s title number is a cheery, R&B-infused pop track. It’s an interesting place from which to draw the album’s title, which could have just as easily been “no tears left to cry” or “God is a woman.” It’s neither the best written nor the most powerful song on the record. What it captures, however, is a certain defiant optimism that runs through the music. After the tragedy in Manchester, Grande is chin-up, looking at the brighter side of things.
The album’s lead single, “no tears left to cry,” deals explicitly with the need to move on after a tragedy: “Ain’t got no tears left to cry/So I’m pickin’ it up.” The song is one of several collaborations between Grande and Swedish songwriters ILYA and Max Martin, who also produced the multi-platinum lead single “Problem” from her sophomore album. “no tears left to cry” shares a similar musical feel that is as warm as it is methodical. The collaboration is an unsurprising pick for the lead single, and the formula appears to have worked again: the music video is just shy of 500 million views on Youtube.
There are so many good songs on the album that it’s almost hard to choose favorites — “better off,” “everytime” and “goodnight n go” are all solid contenders. The song “breathin,” which deals with anxiety, is another well-crafted and catchy collaboration with ILYA. One thing, however, is clear: “Sweetener” is album from an artist at the height of her powers, a pop diva for a new generation.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.
In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.
MARCH
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.
The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.
If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.
APRIL
Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.
Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.
The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.
Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.
DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”
The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.
MAY
Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.
Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.
Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.
The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.
JUNE
Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.
Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.
Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.
Music & Concerts
Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation
International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue
The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.
Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.
The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.
“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”
The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.
“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”
WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
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