Ariana Grande released her sixth studio album Positions in 2020 and since then has become a household staple in contemporary R&B. Arguably Ariana’s most vocally powerful album to date even after Eternal Sunshine.

When Ariana Grande’s Positions arrived on October 30, 2020, the world was locked down. Theatres were closed, tours were a distant memory, and our lives had contracted into the confines of our own homes. It was in this unique context that an album explicitly about the intimacy of a private world found its perfect audience.

Initially met with mixed reviews and the same fan hesitation that greeted Sweetener, Positions has, over five years, completed a journey from being underrated to undeniable, cementing itself as a revered fan favorite and a revolutionary bridge between pop and R&B.

The initial reaction was a mixed bag. Critics and fans alike praised the album’s cohesive, relaxed vibes and Grande’s stunning vocal performance, with many highlighting the impeccable whistle tones on “my hair” as a career peak. However, the more stubbed, trap-infused production led some to call certain tracks forgettable, and the highly sexualized, playful lyrics of a song like “34+35” were a point of concentration, seen by some as a step back from the raw maturity of thank u, next.

Yet, the very qualities that were once questioned are now the reasons for its beloved status. Positions is the definition of a “grower.” Ariana said on her Shut Up Evan Podcast that she was not going to make another album after Positions, signaling that it was initially going to be her last album. Many of her fans assume its the result of the negative receivement of the album in it’s beginning release. Grande expressed that it was the result of her falling out of love of music (which looks like it was a result of her fans taking it negatively on release).

Positions commitment to a cohesive R&B and neo-soul identity, rather than chasing obvious radio hits, is now seen as its greatest strength, creating a sophisticated and immersive soundscape and has proven timeless. Lyrically, the focus on healing, trust, and domestic bliss represented a new king of emopwerment.

Tracks like “pov” showcase a vulnerable desire for self-acceptance, while the album as a whole documents a happer, more stable chapter; a narrative fans have grown to cherish. Vocally, Grande masterfully traded powerhouse belting for a breathy, nuanced, and layered approach, using her instrument to serve the song’s intimate mood rather that just to dazzle.

The pandemic’s timing is crucial in understanding Positions’ initial reception and its lasting legacy. With a traditional album cycle impossible, the focus shifted entirely to the music itself, devoid of the spectacle of a tour, music award performance, or a giant world tour. This absence of external fanfare forced listeners to sit with the album’s subtle intricacies.

The lyrics about building a cocoon with a loved one, of “cookin’ in the kitchen and whippin’ up something,” resonated deeply with an audience experiencing a similarity contracted social life. The album’s sound wasn’t designed for stadiums; it was designed for headphones on quiet rooms, for late-night drives with nowhere to go. This intimate listening environment allowed the smooth production and intricate vocal layers to shine in a way they might not have during a normal hectix year. The lack of a tour also meant the album wasn’t tied to a specific visual spectacle, allowing fans’ personal connection to the music to grow organically and without a predetermined narrative.

This context completes the Sweetener parallel, solidifying a pattern in Grande’s career where her most adventurous and personal work is initially met with skepticism, only to be fully appreciated with time. Positions is the sound of an artist at the peak of her vocal and creative powers, choosing subtly over spectacle.

Five years on, its smooth, intricate, and vocally powerful journey has not only won over the fans but has also secured its place as a pivotal, beautifully aged document of finding quiet joy in a turbulent time.

Ariana Grande has release the live Vevo performances of her songs: “pov,” “positions,” “safety net (feat. Ty Dolla $ign),” “my hair,” “34+35,” “off the table (with The Weeknd).”