Ariana Grande's Feminist Awakening, And What We Can Learn: Analysis
As time progresses and pop performers are expected to take less time with their respective projects, artists feel increased pressure to tie new music to an intriguing new personal angle. Instead of evolution, there's a certain pressure on artists for transformation: It's why Justin Bieber's latest rebrand is all about apology; it's why Nick Jonas abandoned his boy band ways for a sultry R&B aesthetic. It's the reason for Taylor Swift's move from country to pop, and Demi Lovato opting for a personal-as-political platform in Confident. Those examples might feel extremely succinct, but it's the extremes that keep people interested (unless you're Adele and can pop out of thin air with a sentimental single, of course).
Ariana Grande is gearing up for her next studio album, her third in three years. Committing to rhythmic pop music in 2013 was already her moment of metamorphosis: Moving from Nickelodeon starlet to big-voiced chanteuse meant growing up gradually with each quickly-planned project. Last week, the singer released "Focus," the first single from her next studio set... and while the song was highly anticipated, that's not what's making Grande a person of interest this week. It's how she's carrying herself outside of her music; that's the real focus.
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