Ariana Grande enters a new emotional territory with her latest album Petal, presenting a sharper, darker and more unfiltered version of herself, according to Variety.
The album follows her 2024 release Eternal Sunshine and reunites her with longtime collaborators Ilya Salmanzadeh and Max Martin. Like its predecessor, Petal was entirely written, performed and produced by Grande alongside the two collaborators. However, instead of repeating the previous album’s themes, Grande explores anger, desire and emotional intensity with a more direct approach.
Grande recently described the album as a project shaped by “unfiltered rage”, saying she allowed herself to express emotions she had previously avoided. “I usually am too shy to tap into that,” she said, adding that she filtered herself less while creating the record.
While the album still carries Grande’s signature pop sound and powerful vocals, Petal moves into more experimental territory. The songs explore themes of revenge, confidence and sexuality, marking a major shift from the heartbreak and resilience that defined Eternal Sunshine.
The lead single, Hate That I Made You Love Me, introduces the album’s unusual sound with distorted synth textures, minimal beats and layered vocals. Grande’s growth as a songwriter and vocalist is especially visible in the track’s complex melodic sections.
The album also includes familiar pop moments such as Kiss Me and Freak, but several tracks move towards darker electronic influences associated with artists like FKA Twigs and The Weeknd. Ilya’s adventurous production style dominates much of the record, with tracks such as Like I Do and the title song Petal featuring heavier rhythms, complex melodies and experimental synth arrangements.
Other songs, including Never Get Over Me, Bad Thing (Bunny Hop) and Big Feelings, showcase new musical directions, from icy funk and new wave influences to a more sensual vocal style.
The album closes with Nowhere, Nobody, a softer ballad driven by echoing guitars and layered vocals. The track brings back the emotional warmth of Eternal Sunshine and ends the record on a reflective note.
With Petal, Grande moves away from her familiar image of heartbreak and vulnerability, offering listeners an angrier, bolder and more unpredictable chapter of her musical journey.
