Ariana Grande’s eighth album, Petal, is presented as a darker, more restrained response to the theatrical brightness of her recent Wicked work and 2024’s Eternal Sunshine. The review finds its anger directed at former partners, intrusive fans and media scrutiny, but delivered with composure rather than explosive confrontation; this matters because it marks a stylistic shift towards moodier electronic pop and more controlled vocals.

Grande and longtime collaborator Ilya Salmanzadeh layer her voice beneath bass, distorted textures and rattling percussion, using the image of a trampled petal to convey vulnerability. Tracks including Hate That I Made You Love Me, Oh Well and Like I Do address obsession, break-ups and press attention, while the album’s sparse vocal runs and ghostly harmonies replace much of her usual powerhouse display. The review also notes that Grande filed a lawsuit that week over allegations that hackers stole and sold unreleased songs.