The svelte and good-looking Ariana Grande has come a long way from being a Nickelodeon starlet. She showed her variable tone of vocal prowess when she came out with her 2013 debut, Yours Truly that was controlled by R&B god Babyface. If you’ve followed her career, Grande's star power is rooted in her Mariah Carey-esque octave as a singer. Anywhere on the current album those vocal wavering of the oooooooohs and aaaaaaaaahs made by Carey are omnipotent on her new studio work. With all this, we can surely say that she is one up from her peers Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and go one step further good competition for Katy Perry too despite trying to copy a diva. While her reach to become like Mariah is still far, her octave range is a must listen and on this new album, it’s there for all to see.

The 21-year-old latest offering is pure pop, mixing bubblegum diva vocals with EDM break beats. After a short one minute intro we have her hit single Problem that has everything: a top-of-the-range vocal we were talking about. It also has a great sax loop and a timely guest vocal from ubiquitous rapper Iggy Azalea. The summer smash Break Free sets the tone as she croons lovingly "This is the part when I break free," while German producer Zedd builds up the track to a punchy pace. Break Your Heart Right Back (Feat Childish Gambino) has an emotional kick to it with its saucy lyrics that go”…. I should've saw it coming, I should've saw the signs, But I wanted to believe you, trust you, You said you wouldn't lie, But, baby, you were so good, so good, You had me going blind, You said it was your best friend, I'm guessing, I wasn't your type, hey…….”. On this track you can hear how she uses Carey’s style to the fullest.

Moving ahead we have rapper Big Sean on Best Mistake an R & B piece that is well set on an otherwise pop infused album.

The only flat based track we have is Just a Little Bit of Your Heart, a masochistic piano piece, which talks of a heart broken lass who keeps taking back her no-good man every time he cheats on her. This is probably one of her best on the album. The song was written by One Direction's Harry Styles and is a winning credit here. In the same vein Grande reaches for a more adult tone in the ace power ballad early on in the album Why Try where though you can make out it’s a good sing-along track, Grande tends to struggle a bit on the highs. The repetitious Be My Baby (Feat Cashmere Cat) is slow but a good jam to listen to.

Producers Max Martin, Shellback, David Guetta, Ryan Tedder, Benny Blanco, and scores of others help to make a ‘Grand –e’ album of Pop, EDM and ballads, what more can one ask for?

Tune in and enjoy this promising artist who is sure to bring out more gems in the near future.

Rating: ***1/2

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira