Whether you caught wind of it in the news, social media, or heard it playing in the background of a small business owner’s reels, Ariana Grande’s new song, “yes, and?” has caused an uproar in the media over its quality and questionable morals. Released on January 12, Grande’s single captured public attention for being her first new production since “Positions” three years ago.
“yes, and?” is meant to be a testament of confidence and authenticity, with the title showing a nonchalant attitude towards criticism. In the lyrics, Grande hints at the critique of her affair with Ethan Slater, trying to prove that she is entitled to do what she wants with her life. Unfortunately, the song did not have quite the iconic effect Grande hoped to achieve. Rather, the quality of the music and music video is lacking compared to previous releases.
The song’s introduction is long, plain, and unoriginal. It feels like perhaps it belongs in the background of a Macy’s, as you browse through uninspiring items. The rest of the song is bland, with the only catchy part being the title phrases in the chorus. Grande’s voice sounds airy and her tone is reminiscent of that in “thank u, next.” The only difference between these two singles is the fact that “yes, and?” does not require a lot of vocal gymnastics or mastery of techniques. It stays within the same mezzo-soprano range that seems overly comfortable for Grande. There are no surprises or memorable moments, and it is almost as if Grande used artificial intelligence to find a random tune in her style.
Moreover, the lyrics are straightforward, and the phrase “yes, and?” is spoiled by the messages Grande is trying to convey. As reflected above, the song is meant to be about confidence but comes off as a cover-up for her poor decisions. Back in 2023, Grande divorced her husband, Dalton Gomez, and began seeing Slater, an actor and singer. Unfortunately, Slater was married and had a son at the time, which Grande was well aware of. The affair caused Slater and his wife, Lilly Jay, to split, as he continued to date Grande. By singing lyrics like “I’m so done with caring/what you think, no, I won’t hide/underneath your own projections/or change my most authentic life,” Grande expresses her disregard for the impression she gives and the judgment she faces for her actions.
In the music video, Grande attempts to justify her mistakes with actors playing aggravating and obnoxious critics, making her seem wronged and more reasonable for protecting her own interests. However, it is easy to see right through the mask. Apart from that, the questionable quality of the choreography, which features slow sliding movements that do not match the upbeat tempo, results in a poor overall listening experience.
Grande’s large influence, especially among young teens, gives her the responsibility to make good judgments and set positive examples. However, her song “yes, and?” is essentially trying to prove that she doesn’t have to acknowledge this responsibility and can do what she wants in her personal life. While celebrities should be allowed their privacy to an extent, Grande made her own choices and her actions as a homewrecker should not go unnoticed.
Overall, “yes, and?” receives one out of five stars, as it lacks Grande’s usual quality, and is simply a distraction from her poor behavior as she attempts to flee controversy. Perhaps instead of complaining in song form, Grande should take responsibility for the consequences of her actions.
