Over the past few weeks, we have seen an array of pop artists release songs and or albums simultaneously. Both superstars Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake released new albums, Jennifer Lopez put out her first record in ten years, plus Cardi B released her new single, Enough (Miami). I’ve been a huge fan of Ariana Grande since her album Dangerous Woman in 2016 and her 2019 album, thank u, next, absolutely saved my life and inspired me in so many ways. It helped me in getting over a major depressive heartbreak and was (still is) the soundtrack to my life.

Eternal Sunshine, Ari’s 7th studio album, is positive, uplifting and down right intoxicating. She’s way more optimistic here, an extremely quick journey recapping her life over the past three years. Ariana feels more comfortable being her most authentic self while navigating the game of fame and love. When Ari released the upbeat, dance lead single yes, and? in January, fans (mostly the gays) immediately thought the album would also be an uptempo, dance album throughout, but were irate to hear mostly mid-tempo R&B tracks. Ariana’s new album is solid Pop & R&B, with monstrous beats similar to those of her thank u, next albums production.

Justin Timberlake released his first album in six years and one thing is for sure; Justin & his wife Jessica Biel are either open in their relationship or he’s cheating on her. Some songs paint Justin as the bad-boy-bachelor who encounters hookups on a daily basis. Also, there are quite a few tracks that are obviously about Britney Spears, which he’s blatantly singing stories that are so inaccurate of their global romance back in 1999-2002. Sure, it’s a he said she said situation, but I highly doubt Britney and team would lie about Justin knocking Britney up and then forcing her to have an abortion, or cheating on her many times when she was barely twenty one years old.

In terms of sound and beats, produced mostly by Timbaland, Calvin Harris and Ryan Tedder, the album is entertaining enough. However, Justin and Timbo try too hard to resurrect the nostalgia from Justin’s brilliant 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience. Everything I Thought I Was is a recycled version of 20/20 and Justin consistently croons and sexualizes women that are not Jessica Biel. It’s quite confusing as if those flirtatious songs are just for tracks to make the cut on his album. Like pick a lane, bro.

To sum things up, Ariana takes the cake by a landslide. While Timberlake’s album is full of some good pop gold, Eternal Sunshine is memorable, written all by her and will definitely be nominated for multiple Grammy’s next year.

Eternal Sunshine Key Tracks: we can’t be friends (wait for your love), the boy is mine, eternal sunshine and imperfect for you

Everything I Thought It Was Key Tracks: Memphis, Flame and Infinity Sex