“Positions” is not Grande’s worst album to date (that’s designated to 2014’s “My Everything”).

Upon first listen, it was a mild disappointment; the songs resembled one another too much, so standouts (the orchestral opener “shut up”; the positive “just like magic”; the addictive first title track (her first single) the suggestive “nasty”; and the introspective closer “pov”) were the only tracks preventing the album from being unmemorable.

A second listen later…

A third listen later…

The difference those listens made at that point because one (just one) track floundered compared to the rest.

Again: “Positions” is not Grande’s worst album to date; it’s one of (if not) her best efforts released in her five-album discography thus far. Sameness was confused for cohesiveness, so the tracks (and their similar sounding instrumentations at times) flow well together. She ensures that the tones of each song match, maintaining a consistency that’s distinct for this particular era of hers.

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Grande showcases her vocals sensually, effortlessly, lazily, and emotionally all at once.

— Daniel Lackey

Grande’s known for giving mainstream audiences (and her loyal fans) catchy songs, and the tracklist on “Positions” maintains that; it’s not hard to suddenly have one of its songs stuck in your head.

She’s a pop/R&B force and legend and superstar continuing to make a name for herself.

She won’t go away.