At midnight, Ariana Grande returned to music with powerful new single 'Yes, And?'
Released as the title track to her upcoming seventh album, the boundary-pushing song makes it clear that the pop star is too busy living her “real life” as she sings to care about what other people say.
In the just-released music video, Grande doubles down. As seen in the teaser clip, a handful of reviewers are seen walking into an industrial-looking warehouse — and with plenty of opinions in hand. “You know, I think I liked it better when her ponytail was a few inches higher,” says one. “I mean, who cares if she's happy? I don't want happiness. I want Ari,” quips another.
As they are about to enter the room where they will see what Ariana has to present, an older group is seen coming out sweaty and in awe. As the next group takes their seats (under a heat lamp, no less, perhaps a nod to the kind of heated spotlight Grande lives under), the camera pans to a series of stone sculptures before landing on one of pop stars front and center.
And much to the audience's delight, as the music begins, the stationary figures shatter — and Ari is gone.
Wearing a ballet-inspired outfit and character shoes, she completes her look with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul — and the nod doesn't stop there. The clip, directed by Christian Breslauer, appears to be inspired by Abdul's optical for her own “Cold Hearted Snake,” which leans deeper into the late '80s energy of the song itself.
At the end of the video, Grande takes the position her statue was in at the beginning — and once she strikes the exact pose, she's turned back to stone. The possible conclusions are many: Is it a comment on fragility or strength? Is it a reminder that harsh outdoors are built upon hardship as a means of protection?
There's really only one certainty: No matter how the message is perceived, Grande doesn't really care. He knows what it means to her.
Check out the “Yes, And?” video below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ariana-grande-yes-and-music-video-watch-now-1235580354/
