Album of the Week: Ariana Grande, Sweetener (Republic) ****

SECURITY in public places has stepped up immensely throughout the UK since the sickening attack at the Manchester Arena on May 22 last year. The fact that the attack happened at an Ariana Grande concert, whose key audience was primarily early teen and even younger made the attack even more shocking. Grande’s immense contribution to the healing One Love Manchester concert at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground resulted in the City Council naming her as the first honorary citizen of Manchester.

Such an experience had to have a profound effect on the former star of the Nickelodeon television series Victorious and its spin-off Sam & Cat. Ariana’s first album since Manchester opens with an a cappella version of the Frankie Valli and Four Season song Raindrops (An Angel Cried), which within 40 seconds says all it should.

Otherwise, Sweetener is a very optimistic and upbeat collection of original material. Nine tracks include Grande credits, albeit shared with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott and a crew of top-drawer pens for hire. The Pharrell Williams tracks (Blazed, The Light Is Coming, REM, Successful, Borderline and the title track) have a very modern sophisticated edge and razor-like lyrics.

However, the obvious singles are non-Pharrell numbers Breathin’, No Tears Left To Cry and God Is A Woman, featuring pop mega writer Max Martin. The results are good, more than good, something close to spectacular. Within the space of a year, the former teen-queen has traded in her trademark pussycat ears and candy-floss material for something far more substantial and fulfilling.

Now a serious contender, Ariana is up there with the likes of Mariah Carey and J-Lo. The kids were right a decade ago, Ariana Grande is the real deal, and now Sweetener has soared to the top of the UK and American album charts. On top of her game, Ariana was invited to perform (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman with The Roots at this week’s memorial concert for Aretha Franklin, performing alongside Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Jennifer Hudson.

Ian Sime