Ariana Grande soars in groove-heavy, growth-evincing ‘Dangerous Woman’

ARIANA Grande has been accused of pandering to musical trends in her previous albums—but, with a versatile, octave-breaching voice like hers, who can blame her? After all, which other songstress can sing catchy originals (“Baby I”), confidently collaborate with Iggy Azalea (“Problem”), Jessie J and Nicki Minaj (“Bang, Bang”), and sing Mariah Carey revivals (“Emotions”) with as much crowd-pleasing flair, vocal aplomb and bravado?

Ariana is done trying to please everybody, however—as she stresses unapologetically in “I Don’t Care,” a track from her third studio album, “Dangerous Woman.”

In the sultry and seamlessly sung R&B tune, the 22-year-old former Nickelodeon star says she’s no longer affected by her naysayers’ cruel pronouncements: “I used to feel so obligated to be so much more/ I used to let some people tell me how to live/ But, if I can’t be me, then [what the] f**k’s the point?”

If you think Ariana is the same “sugar and spice” kind of singing chick from her “Victorious” and “Yours Truly” heyday, listening to her third studio album, which is expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, quickly disproves that notion—especially in the hip-hop number, “Bad Decisions,” where she happily sheds her wholesome, “nice girl” image.

She’s even darker, sexier and more decisive in her musically delectable collaborations with Lil Wayne (the break-up track, “Let Me Love You”), Future (the sexually charged “Everyday”), Nicki Minaj (“Side to Side,” about following what your heart desires) and the divine Macy Gray (“Leave Me Lonely”).

Change is part of growing up, and being a “dangerous woman,” as she claims in the title track, is merely an expression of growth and maturity— and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing:  “To me, a dangerous woman is someone who is not afraid to take a stand—to be honest and be herself,” she told Billboard.

Has Ariana’s edgier new persona turned her chart-topping pop songs into grim, adult-themed numbers? Well, they evince growth all right (like the ’50s-inspired opener “Moonlight”), but the singer hasn’t forgotten to utilize those exquisite, steely pipes in songs that her loyal followers can groove to—and the good news is, they’re bursting with optimism and good cheer.

Dance aficionados can choose from these formidable bangers and party “uppers”: The marimba-backed “Be Alright” is about overcoming obstacles. If you’re partial to feel-good funk, the Justin Timberlake-channeling “Greedy” won’t disappoint.

Even more infectious is “Into You,” whose irrepressible “house”-infused hooks and positive vibe are guaranteed to bring out the dancer in you.