“Young Ariana run pop.”
It was back in 2016 that Nicki Minaj uttered those words on “Side to Side,” but they’ve never rang truer than in 2019. On her first song of the year, “7 rings,” Ariana Grande proves that statement in spades; the second single from her hotly anticipated album, thank u, next, is a boss bitch anthem that takes no prisoners in its three-minute runtime. Fully embracing the trap influences of her 2018 releases (Sweetener, “thank u, next”), “7 rings” finds the singer flaunting her wealth and her equally boss friends, making sure the listener knows just how blessed she is without a partner in her life.
Flipping the melody of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic “My Favorite Things,” Grande gives the Sound of Music cut a materialistic revamp, with the production underneath supplying an edge to the once harmless piece. Referencing Breakfast at Tiffany’s and all the diamonds a person could want, “7 rings” revels in the opulence fame affords; while the braggadocio (especially from women) can often alienate and irritate listeners, the singer largely avoids this by celebrating her recent independence from men. By staking her claim on her possessions, her relationships, and — most importantly — her money, Grande has crafted an empowering banger that will surely be blasted at every party for the rest of 2019. Just as it should be.
Rating: 5/5