Positions

Positions is the sixth studio album by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on October 30, 2020. Grande created the album with focus on her vocals, while its subject matter conveyed emotional healing.Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grande worked with numerous producers on Positions, including frequent collaborator Tommy Brown, accompanied by longtime co-writers Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx.Positions is built around themes of sexual intimacy, romantic devotion and endearment. Musically, it expands on the trap-infused R&B and pop sound of its predecessors, Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019). Doja Cat, the Weeknd, and Ty Dolla Sign appear as guest features, alongside Megan Thee Stallion on the deluxe edition. Upon release, Positions was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics; Grande's vocal performance was often praised, though the album's lyrics and production style drew criticism. Publications ranked Positions on various year-end best albums lists of 2020.

The title track was released as the lead single, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and marked Grande's fifth number-one single in the United States, making her the only act with five number-one debuts on the chart. The song was her third Hot 100 chart-topper in 2020, following "Stuck with U" and "Rain on Me". All 14 tracks on Positions charted simultaneously on the Hot 100, with the second single, "34+35", arriving at number eight on the chart and peaking at number two, following the release of its remix with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. With the debut of Positions atop the Billboard 200, Grande earned her fifth number one album in the United States. It spent two consecutive weeks at number one in the country, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for earning over a million album-equivalent units. Elsewhere, Positions reached the top spot in Argentina, Canada, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. In 2021, Positions was promoted by a series of performances of its tracks, presented by Vevo, and the release of "POV" to U.S. adult contemporary radio as the third single.