Watch It Now – Billboard

At midnight, Ariana Grande made her grand return to music with the assertive new single “Sure, And?”

Launched because the lead observe for her forthcoming seventh album, the boundary-setting track makes clear that the pop star is just too busy residing her “genuine life,” as she sings, to be involved with what others are saying.

Within the just-released music video, Grande doubles down. As proven within the teaser clip, a handful of critics are seen coming into an industrial-looking warehouse — and with loads of opinions in hand. “You already know, I believe I favored her higher when her ponytail was just a few centimeters greater,” says one. “I imply, who cares if she’s comfortable? I don’t need comfortable. I would like Ari,” quips one other.

As they’re about to stroll into the room by which they are going to see what Ariana has to current, an earlier group is seen strolling out sweaty and in awe. As the following group takes their seats (below a warmth lamp, no much less, maybe a nod to the type of heated highlight Grande lives below), the digital camera pans to a sequence of stone sculptures earlier than touchdown on one of many pop star entrance and heart.

And far to viewers’ satisfaction, because the music begins, the motionless figures shatter — and out struts Ari.

Sporting a ballet-inspired outfit and character footwear, she completes her look with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul — and the nod doesn’t finish there. The clip, directed by Christian Breslauer, appears to take inspiration from Abdul’s visible for her personal “Chilly Hearted Snake,” leaning deeper into the late-’80s vitality of the track itself.

By the video’s finish, Grande assumes the place her statue was in in the beginning — and simply as she hits the precise pose, she’s turned again to stone. The potential takeaways are plentiful: Is it a commentary on fragility or energy? Is it a reminder that tough exteriors are constructed upon hardship as a method of safety?

There’s actually just one certainty: Regardless of how the message is perceived, Grande doesn’t actually care. She is aware of what it means to her.

Watch the “Sure, And?” video beneath.