Pop star Ariana Grande is best known for her blend of old school, Mariah Carey style R&B with modern attitude and popular music. Today (July 2), the "Problem" singer broke all her own rules with the release of her new song "Break Free." The Zedd featuring track from her upcoming sophomore album My Everything is a club banger, EDM-filled nugget of dance bliss.
Grande's sound on "Break Free" is almost completely different from her debut album Yours Truly, as she pulls more from, say, Demi Lovato than her much-cited influence Carey or other old school pop R&B singers. This song is pure 2014 power pop from the bassline in the chorus to the twinkling synth melody to Grande's own earnest vocals.
Atop the heavy, thumping beat courtesy of Zedd, Grande's voice is all high register power, as she floats high above the music. Singing about finally being able to "Break Free" from an old flame, Grande is determined to be a strong, independent woman all by herself, recalling similar empowerment anthems from Destiny's Child and even Gloria Gaynor.
This song is intended for the clubs, pumped up to volume level 11 while the hazy, crazy nightlife surrounds you. And much like "Problem," it's awesome and perfect for the summer.
Listen to Ariana Grande's "Break Free" below, which she premiered tonight (July 2) on a resurrection of MTV's TRL, rebranded Total Ariana Live.
"Break Free" is the second single from Ariana Grande's upcoming album My Everything, set to be releasd on Aug. 25, immediately after the MTV Video Music Awards 2014. The album is currently being led by the summer jam "Problem" (feat. Iggy Azalea) which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
