The debut album from
Ariana Grande
, 2013's
Yours Truly
, is a surprisingly sophisticated and unique showcase for the Nickelodeon sitcom star's soulful R&B vocals. As the character Cat Valentine on several Nickelodeon television shows including I Carly, Victorious, and Sam & Cat,
Grande
developed a huge fan following and the expectations were high for her debut album. Three years in the making and held up by numerous delays,
lives up to those expectations. Produced by
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
,
is an impeccably engineered affair. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a better platform for
's voice. A resonant singer gifted with a lithe affinity for both high-energy melisma and gentle balladry,
often brings to mind the intonations of
Mariah Carey
. Of course, with
Edmonds
at the helm, along with a bevy of commercially minded songwriters, the
Carey
comparisons are unavoidable and most likely intentional. Thankfully,
has the chops to pull it off, and
makes the most of her talent. To these ends, tracks like the opening "Honeymoon Avenue," with its sophisticated orchestral intro, and the bright and funky "You'll Never Know" sound like lost early-'90s R&B hits. Though
has the talent to carry the album on her own steam, several tracks team her with guest performers, including the single "The Way," which features rapper
Mac Miller
; "Right There" with
Big Sean
; and "Popular Song," featuring
Mika
. Ultimately, cuts like "Baby I" and the jazz-inflected showstopper "Almost Is Never Enough," featuring
the Wanted
's
Nathan Sykes
, are bravura pop recordings that bring to mind the best of the '90s and of now. ~ Matt Collar