Ariana Grande | Thank U, Next (2019)

It was released six months after her fourth studio album Sweetener (2018), conceived in the midst of Grande's personal struggles, including the death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and the end of her engagement to Pete Davidson.

Grande began working on the album in October 2018, enlisting writers and producers such as Tommy Brown, Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh and Pop Wansel. With Thank U, Next, Grande distanced herself from the traditional promotion cycle that she employed for her previous album releases.

Musically, the album is predominantly pop, R&B, and trap, with influences from hip hop. It was described as Grande's most personal record up to that point, with lyrical content reflecting on personal flaws, grief and denial, as well as independence and self-empowerment.

The album was preceded by two singles, the title track and "7 Rings", both of which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Grande's first two number-one songs in the United States. "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" became the third single on the day of the album's release, peaking at number two on the Hot 100.

All of the album's twelve tracks entered the Hot 100, with the singles occupying the top three spots, making Grande the first soloist to achieve this feat. The album topped the charts in various countries, and broke many streaming records upon release, including the records for the largest weekly streams for a pop album and a female album in the United States.

It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and landed at number two on the US Billboard 200 Year-End chart of 2019. Globally, it was the eighth best-selling album of 2019, and fourth best-selling album by a female artist.

Upon its release, Thank U, Next received critical acclaim, with praise on its cohesiveness, the production and Grande's vulnerability throughout the record. Named by Rolling Stone, Billboard and People as 2019's best album, it was included in numerous publications' year-end and decade-end lists.

In support of both Sweetener and Thank U, Next, Grande embarked on the Sweetener World Tour, beginning on March 18, 2019. The concert tour was commercially successful, grossing over $146 million from 97 shows.

Thank U, Next and its songs received nominations for four Grammy Awards, including those for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.