Pop singer Ariana Grande released “Yours Truly” (Tenth Anniversary Edition) on Friday, Aug. 25. Grande’s deluxe version of the debut album, “Yours Truly,” released on Aug. 30, 2013, was her first big step in the music industry beyond her identity as a young actress on Nickelodeon. The project left fans excited for new music after her hiatus since her 2020 album, “Positions,” and “Positions (Deluxe)” in 2021.
“Yours Truly” (Tenth Anniversary Edition) includes seven new versions of the 12 songs from the original album, creating a 19 song reissue. Six of the deluxe tracks are live recordings from London of the original album’s most popular songs.
Grande’s live performance of “Honeymoon Avenue – Live from London” takes the initial opening track and brings a magical new life to the song. She sings about being in a car with her partner and missing the honeymoon phase of their relationship. She wishes they drove back to Honeymoon Avenue, because she feels hopeless with their relationship now.
“I feel like my heart is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic / I’m under pressure, ‘cause I can’t / have you the way that I want / Let’s just go back to the way it was / When we were on honeymoon avenue,” Grande sings.
The live instrumentation and harmonies bring a modern flare, finishing with a gorgeous orchestra to recount the memories and nostalgia of the song.
“Tattooed Heart – Live from London” honors the original production of the song with a live performance showcasing fresh and powerful vocal runs.
“Wrap me in your jacket / my baby / and lay me in your bed / and kiss me underneath the moonlight / darling let me trace the lines on your tattooed heart,” Grande sings.
The song has simple lyrics about love and romance but is performed in a breathtaking way. Grande’s partner is flawed, but when they spend time together and do not feel the need to impress each other with materialistic things, their relationship becomes even more special.
Other notable live performances from Grande include, “Daydreamin’ – Live from London,” “Baby I – Live from London,” and “Right There – Live from London (feat. Big Sean),” allowing listeners to recount their memories with the songs and enjoy them a decade later. The nostalgia of Grande’s older lyrics and production compared to her clear and healthy new vocals give fans a unique rollercoaster of emotions.
”The Way – Live from London (feat. Mac Miller)” is featured as the most popular radio single of the 2013 album but also stands out from the other tracks with its praise for the rapper Mac Miller, who developed a close connection with Grande on the record until he passed away in 2018. Grande adjusted the production on Miller’s verse from the original to be more slow and orchestral as a tribute to his passing, finishing the album with more emotional intimacy than ever before.
Grande’s development of her four octave range, breath control and pronunciation since the original album reflects on who she used to be and who she is now. Representing a decade of music, this project shapes a generation of fans from the start of her career.
Grande offers a fresh production to a previous album inspired by ‘90s soul, hip hop, Hollywood strings and Doo-wop. Striking horn riffs, high notes and incredible new vocal performances from Grande make “Yours Truly (Tenth Anniversary Edition)” a reissue worth revisiting.