Okay, this one is a bit different. I’m a big fan of Ariana Grande, so I try not to miss anything she releases. That’s why, right now, I’ll be talking about her latest release, “Popular”, which is part of the soundtrack for the movie Wicked. The new Wicked movie was released just three days ago, along with its soundtrack.

You can approach this however you like, but I prefer not to listen to entire soundtracks before watching the movie. However, I will listen to one or two tracks beforehand to get a hint of the film's mood.

If you’re familiar with the original Wicked, this track is already a classic. It’s very much a traditional musical song—theatrical, full of strings, emotional vocal shifts meant to enhance storytelling, and layered with orchestral instruments. Unsurprisingly, the track is beautifully produced in terms of sound quality and arrangement. This is the kind of song you either love to immerse yourself in or skip entirely, unless you’re one of those who only hear it within the context of the movie.

The most important aspect of a song like this is the vocal delivery. Ariana was, of course, chosen for this role partly because of her massive fan base, which is great PR for the movie. But she was also picked because she’s an incredibly skilled and versatile vocalist. Singing a musical piece like this is very different from performing soulful pop hits. What really matters is nailing those dramatic, exaggerated shifts in tone that are central to musical storytelling.

You need to sing, but you also have to make your voice convey the emotions and narrative behind the lyrics in a unique way. At the same time, you can’t sing “too perfectly.” Overdoing vocal runs or standing out too much disrupts the balance, as your voice is meant to complement the visuals rather than steal focus. Despite being a mainstream pop artist, Ariana strikes the perfect balance here, showcasing her tastefulness and precision.

Give “Popular” a listen, and then go watch the movie!

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!