What makes The Light Is Coming by Ariana Grande notable?

The song features a prominent collaboration with Nicki Minaj, highlighting the ongoing trend of female empowerment in pop music. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking another commercial success for Grande and contributing to the cultural dialogue around collaborative female artistry in the industry. Released as a single from her fourth studio album, 'Sweetener', this track came after Grande's massive success with 'Thank U, Next'. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a leading pop figure while experimenting with new sounds and collaborations.

How many songs are on The Light Is Coming?

The Light Is Coming has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

The Light Is Coming

Ariana Grande · 2018

3 min · 1 track · contemporary R&B

A vibrant blend of pop and electronica, pulsating with rhythms that invite both dancing and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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the light is coming — The track showcases an infectious blend of dance-pop elements and a strong vocal performance from Grande, encapsulating the album's theme of resilience and empowerment.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The track combines catchy hooks with a danceable beat but lacks depth for lasting engagement.

What we noticed

The track features a repetitive, syncopated beat that drives the rhythm forward while layering synths create a vibrant soundscape.
Nicki Minaj's verse is interspersed with Grande's vocals, creating a call-and-response dynamic that emphasizes collaboration.
The song employs a minimalist structure, focusing on hooks and rhythmic elements rather than complex melodies.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid single that showcases her evolving sound but isn't a standout entry point.
Moods: Energetic· Euphoric
Career context: Released as a single from her fourth studio album, 'Sweetener', this track came after Grande's massive success with 'Thank U, Next'. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a leading pop figure while experimenting with new sounds and collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: Dua Lipa· Jessie Ware· Tinashe