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| Recorded = May 2015
| Recorded = May 2015
| Genre = {{flat list |
| Genre = {{flat list |
* [[Pop music|Pop]]}}
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
}}
| Length = {{Duration|m=3|s=31}}
| Length = {{Duration|m=3|s=31}}
| Label = [[Republic Records|Republic]]
| Label = [[Republic Records|Republic]]

Revision as of 09:44, 4 November 2015

"Focus"
Song

"Focus" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande, released on October 30, 2015. It serves as the lead single for her upcoming third studio album Moonlight.[1] The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Ilya.

Promotion

Grande posted an unfocused picture of herself on Instagram in July 2015 with the caption "focus", stating it was a hint. Grande officially announced the single during her September 15, 2015 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and revealed that it would be released on October 30, 2015.[2][3]

Grande started revealing parts of the song's lyrics, video and audio previews of the song, as well as pixelated versions of the single's cover in early October through Instagram and Twitter. She revealed the official "Focus" single art cover on October 14, 2015. A week before its release date, a 15-second section of the track was used in a commercial for her debut fragrance, Ari by Ariana Grande.[4]

Composition

The song is built on stabbing big-band brass, slick synths and clanging percussion.[5] The song's structure has been heavily compared to Grande's previous lead single, "Problem", from her album My Everything.[6][7] "Focus" features uncredited vocals from Jamie Foxx.[8]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Focus" received mixed reviews from music critics. Kaitlyn Tiffany from The Verge commented positively saying, "As Ariana Grande is a massively talented vocalist, the song "Focus" itself is very pleasant to listen to".[9] Brennan Carley of Spin had a mixed opinion, commenting that the song was a "catchy slow-burn", describing it as a "horn heavy piece of retro-modern fusion". However, he also noted that Grande's vocals "[lacked] any real excitement from a star who’s got the restraint and skill to take her instrument places most other pop singers can’t anymore". He criticized the "male howling the faux-chorus" for "[getting] grating quickly" and for making "Focus" too similar to Grande's previous lead single "Problem".[10] Time's Nolan Feeney also commented it for being similar to "Problem", but noted that this might not be a bad thing, saying: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it—no need for Grande to check her vision here".[11]

Music video

Hannah Lux Davis directed the song's music video, which was released on the same date. She had previously directed other music videos of Grande such as "Love Me Harder" and her joint single "Bang Bang."[12]

Track listing

  • CD Maxi single (Japan-only)[13]
  1. "Focus"
  2. "Focus (Karaoke Version)"
  3. "アリアナから日本語メッセージ" (Japanese messages from Ariana in English)
  • Digital download[14]
  1. "Focus" – 3:31

Release formats

The Japanese CD Maxi single set includes:

Regular Edition[13]
  • One discs (CD single)
  • A mini-calendar
  • A mini-poster
Deluxe/Limited Edition[15]
  • One discs (CD single)
  • A poster
  • An A7-sized notebook

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions, catalog number and reference
Region Date Format Label Catalog number Ref.
Worldwide October 30, 2015 (2015-10-30) Digital download Republic None [14]
United States November 2, 2015 (2015-11-02) Hot adult contemporary [16]
November 3, 2015 (2015-11-03) Contemporary hit radio [17]
Italy November 6, 2015 (2015-11-06) Universal Music [18]
Japan December 4, 2015 (2015-12-04) CD Maxi single (Regular Edition) UICU-5016 [13]
CD Maxi single (Deluxe/Limited Edition) UICU-9081 [15]

References

  1. ^ Mike eWass (September 17, 2015). "Ariana Grande Confirms Release Date Of New Single "Focus"". Idolator.com. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  2. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (August 6, 2015). "Ariana Grande to Release 'Focus on Me' Single from 'Moonlight' Album: Report". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  3. ^ Goodman, Jessica (September 16, 2015). "Ariana Grande announces new single, 'Focus'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  4. ^ "Ariana Grande Teases 'Focus' In Debut Perfume Ad". fuse. October 20, 2015.
  5. ^ "Hear Ariana Grande's Brash, Brassy New Song 'Focus'". Rolling Stone. https://plus.google.com/+rollingstone. Retrieved 2015-10-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Carley, Brennan. "Ariana Grande Returns With 'Focus,' the First Taste of New Album 'Moonlight'". Spin. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  7. ^ Maslow, Nick. "Ariana Grande Turns Up the Heat in New 'Focus' Music Video". People. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  8. ^ "The Mystery Man on Ariana Grande's 'Focus' Has Been Revealed". MTV. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  9. ^ "Ariana Grande and the Galaxy Note 5 just dropped a new music video". The Verge. Vox Media. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  10. ^ "Ariana Grande Returns With 'Focus,' the First Taste of New Album 'Moonlight' | SPIN". Spin. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  11. ^ "Watch the Video for Ariana Grande's New Single 'Focus'". Time. Time Inc. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  12. ^ "Ariana Grande Drops New Single 'Focus'". Billboard. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c "CDJapan: Focus [Regular Edition] by Ariana Grande". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Focus – Single by Ariana Grande". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 30, 2015. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  15. ^ a b "CDJapan: Focus -Deluxe Edition [Limited Edition] by Ariana Grande". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  16. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC > Future Releases". Allaccess.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  17. ^ "Top 40 | Ariana Grande "Focus" | Republic Playbook". Republic Records. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "Focus ARIANA GRANDE - Radio Date". Radioairplay.fm. Retrieved November 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); line feed character in |title= at position 6 (help)
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