Ariana Grande Releases New Live Album, k bye for now
Photo by Theo Wargo/GettyAriana Grande’s newest record, thank u, next, made Paste’s list not only of the best pop albums of 2019, but also of the best albums of the year, period. If you’ve burned yourself out putting Grande’s earworms on repeat all year, you’ve got a chance to hear them anew: She’s released a live album, k bye for now, to celebrate the end of her Sweetener World Tour. The 32-track release includes full performances of eight cuts from thank u, next, as well as an interlude incorporating “in my head,” leaving off only “imagine,” “ghostin” and “bloodline.”
k bye for now also includes numerous tracks from Sweetener and Grande’s back catalogue, such as the Nicki Minaj features “Side to Side” and “The Light is Coming,” Big Sean feature “Right There” and Childish Gambino collaboration “Break Your Heart Right Back.” Contrary to several reports, however, the three do not actually make live appearances on these recordings.
k bye for now is now available on streaming services, as well as YouTube. Listen to the first cut, “raindrops (an angel cried),” below.