Pleasure and Pain: Ariana Grande: “Side to Side”

With its pop/reggae sensibility, Ariana Grande’s “Side to Side,” featuring Nicki Minaj, is another solid track from Dangerous Woman. The singer performed the provocative “Side to Side” as part of “Vevo Presents” and showcases how good this song is and, once again, proves she’s got a vocal gift. Other musical highlights: double-time handclaps at “These friends/keep talking way too much…” offset by a slow-groove, reggae scratch; pulsating bass guitar; the backup harmonies at “’Cause tonight I’m making deals with the devil/And I know it’s gonna get me in trouble.” “Side to Side” hits the pop bull’s eye straight on.