Ariana Grande, a Pop Star for the Post-Pop Star Age

Ariana Grande’s sixth album, “Positions,” simply debuted on the prime of the Billboard album chart.

The 27-year-old musician has taken an uncommon and singular path to pop stardom: She was a toddler TV star, then a big-voiced R&B ingénue earlier than changing into one thing like a full-spectrum pop aspirant. Extra not too long ago, she’s been a performer and songwriter who pairs intimacy, casualness and rigorous expertise.

On this week’s Popcast, a dialog about Grande’s distinctive profession, how she expands the vary of what a recent pop star will be, her relationship to R&B and hip-hop, and extra.

Friends:

• Lindsay Zoladz, who writes about music for Gadget Clock and others

• Shaad D’Souza, who writes about music for The Fader and others