Ariana Grande

A preview of Ariana Grande’s new song, “Almost is Never Enough”, has been floating around the web for weeks and she even performed the tune in its entirety during The Listening Sessions Tour. However, the full recorded version featuring The Wanted’s Nathan Sykes has finally been released.

Simple yet sublime, “Almost is Never Enough” showcases the various dimensions of Grande’s voice, which shines without the added layers of studio production and stacked harmonies that laced her hit singles “The Way (Ft. Mac Miller)” and “Baby I”. Yet, there is one undeniable drawback to “Almost is Never Enough”: it is a blatant ripoff of Mariah Carey’s “Never Forget You” from the 1993 Music Box album.

Regardless of the similarities, there is no denying Grande’s skill as a singer and her importance as a possible icon for the young generation of music fans who aren’t familiar with Carey’s early recordings and desperately need a voice to admire. You know, the role that Christina Aguilera tried and failed to fill with her Lotus album. Indeed, Grande’s voice may not be as big as Aguilera’s but she certainly knows how to belt a note without screaming.

Grande will perform at the 2013 MTV VMA pre-show on August 25 and release her Yours Truly debut album on September 3.