Ariana Grande, 2014’s breakout pop star, was jolted to public attention last May following a terror attack at her Manchester concert. The ISIS-led bombing shocked the world, with 22 audience members perishing and more than 100 injured.

This tragedy could have sent Grande into an endless downward spiral, but in the weeks following the bombing, she worked to organize “One Love Manchester,” a benefit concert in Manchester featuring many celebrities aiming to raise money for the families of the victims. The concert was a major success, and Grande was praised for her commitment to healing Manchester’s broken community.

Now almost a year later, Grande’s comeback single “No Tears Left to Cry” captures this healing spirit, fusing melancholy and optimism to craft an uplifting pop song that subverts expectations and redefines Grande’s artistic identity.

Fitting with its title, “No Tears Left to Cry” starts as a somber, enchanting ballad, before unexpectedly increasing the tempo (quite literally “picking it up”), quickly morphing into a UK-inspired dance track that draws influence from ’90s R&B and funk. In addition to the change in tempo, “No Tears Left To Cry” features a modulated chorus, meaning the verses and chorus are in different key signatures, a musical trend that has been absent from the mainstream for the past couple decades.

Matching the song’s shapeshifting production, Grande’s voice swiftly entertains various tonalities throughout the song, bouncing from melancholic wails to swagger-laden, rap-style speaking. Her singing voice sounds more mature than ever before, and Grande’s experimentation overall is a radical shift from the calculated, manufactured-pop of her third album, “Dangerous Woman.”

While ultimately a solid comeback single, “No Tears Left to Cry” is not Grande’s most immediate tune. The lack of a hard-hitting chorus is a clever songwriting choice that proves deceptively catchy upon repeated listens, but ultimately sacrifices instant appeal in favor of creativity.

An anthem of hope and positivity, “No Tears Left to Cry” is the kind of song our world needs right now, touching on last year’s Manchester tragedy while promoting optimism and resilience for those who feel hopeless amidst difficult times in general. Mature, vibey, and experimental, if “No Tears Left to Cry” is any indication, Grande’s upcoming fourth album will no doubt yield the massive success she’s rightfully earned.

“No Tears Left to Cry:” ★★★★☆