A darker Ariana Grande era may be emerging.

Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” has reached #1 on the US iTunes chart, marking a strong commercial response to the single’s release. The track was co-written by Ariana Grande and Ilya Salmanzadeh and presents a noticeably darker tone compared to some of her recent work.

The single has quickly gained attention online, with listeners pointing to its more emotionally complex delivery and moody production. It continues a shift in sound that some fans believe may signal the direction of her upcoming project Petal, which is currently scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

If released as planned, Petal would mark Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album and her first full-length project since 2024’s eternal sunshine. That album included tracks such as “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” and “yes, and?”, both of which contributed to its strong chart performance.

Alongside the new album, Ariana Grande is also preparing for the Eternal Sunshine Tour, which is expected to run through the same period as her upcoming releases. The combination of touring and new music positions 2026 as a busy year for the artist.

For now, “hate that i made you love me” continues to hold strong streaming momentum, with its iTunes performance adding to early indicators of public interest in this new era.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.