The solution to a simple math problem will tell you what Ariana Grande’s new song “34+35” is all about, but the accompanying music video serves as a creative visual aid.
A sci-fi-inspired short movie sees the pop megastar re-engineer herself as a “robotic sex doll,” as the New York Post puts it. Grande dons a white lab coat (and matching stiletto heels) while moving around a lab before bringing her mechanical counterpart to life using electric shocks. Robotic Grande then transforms human Grande and her assistants into a dance troupe sporting fur-lined pastel dresses, velvet gloves and 1960s-style hairdos.
Director X, who has previously worked with Drake and Kanye West, also captured more straightforward shots of Grande and co.’s choreography on a retro polka-dotted set. One particular scene, when Grande drops into the splits and twerks, made for a buzzy viral clip.
As the R&B-style track fades out, Grande casually solves the song’s titular riddle for naive listeners, stating, “It means I wanna 69 with you. Math class.” Just in case the raunchy lyrics in the chorus didn’t already clue them in.
“34+35” is the second single off of Grande’s sixth studio album, Positions, the title track from which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Given the popularity of this music video, “34+35” could rise above its current spot at No. 30 in the coming weeks.
