 At Metacritic , which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 based on ratings and reviews from mainstream critics , the album received an average of 81 , based on 9 reviews , indicating " universal acclaim " . At AllMusic , Matt Collar rated the album four stars out of five , saying that Yours Truly was " surprisingly sophisticated and unique " which showcases Grande 's soulful R & B vocals . He stated that the album often " brings to mind the intonations of Mariah Carey which are most likely intentional . " Collar closed the statement saying that Yours Truly " makes the most of her talent . " Nick Catucci of Entertainment Weekly graded the album an A- , calling the album " pure pop bliss " and " one of the most purely enjoyable albums of the year " that is powered by her " lithe , Broadway @-@ honed voice " . At The New York Times , Jon Caramanica gave a positive review of the album , writing that television shows such as American Idol and Glee " have been responsible for an intense surge of interest in music on television , but they haven 't left much of a mark on the shape of pop . That 's because both shows are fundamentally conservative institutions , privileging the familiar and the unchallenging . They 're about emulating , not innovating . " Caramanica commended Grande for becoming the first " identifiable pop star " who takes the " rules of those enterprises , uses them as a foundation , and innovates atop them ... She uses the " Glee " / " Idol " template as a jumping @-@ off point to make modern pop @-@ R & B with a sturdy vintage backbone . " 
