The double punch of Dangerous Woman x Be Alright. Why did Focus (or the donut) have to destroy Ariana?
Be Alright is a mess, it needs to be at least a minute longer and the production sounds unfinished. Dangerous Woman SLAYS. Let Me Love You and DW are the true power duo.
So can someone tell me why the production on hip-hop/rap/R&B tracks is better than pop 110% of the time, though?
Like ****, even Nicki with Right By My Side. Drake's **** in general. Plenty more - what is it that usual pop producers are missing? What do they lack? I don't fully understand.
I wouldn't say a "dud" but not for everyone, and not for every mood either. Most criticisms i'm witnessing is that it's "boring, too long, sounds the same". There are a lot of slow songs on the album If people like Drake's singing it'll be fine.
Why did Focus (or the donut) have to destroy Ariana? 
