By Alexa Nolasco, March 26, 2024
Ariana Grande returns to the music scene after four years with her latest album, “Eternal Sunshine” bringing upbeat melodies, heartfelt lyrics and undeniable talent.
Grande’s seventh studio album and her first full-length release since 2020, features 13 songs. The extended version, which she calls “slightly deluxe,” features 17 songs. Recorded in 2023, both regular and extended albums were officially released March 8 under Republic Records.
Produced in collaboration with acclaimed names in the music industry like Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Oscar Görres, the album is a blend of pop and R&B, with a touch of dance music like synth-pop and house. It also has mid-tempo synthesizers and some guitar and string features, evoking a playful tune.
This album gives a modern take on 70s- 90s music. Grande seamlessly combines retro influences into her own sound, including funky disco beats and smooth R&B ballads.
It is also accompanied by the features of well-known artists like Troye Sivan and Mariah Carey.
This album stands out with these collaborations because it features two iconic artists from two different generations. They add a nostalgic charm and contemporary edge to the album, appealing to fans of all ages.
“Eternal Sunshine” carries a significant meaning with its title, paying homage to the film, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” This film explores the idea of erasing memories after a breakup and follows a couple’s journey as they undergo a procedure to remove memories of each other.
This theme of memory and loss resonates deeply throughout Grande’s album, creating a powerful connection. Grande referenced this inspiration in her “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” music video, where she gets her memories erased. This adds an extra layer of meaning to the album.
Through heartfelt lyrics, Grande shares her raw and vulnerable side, offering fans a deeper understanding of her struggles and what she goes through in her romantic relationships. In “Eternal Sunshine,” Grande explores themes of a failed relationship, widely believed to reference her marriage to Dalton Gomez.
After the drama circulating the internet with Ariana Grande leaving her husband for Wicked co-star- Ethan Slater, this album is said to offer Grande’s perspective and her side of the story. Despite much criticism surrounding her relationship with Slater, the album reveals her genuine emotions and sheds light on how she felt with her now ex-husband.
There are also a few love songs about new and flourishing relationships. A notable track titled “The Boy Is Mine,” captures the essence of newfound love, with Grande expressing her vulnerability and willingness to take accountability for her emotions.
Lines like “Promise you I’m not usually like this … but I can’t ignore my heart, boy” lead many to speculate that this song is inspired by Grande’s real-life romance with Slater, as the lyrics seem to mirror the dynamics of their blossoming relationship.
Grande’s songs released prior to this album have been bold and upbeat with tracks like “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” and “Positions.” In this album, Grande maintains this signature upbeat sound with heartfelt storytelling. Tracks like “Don’t Wanna Break up Again” have lyrics like, “spent so much on therapy /with my own codependency / but you didn’t even try/ When you finally did, it was at the wrong time” showcasing themes of being disappointed in relationships and dealing with personal struggles.
“Eternal Sunshine” gets into the good, the bad- and everything in between, showing us parts of our own lives in her songs. Grande gets to the core of what it’s like to be in a relationship, helping people all over the world feel like they’re not the only ones going through tough times, as she expresses emotions we’ve all had.
“Eternal Sunshine,” is a captivating journey that explores themes of love and loss.
Feature image courtesy of Rolling Stone