Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine (Album Review)

Ariana Grande’s vulnerability beams in “Eternal Sunshine”.

TOP 5

Honorable Mention. Intro (end of the world).

Hands down her best intro yet. Why isn’t this a complete song?

Ariana Grande’s relationship with her Wicked cast mate, Ethan Staler, is no secret, but it’s also no secret that she’s facing heavy backlash from all sides, leaving her to question if it’s worth it. The album’s intro delves into Ariana’s internal struggles and doubts about her current relationship. However, as the album progresses, particularly in the last song, it becomes clear that love, despite its risks, remains a priority for her.

5. eternal sunshine

Let’s face it: any self-titled track by Ariana will always be among the top 5.

“Eternal Sunshine” reflects on the emotional odyssey of Ariana’s previous relationship. It offers a glimpse into their tumultuous dynamic, with Ariana shouldering the blame for his actions and attempts to mend things, while he persists in causing her pain. Ariana grapples with lingering emotions from the past despite both parties moving forward.

The track’s lively trap-pop production harmonizes with the lyrics, encapsulating the sorrow and unease of departure. It underscores the significance of progress, even if it entails letting go without granting forgiveness to one’s former partner.

4. imperfect for you

Ironically, it’s such a flawless love song.

This acoustic-pop and alternative R&B fused love masterpiece reminds us of the beauty in imperfection, especially within love. Ariana’s emotional growth shines as she learns to accept that love isn’t meant to be perfect. Embracing the messiness of her newfound love, she finds happiness despite its imperfections.

3. the boy is mine

It’s official. This is the “Bad Girl” anthem of the year.

Ariana interpolates Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” to offer her rendition of the 90s R&B-Pop style for fans. Drawing from recent rumors and comments about her personal life, she embraces a scandalous persona. Shedding her usual unproblematic image, Ariana portrays a woman determined to win over the man she desires. While the song explores her darker side, it also underscores the lengths she’s willing to go for love.

2. bye

Ariana doesn’t give us time to recover from the intro with “Bye”.

Ariana confronts her apprehension about departing and progressing beyond a bittersweet history. The lyrics, straightforward yet poignant, reflect her narrative of summoning the courage to depart and rediscovering her resilience to forge ahead. This dynamic, celestial pop-disco melody serves as an anthem of empowerment for anyone bidding farewell to the past and embracing the future.

1. Supernatural

I want to love as hard as Ariana Grande.

Similar to the narrative of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Ariana’s love becomes all-consuming, defying explanation or restraint. The track’s production, with its low-tempo hypnotic R&B vibe, intertwines seamlessly with dreamy imagery, depicting the intense physical and emotional connection that envelops her in this transcendent experience.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. intro (end of the world) (5/5)

2. bye (5/5)

3. don’t wanna break up again (3.5/5)

4. saturn returns (interlude) (3/5)

5. eternal sunshine (4.5/5)

6. Supernatural (5/5)

7. true story (3.5/5)

8. the boy is mine (5/5)

9. yes, and? (3/5)

10. we can’t be friends (wait for your love) (3/5)

11. imperfect for you (5/5)

12. i wish i hated you (3.5/5)

13. ordinary things (ft nonna) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B-)

Ariana Grande’s latest album, Eternal Sunshine, offers her perspective on the public’s harsh scrutiny of her current relationship. While the album features bubbly fillers and hints of a dance-house-disco fusion, as heard particularly in tracks like “bye” and “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” her core sound remains heavily influenced by Pop and R&B. This allows her to explore various stylings, from alternative R&B to early-mid Pop-R&B. Despite the angelic, mid-tempo melodies, Ariana doesn’t shy away from sharing the full spectrum of emotions—grief, sadness, and happiness—she experienced in navigating romance.

Unlike her previous album, Positions, this album doesn’t feature any guest appearances, and truth be told, none were needed. The album feels deeply personal, with Ariana’s raw approach to the journey and aftermath of her divorce shining through.

Ariana’s heavenly vocals transport fans to musical heaven. Her airy high notes and soft-spoken tone resonate with those who have experienced the pain of lost love and embraced the lessons learned from past mistakes. Her vocals pair seamlessly with the vibrant, crisp production, perfectly capturing her concept of love. While Ariana excels in twisting R&B into her own artistic vision, her disco-inspired track “Bye” is surprisingly satisfying. It’s an upbeat turn she should explore further in her future work.

Eternal Sunshine draws inspiration from the movie of the same name, where a couple undergoes a medical procedure to erase memories of each other from their minds after a breakup. This parallels Ariana’s own experience of enduring hurt from someone she thought loved her, prompting her to move on and attempt to forget. However, like in the movie, despite the pain caused by love, Ariana cannot give up on it entirely. Her passion for romance drives her to accept her darkest feelings and hope for a brighter future, knowing she deserves better. Her determination to find true happiness with the one she loves resonates with many hopeless romantics like herself.

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