Ariana Grande ended her 4-year break from music with her new album eternal sunshine on March 8, 2024. Amongst wrapping up filming for Wicked with her role of Glinda and extreme accusations and rumors surrounding her love life, this album can only be described as a breath of fresh air. She has described it as a concept album inspired by the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) delving into the idea of “Saturn return,” the time where Saturn returns to the same position it was in at your birth, a process that takes about 30 years. Considering Ariana celebrated her 30th birthday in 2023, this is extremely fitting. Ariana sings, writes, produces, composes, and programs on this album, making it one of her most involved projects to date.
1. “intro (end of the world)”
This intro is hands down one of the best to come out of Ariana Grande’s discography. It is mixed and composed beautifully and holds so much vocal power. She asks questions that open up the dialogue and story that is told throughout the album. Overall, an amazing start. 10/10.
This intro is hands down one of the best to come out of Ariana Grande’s discography. It is mixed and composed beautifully and holds so much vocal power. She asks questions that open up the dialogue and story that is told throughout the album. Overall, an amazing start. 10/10.
2. “bye”
If I am being honest, this song is my least favorite off the album. It just is a little too bubble gum pop for me, almost like a song that you would hear while shopping at the mall. It has grown on me a little bit, but overall, with the repetitive and unimaginative lyrics, it is very forgettable and cannot compare to the rest of the tracks on the album. 3/10.
If I am being honest, this song is my least favorite off the album. It just is a little too bubble gum pop for me, almost like a song that you would hear while shopping at the mall. It has grown on me a little bit, but overall, with the repetitive and unimaginative lyrics, it is very forgettable and cannot compare to the rest of the tracks on the album. 3/10.
3. “don’t wanna break up again”
This song is one of my absolute favorites off the album. In the song, she describes how she and her partner are having hard times, but she still wants to be with them and not to break up. This song has a very upbeat feel while also delving into deep emotion, much like Ariana’s style. Coupled with her ethereal vocals and insightful lyrics, the song is one of the best on the album. 10/10.
This song is one of my absolute favorites off the album. In the song, she describes how she and her partner are having hard times, but she still wants to be with them and not to break up. This song has a very upbeat feel while also delving into deep emotion, much like Ariana’s style. Coupled with her ethereal vocals and insightful lyrics, the song is one of the best on the album. 10/10.
4. Saturn Returns Interlude”
This interlude for the album includes an excerpt from a YouTube video by Diana Garland describing the concept of Saturn Returns. The entire song, spanning 42 seconds, has a feel of traveling through space and time, a very fitting vibe for this track. 9/10.
This interlude for the album includes an excerpt from a YouTube video by Diana Garland describing the concept of Saturn Returns. The entire song, spanning 42 seconds, has a feel of traveling through space and time, a very fitting vibe for this track. 9/10.
5. “eternal sunshine”
In “eternal sunshine,” Ariana recounts how her ex-relationship, most likely her ex-husband Dalton Gomez, is something that haunts her and that she wishes to wipe from her mind completely. The song itself has a fast beat and suggests some alarming things about her relationship with Dalton. The lyric “hope you feel alright when you’re in her” even suggests that he cheated on her, something that is very surprising considering the homewrecker accusations that have been thrown at her for the past 6 months. Overall, the song paired with the catchy beat and lyrics is a great addition to the album. 7/10.
In “eternal sunshine,” Ariana recounts how her ex-relationship, most likely her ex-husband Dalton Gomez, is something that haunts her and that she wishes to wipe from her mind completely. The song itself has a fast beat and suggests some alarming things about her relationship with Dalton. The lyric “hope you feel alright when you’re in her” even suggests that he cheated on her, something that is very surprising considering the homewrecker accusations that have been thrown at her for the past 6 months. Overall, the song paired with the catchy beat and lyrics is a great addition to the album. 7/10.
6. “supernatural”
“Supernatural” embodies an atmosphere that is exactly that: supernatural. The song, much like “Saturn Returns Interlude” feels like a trip through space and time. With the R&B type beat and light background vocals, this song is definitely in my favorites. In it, Ariana describes how her partner makes her feel, and it is inferred that it is about Ethan Slater, her costar that she has been rumored to have a relationship with. Overall, 10/10.
“Supernatural” embodies an atmosphere that is exactly that: supernatural. The song, much like “Saturn Returns Interlude” feels like a trip through space and time. With the R&B type beat and light background vocals, this song is definitely in my favorites. In it, Ariana describes how her partner makes her feel, and it is inferred that it is about Ethan Slater, her costar that she has been rumored to have a relationship with. Overall, 10/10.
7. “true story”
Hands down, this is one of the best songs on the album. Whether it be the bass and powerful vocals or ballad-like lyrics, this song is amazing. It is a soft response to all of the gossip that has surrounded her and her life through the media. This is definitely one of my favorite songs because of the drastic switch it has in the climate of the album. This song feels angry and powerful, a lot like some of her earlier music, especially from Dangerous Woman. 10/10.
Hands down, this is one of the best songs on the album. Whether it be the bass and powerful vocals or ballad-like lyrics, this song is amazing. It is a soft response to all of the gossip that has surrounded her and her life through the media. This is definitely one of my favorite songs because of the drastic switch it has in the climate of the album. This song feels angry and powerful, a lot like some of her earlier music, especially from Dangerous Woman. 10/10.
8. “the boy is mine”
This song is giving the people what they wanted from Ariana. As many know from TikTok, a demo by Ariana Grande titled “fantasize” was leaked. The demo was just that: a demo for a TV show theme that was never supposed to be released to the public. Nevertheless, people loved it. “The boy is mine” is supposed to be the ‘fantasize’ of the album. In my opinion, the song is good but not the best: “fantasize” is better, but “the boy is mine” is still very good. I love the instrumental and the dance feel of the song. It embodies the ‘bad girl’ aesthetic that she was trying to convey. All in all, 8/10.
This song is giving the people what they wanted from Ariana. As many know from TikTok, a demo by Ariana Grande titled “fantasize” was leaked. The demo was just that: a demo for a TV show theme that was never supposed to be released to the public. Nevertheless, people loved it. “The boy is mine” is supposed to be the ‘fantasize’ of the album. In my opinion, the song is good but not the best: “fantasize” is better, but “the boy is mine” is still very good. I love the instrumental and the dance feel of the song. It embodies the ‘bad girl’ aesthetic that she was trying to convey. All in all, 8/10.
9. “yes, and?”
“Yes, and?” is the lead single off eternal sunshine and definitely makes a statement. The song has a house beat and is very peppy. On my first listen, my reaction was not that great. I thought, much like “bye,” that it sounded like mall music, and that she definitely has better songs and this was not a good representation of her artistry. But after listening to the album and therefore the song a lot more, I must admit that it has grown on me. The song is extremely catchy and very fun to listen to. It definitely is not the best song on the album, but it is a great single. 6/10.
“Yes, and?” is the lead single off eternal sunshine and definitely makes a statement. The song has a house beat and is very peppy. On my first listen, my reaction was not that great. I thought, much like “bye,” that it sounded like mall music, and that she definitely has better songs and this was not a good representation of her artistry. But after listening to the album and therefore the song a lot more, I must admit that it has grown on me. The song is extremely catchy and very fun to listen to. It definitely is not the best song on the album, but it is a great single. 6/10.
10. “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Winner of the fan favorite award goes without a doubt to “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”. The amount of times I have blasted this song while dancing around my bedroom in such a short period of time is a testament to that. The song immediately gained popularity since many could relate to the song—considering the plague of situationships among our generation—and many social media trends popped up because of this. The song itself describes wanting to not only forget a relationship but live in ignorance of it. Overall, this was an amazing song and deserves a solid 9/10.
Winner of the fan favorite award goes without a doubt to “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”. The amount of times I have blasted this song while dancing around my bedroom in such a short period of time is a testament to that. The song immediately gained popularity since many could relate to the song—considering the plague of situationships among our generation—and many social media trends popped up because of this. The song itself describes wanting to not only forget a relationship but live in ignorance of it. Overall, this was an amazing song and deserves a solid 9/10.
11. “i wish i hated you”
Quite literally, this song takes my breath away every time I hear it. The song talks about the struggles that Ariana has with her past relationships and dealing with the fact that she still has feelings for these people. It conveys that relationships ending is no one person’s fault. With its soft instrumental and smooth lyrics and vocals, this song feels like a feather blowing through the air. 8/10.
Quite literally, this song takes my breath away every time I hear it. The song talks about the struggles that Ariana has with her past relationships and dealing with the fact that she still has feelings for these people. It conveys that relationships ending is no one person’s fault. With its soft instrumental and smooth lyrics and vocals, this song feels like a feather blowing through the air. 8/10.
12. “imperfect for you”
This lovely ballad feels like something straight out of Grande’s first studio album Yours Truly, and it is a much needed throwback. In “imperfect for you,” Ariana sings about unconditional love and being comfortable with imperfection in relationships. It is such a beautiful and heartfelt song and just altogether adorable. 8/10.
This lovely ballad feels like something straight out of Grande’s first studio album Yours Truly, and it is a much needed throwback. In “imperfect for you,” Ariana sings about unconditional love and being comfortable with imperfection in relationships. It is such a beautiful and heartfelt song and just altogether adorable. 8/10.
13. “ordinary things”
The final track on the album is “ordinary things,” another song that seems to be a combination of the vibes of Yours Truly and Positions. She sings about how nothing can be just another mundane thing with someone that you love, and that every moment is cherished. In the outro of the song, you can hear her grandmother, aka Nonna, describe how she felt for her husband. In this description, you can also hear the answers to the questions asked in the intro of the album, “intro (end of the world)”. This brings the entire album together and provides a full circle moment that completes the story perfectly. 9/10.
The final track on the album is “ordinary things,” another song that seems to be a combination of the vibes of Yours Truly and Positions. She sings about how nothing can be just another mundane thing with someone that you love, and that every moment is cherished. In the outro of the song, you can hear her grandmother, aka Nonna, describe how she felt for her husband. In this description, you can also hear the answers to the questions asked in the intro of the album, “intro (end of the world)”. This brings the entire album together and provides a full circle moment that completes the story perfectly. 9/10.
In conclusion, Ariana’s return to the studio and the music industry with this album was a choice well made. Throughout the album, whether it be the storytelling, the production, the vocals, or the lyrics, she outdoes herself time and time again. There is no doubt that this album is one of the best projects that she has released. With the upcoming release date of Wicked on November 27, 2024, I can only hope that we will continue to get new content from Grande. But for now, this album is an amazing addition to her already seamless discography. 10/10.