Ariana Grande's seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, explores love, loss, and heartbreak. It is woven with celestial vocals and a blend of pop and R&B influences. Grande is listed as a producer alongside Swedish producer and long-time collaborator Max Martin, who produced 11 out of the 13 songs on the album. Writing this album, Grande was inspired by the 2004 film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," a favorite of her late ex-partner, Mac Miller.
The album unfolds as a concept piece, revealing Grande's introspections on relationships and her recent emotions from her divorce. Ariana released a visual for the track, “We Can’t Be Friends,” which is the second single off the album. The music video follows a similar storyline as the 2004 film, with Grande signing up for a procedure to erase all memories of a previous relationship from her brain. Actor Evan Peters accompanies her in the visual as her love interest. Fans believe this music video ties to her relationship with Mac Miller as toward the end of the video she is left with a dog collar. Ariana adopted Miller’s dog, Myron after his passing.
Starting with the opening track, "intro (end of the world)," Grande sets a contemplative tone, grappling with relationship uncertainty and anxiety. She candidly shares her inner turmoil, questioning the authenticity of her relationship and seeking clarity amidst the chaos of emotions. Grande asks, “How can I tell if I'm in the right relationship? Aren't you really s'posed to know that shit? Feel it in your bones and own that shit? I don't know.”
Grande's vocals shine throughout the album, effortlessly transitioning between emotive ballads and upbeat, catchy melodies. Tracks like "The Boy is Mine" pay homage to R&B classics while infusing Grande's signature pop style, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
One of the album's standout moments occurs in the closing track, "ordinary things," where Grande's grandmother, Nonna, shares wisdom from a lifetime of love and experience. Nonna answers Grande’s question from the intro with insights about love from her own experiences, sharing the advice, “Never go to bed without kissing goodnight. That’s the worst thing to do; don’t ever, ever do that. And if you can’t, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you’re in the wrong place. Get out.” Her voice note adds a deeply personal touch to the album's thematic exploration.
Eternal Sunshine is not only a collection of songs but a journey through the complexities of human connections. Grande's vulnerability and introspection resonate throughout the album, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and healing. With its lush production and heartfelt lyricism, Eternal Sunshine cements Ariana Grande's place as a storyteller of heartbreak.
You can listen to Ariana Grande's new album Eternal Sunshine on Spotify below:
