In 2024, actress and singer Ariana Grande released her seventh studio album, “eternal sunshine,” a project marked with whimsical production and heart-wrenching songwriting. The album was a personal favorite from Grande’s discography and the addition of the deluxe tracks added a fresh perspective on the existing themes of heartbreak and healing. The deluxe edition includes six new tracks, ranging from trap-influenced beats to tender piano ballads, showcasing Grande’s versatility and impeccable songwriting.
“intro (end of the world) extended”
The extended version of the album’s opener offers fresh insight into the end of Grande’s marriage with details that were absent from the standard version. While technically still the same song, the added verses feel entirely new, deepening the emotional impact and enhancing the song’s overall message. The fast-paced shift into the extended lyrics and production mirrors the emotional turbulence of oscillating between acceptance and questioning the true intentions behind a past relationship.
“twilight zone”
Serving as the lead single for the deluxe edition, “twilight zone” opens with dreamy, atmospheric production qualities followed by synth-pop beats. The track explores themes of deception, as Grande reflects on a past relationship and questions the intentions of herself and her partner. The lyricism on this album stands out as some of the strongest and most revealing in Grande’s discography. On this track specifically, lyrics such as, “Sometimes I just can’t believe you happened,” were eye-widening for fans as it offered more insight into her thoughts regarding her ex-husband.
“warm”
Warm is a classic pop song that offers a more up-beat tempo. It’s similar to the track “supernatural” as both songs involve themes of love, an outlier compared to the heavier tone found throughout “eternal sunshine.” One of the song’s highlights is Grande’s wispy and airy vocals when singing the pre-chorus, adding a dream-like quality to the track. This song offers lyrics on self reflection and independence while also expressing comfort in starting a new relationship. While it’s not a personal favorite, it’s a track I often find myself coming back to as it offers an easy listening experience partnered with polished vocal production.
“dandelion”
On first listen, “dandelion” feels both unexpected but rewarding. It opens with a trumpet, giving the impression of a jazz song, however the beat quickly evolves into a trap-influenced track that is reminiscent of Grande’s previous “thank u, next,” era. With sultry vocals and lyrics full of innuendos, this song stands apart from the rest of the deluxe edition, adding a promiscuous edge to the album’s deep, emotional themes.
“past life”
Past life is a personal favorite of mine–possibly my favorite track on the “eternal sunshine” album. It begins with dark, mysterious production before moving into a stunning pre-chorus featuring Grande’s powerful belts. The song explores themes of letting go and self-discovery accompanied by a string-led instrumental and rich harmonies. Like the album cover, “past life” exudes the feeling of levitating due to its layered vocals and moody production.
“Hampstead”
Serving as the closing track of the album, “Hampstead,” is the name of the city in which Grande resided during her time filming “Wicked”. The song has been noted to be Grande’s favorite song she’s written. Unlike the whimsical production that is present in much of the album, this track is stripped down to a piano ballad, giving a spotlight to Grande’s raw vocals and emotional lyricism. It isn’t about romance, but rather a direct message to the media, similar to the track “true story,” on the standard edition. Lyrics such as “But I find something sweet in your peculiar behavior, ‘cause I think to be so dumb must be nice,” takes a stab at the relentless backlash Grande received in 2023 during her divorce and new relationship. Though slow in tempo, this song is an emotional rollercoaster and powerful closing statement, showcasing some of Grande’s most vulnerable writing.
