By Jilian Geer
Ariana Grande released her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on March 8th, after fans had anticipated new music since the release of Positions in 2020. The album, which consists of 13 songs, is on the shorter side but is nothing less than spectacular.
Despite stepping back from the spotlight after her last album to focus on other projects, Grande has had an eventful few years between getting married, filming Wicked, and, unfortunately, filing for a divorce.
With the recent backlash she has been receiving for her divorce from Dalton Gomez and new love interest Ethan Slater, Grande has broken her silence with the release of Eternal Sunshine. The album, which was inspired by Eternal Sunshine and The Spotless Mind—a 2004 romance film in which people can undergo an operation to erase specific memories—is a testament to her storytelling abilities as it is filled with emotional lyrics about love, loss, and the feelings that can linger after a breakup.
The album begins with “intro(end of the world),” where Grande acknowledges her inner turmoil by asking questions about whether she is in the right relationship. This sets up the rest of the album for her to reflect on these feelings.
Although the album’s lead single, “Yes, and?” received mixed reviews and sparked controversy, it still reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, “We Can’t be friends (wait for Your Love),” released with the album, is expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video displayed Grande’s lyrical and acting skills as her character receives treatment to forget her ex-boyfriend, who Evan Peters portrayed.
The singer recently turned 30, which is why “Saturn Returns Interlude” explains that when we are born, it takes 29 years for Saturn to make a cycle from our birthdate, and when this happens, it is time to get real about life.
Every time I listen to the album, my favorite song switches, which is a testament to Grande’s musical talent and solidifies my admiration for her work. While I, like many other fans, am disappointed that her leaked song “Fantasize” did not make the album, both “True Story” and “The Boy Is Mine” were great additions that gave the album the same infectious energy.
To help elevate Eternal Sunshine, Grande has recently made appearances on the Zach Sang Show, SNL, and the Oscars. It was great to see her again in the spotlight after working on Wicked.
Critics may argue that Eternal Sunshine is just like every other pop album in the world and lacks dimension; however, Grande’s vulnerability, the emotion she captures, and the work that goes into her studio sessions, along with her vocal layering choices, add depth and make the songs surreal.
When listening to Eternal Sunshine, I am reminded of all the joy and memories that Ariana Grande’s music has brought me through the years. From late-night listens with friends to being a long-time fan who even attended the Dangerous Woman tour, Ariana Grande’s discography has been there for me through the highs and lows of life.
Eternal Sunshine is yet another chapter of Ariana Grande’s career, and we are all fortunate enough to witness her hard work and dedication unfold before our eyes. While we eagerly await what her next chapter brings, I will repeatedly stream Eternal Sunshine and her other albums until then.