Pop superstar Ariana Grande, 30, just released her new album Eternal Sunshine this past Friday, March 8, 2024. I must say I am pretty impressed with the production of the album, Ariana’s stunning voice (as usual), her creativity, and her manner of displaying raw emotions through her lyrics.
For starters, the album cover is just as gorgeous as she is as we see her sporting a new hair color, a blonde ponytail to be specific, and she has her head laid upon another unknown young woman with a blonde ponytail, we also only see the back of their heads. Additionally, and most compellingly we see a tiny tattoo sported by Grande on the back of her neck.
Most of the songs on the album were mainly about breaking up, heartache, disappointment, wanting to move on (yet not wanting to at the same time), and failed relationships, while others were “lighter” and talked about falling in love or love for another person in general, self-love as well as resilience.
The album overall is romantic, nostalgic, and melancholic. It is mostly pop with a sprinkle of alternative R&B and hip-hop along with small elements here and there of contemporary R&B as well as disco/retro thrown in there.
My two favorite songs from the album were Supernatural and True Story: I’m just in love with the unique, funky-sounding synths in these two songs, along with her stunning, atmospheric adlibs and voice! “We Can’t Be Friends,” “I Wish I Hated You,” “Imperfect For You,” “Bye,” “Don’t Wanna Break Up Again,” “Eternal Sunshine,” and “True Story,” as you’d imagine, are all heartbreak songs, and each has their unique elements to it. “Bye” and “Yes, And?” have a disco-ish/retro vibe to them while the others mostly fall along the pop and R&B spectrum.
“Imperfect For You” has a beautiful-sounding sampled country guitar yet it also has a Hip-Hop bass and hi-hat or drums, so this track to me was the most diverse sonically. “The Boy Is Mine” is also hip-hop infused and this song along with “Supernatural” are two of the most sensual tracks.
There are also features in the album by Grande’s grandmother, “Nona” (an affectionate Italian term for addressing one’s grandmother for those of you unfamiliar with it), and astrologist Diana Garland in “Saturn Returns Interlude.”
This album was truly a gem, so honey, if you haven’t listened to it already be sure to check out Eternal Sunshine on all digital streaming platforms!
