brighter days ahead: eternal sunshine deluxe by Ariana Grande // Album Review
With her 2024 album, eternal sunshine, Ariana Grande proved that she could find the light within herself in even the darkest of times, amidst experiencing so much heartache in the wake of her divorce. Now with the release of an additional six songs, she proved to herself that brighter days are already here.
Often, deluxe albums are generally made up of throwaway songs that didn't end up making the cut for the full album but work better as extras for the die-hard fans. However, hearing these bonus tracks can also leave you wondering how they could have ever been left off the standard album in the first place. With brighter days ahead: eternal sunshine deluxe, she wrote all of these songs after initial release of the album. It truly does feel like an entirely separate companion to the original songs. Some of these new tracks actually surpass parts of the standard track list for me. They maintain a strong narrative connection to the original album's storyline, while also further expanding on more of the feelings that she was maybe hesitant to fully open up about before. Writing from a place of deep vulnerability, Ariana reflects on the pain of her divorce and the accompanying heartache and public scrutiny that came along in the aftermath. Through these tracks, she navigates the complexities of healing, self-discovery, and resilience with remarkable honesty.
Ariana has been hinting at the possibility of a deluxe edition of the album about two months after the standard version was released last year. She went back in the studio soon after her surprise performance at the May 2024 Met Gala, which hasn't ever been officially released, but there are many audience clips that have circulated across social media over the past year. It's clear that something was awakened in her after that performance, like that side of herself hasn't been tapped into in years. Especially considering she hasn't really performed live on stage in about five years by that point, I'm sure returning to her element in that way and performing so many songs she hasn't sung in years was very creatively fulfilling. This seems to have formed the basis of what these six deluxe tracks have come to represent for her artistically.
Conceptually, the deluxe album ties perfectly into the themes of the original album. eternal sunshine is partially a concept album inspired by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the name of the deluxe was derived from the title of the fictional "Brighter Days Clinic" in the same 2004 film. She dove deeper into the themes and aesthetics of it with the short film that accompanied the release of the album, also titled brighter days ahead, which marked her directorial debut as well. All six of these new songs are incredible, but that short film specifically is one of the best things Ariana has ever made in her entire career. The way she was able to tie together the entire eternal sunshine storyline while also honoring every side of herself that is both public facing, as well as the parts of herself she doesn't share with the world. It is so beautiful and truly brought me to tears to watch it for the first time.
The first of the deluxe tracks is an extended version of the original introduction of eternal sunshine. It mostly mirrors the first version of the song up until the second verse. "If the sun refused to shine, baby, would I still be your lover? Would you want me there? If the moon went dark tonight and if it all ended tomorrow, would I be the one on your mind?" she sings in both versions of the song, which now holds even more significance considering the journey she is about to take the listener on with the rest of the new songs. "And if it all ended tomorrow, would you be the one on mine?"
One of the new additional verses that really struck me was the final lines of "intro (end of the world)". It's something that I think she was maybe trying to hold herself back from saying on the first version of the song, but now no longer wants to sugarcoat or protect that part of herself or anyone else's reputation anymore. "I broke your heart because you broke mine, So me, I am the bad guy, 'cause I'd already grieved you," she sings in the new outro, "And you started to realize, I do need ya, I did, I wish I could un-need ya, so I did".
This new extended version of the intro both feels like a continuation of the themes explored on eternal sunshine, while also introducing this newfound emotional growth that she gained since the release of the initial album. It is an honest exploration of processing heartbreak and the lingering pain of her divorce. Throughout about half of these new songs, she mourns both what could have been in that relationship, as well as perhaps what never truly was.
In the following track, "twilight zone", Ariana delivers a lush and glittering pop masterpiece, as so much of the brighter days ahead tracks are. It blends dreamy synths and haunting undertones that compliment her vocals so beautifully. "Did I dream the whole thing? Was I just a nightmare?" she sings in the opening lines. "Different dimensions, stuck in the twilight zone". She references the iconic sci-fi series to describe the disorienting and surrealistic feelings she's having during her journey to accepting and processing her past. On "twilight zone", she reflects back on her past relationship and a part of her life that she now feels so detached from but still continues to carry some of the emotional weight.
In the chorus, she opens up with a striking level of honesty, "And it's not like I'm still not over you, it's so strange, this I never do, not that I miss you, I don't, sometimes, I just can't believe you happened," she sings. "It's not like I'd ever change a thing, 'cause I'm right here where I'm meant to be". It's a deeply personal and vulnerable sentiment that represents the complexity of finding closure after such an immense heartbreak. One of the most revealing moments in the song comes with the lyric: "Why do I still protect you? Pretend these songs aren't about you, hope this might be the last one, 'cause I'm not fooling anyone." This raw admission highlights Ariana's struggle to fully let go, but even as she acknowledges the need to move forward, she still needs to get more off her chest.
Throughout brighter days ahead, Ariana worked once again with her main collaborators from the rest of eternal sunshine, Max Martin and ILYA, who co-wrote and co-produced every song with her. The strength of their continued artistic partnership shines through in "twilight zone" especially. It stands out as among the best she has ever recorded, it's so transcendent and pure pop perfection.
She continues to dive into more of these lingering feelings later in the deluxe with unflinching honesty toward the emotions she's been holding on to. Sonically, "past life" sounds like an homage to the classic '90s R&B and pop sound, with Max Martin's signature production style shining through. The lush instrumentation only further enhances Ariana's introspective and emotive delivery.
"You think I'm lost, but that's just how you found me, well, maybe I'm the stranger after all," she sings in the pre-chorus. "Always wondered what would happen if I let you lose me, always wondered what would happen if I let myself need more, might fuck around and elevate my expectations, now I'm fine to leave you in a past life". It's sharp and poignantly written, serving as a powerful declaration of empowerment, growth and acceptance. Finally allowing herself to let go and move forward with her life, "past life" fully gives closure to the main overarching eternal sunshine storyline.
Other tracks on the deluxe version of the album continue to dive into themes of new beginnings, inner-strength and personal growth. "warm" is a really sweet highlight from the deluxe album, as she sings about falling in love with someone new. These blissful feelings feel very reminiscent of her song "supernatural" from eternal sunshine as well. She opens up about her desire to have a partner that will enhance her life, without compromising any part of who she is for them. "'Cause I'm cool on my own, but it's warmer in your arms," she sings in the chorus.
I also love the subtle "holding space" lyric in this song too, it's such a clever nod to the viral meme from the Wicked press tour. In an Instagram comment, she revealed that she had actually written the lyric months prior, long before that viral moment even happened. In a comment to journalist Tracy Glichrist, Ariana wrote, "I have a very important confession to make...but I wrote a lyric all the way back in the Spring that says 'can you hold the space' ... I knew our paths were destined to cross, but I didn't know you had been cosmically, secretly, subconsciously with me for so long!" The song once again has such a dreamy and atmospheric quality to it, blending Imogen Heap-style production with Ariana's signature vocal stylings.
"dandelion" is another major highlight from the deluxe too. When I say that brighter days ahead allowed Ariana to tap into a side of herself that she hasn't explored in years, this song is a prime example of that. It feels like a return stylistically to her iconic thank u, next era, with an added layer of maturity and depth to the aesthetics of that time in her career. The trumpet intro adds a vibrant and unexpected touch, setting the tone for the varied influences it draws from. The track carries such a cool and confident tone, balanced by a playful charm that keeps it light and fun. "I get this sounds un-serious, but, baby boy, this is serious," she sings in the pre-chorus.
Ariana he delivers an empowering and endearing sentiment, weaving a clever metaphor into the lyricism. "Can't you see I bloom at night? Boy, just don't blow this, got me like, 'What's your wish list?' You can get anything you'd like, I'll be your dandelion".
The final song on the deluxe edition, "Hampstead", is named after the North London neighborhood that served as a significant setting for a very formative time in her life. It's where she lived while she was filming Wicked and also where she ended up falling in love with someone new in the wake of her divorce. This song, just like the place it was inspired by, serves as a marker for an important period of her life, both professionally and personally. The song captures the essence of this transformative chapter, blending vulnerability with strength in a way that feels raw and unfiltered.
Once again wanting to reclaim the narrative of her life in the court of public opinion, she boldly declares that she would rather live her life the way she wants to, rather than giving in and conforming to other's perceptions of who she is and who she should be. "I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead and I misplaced my mind in a good way, threw away my reputation, but saved us more heartache, yes, I know it seems fucked up and you're right," she sings in the opening lines of the song. "But quite frankly, you're still wrong about everything, so far off, your seat's nowhere near the table, but I find something sweet in your peculiar behavior, 'cause I think to be so dumb must be nice".
The second single from eternal sunshine, "we can't be friends (wait for your love)", is truly the foundation of these six new songs and the accompanying short film, setting the tone for the overarching narrative that she continues to explore throughout brighter days ahead. "Hampstead" is particularly deeply connected to the themes of "we can't be friends (wait for your love)". It is kind of disguised as being another song of forbidden love, one where she is dealing with the ebbs and flows she and her lover are going through in their relationship. If you listen closer, it is actually about a different, more complex, relationship in her life, one that is between her and the media. "I didn't think you'd understand me, how could you ever even try?" she sings in the opening verse, "Just wanna let this story die and I'll be alright". She isn't denying anything or even combating the negativity that is being spread about her but is more so just acknowledging the fact that the public's perception of you is an unending swinging pendulum. One day everyone can hate you, the next day everyone loves you again - and that cycle will continue forever.
"I'd rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view" is one of the many standout lyrics from "Hampstead" that best embodies those same feelings. It is mostly a stripped back piano ballad, with her incredibly chilling vocals at the forefront. It serves as such an emotional finale to this album and the entire story she tells the listener on throughout. "Hampstead" is a crucial song in Ariana's discography, one that offers such profound insight into who she is and the journey she has been on thus far.
The brighter days ahead short film also best visualizes the importance of this song, as she portrays the power of family and the power of music being the reason she was able to piece herself back together after all that she has been through. Even as she acknowledges the emotional scars those experiences left behind, finding strength in her journey toward healing and growth is at the forefront of the message.
"You think you've read the book I'm still writing" is the single lyric that best sums up the message of this entire album. It is so direct, so clear, and arguably the best she has ever written. It's a bold statement of reclaiming her own narrative and a reminder that no one else gets to define it for her. At the end of the song Ariana sings, "Rather be swimming with you than drowning in a crowded room", which is such a poignant way to end brighter days ahead. That lyric is deeply personal, but also very universal in the way we should all value real love and connection over superficiality in our lives.
eternal sunshine, largely centered around her divorce and the emotional aftermath, concludes with the poignant repetition of "I do, I do, I do". It's so symbolic to end the album with a phrase that traditionally symbolizes commitment, now reimagined as a declaration of self-acceptance and closure.
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