It is like an eternal sunshine far from reach. It’s been 84 years… Correction: It has been almost 3 and a half years since Ariana Grande fed us new music.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a movie starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, which Ariana Grande used to watch with her then-boyfriend, the late Mac Miller.
Nowadays, all grown up, she has been busy with her acting career, filming the iconic Broadway hit turned film adaptation of “Wicked.” The film will be released in two parts during the last week of November this year and next year. Ariana declared that she wouldn’t record any albums until the film shoot concluded.
During filming, both the Writers and Actors Guilds declared the Hollywood Strike. It impacted film production for any Hollywood-related content for the entire summer and autumn seasons of 2023, including Wicked. So, while Hollywood was negotiating against Corpo’s AI push, GOAT mother got busy with AG7.
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AG7 starring Goat Mother
Hollywood stopped playing, so GOAT Mother began recording in September 2023. She worked with Max Martin for a few weeks, then handled production on her own. In a behind-the-scenes video of AG7 production, she was teaching Max how to use the recording software.
December is when she wrapped up production of the album. While wrapping up production, she shared pictures and video clips of it on Instagram. She referred to both posts as two moods for what AG7 is going to be.
And thus, AG7 was named Eternal Sunshine
Two Easter eggs subtly revealed the album’s title. One of them was in the opening scene of the music video for the lead single, “Yes, And?” It depicts a red card that has the acronym “AG7” on the frontside, with the geographical coordinates 41.0359° N, 71.9545° W mentioned below it—which is located Montauk, New York, a key location of the film. The other was when Grande shared a few lines of Alexander Pope’s poem Eloisa to Abelard on her Instagram, including “Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!”
Almost five days after the release of the album’s lead single, “Yes, and?” she revealed the album title. On her social media, she announced the release date. Grande described Eternal Sunshine as “kind of a concept album” comprising “different heightened pieces of the same story, of the same experience.” She explained that the record spans from “really vulnerable” songs to playful tracks, which see her emulating “what people kind of expect me to be sometimes and having fun with it.”
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Ariana Grande Eternal Sunshine tracklist
Grande did not reveal the album’s tracklist all at once. On separate days, she revealed the song titles and track order. The sequence of tracks began on January 27, 2024, with tracks 1, 5, and “Yes, And?” serving as track 9. The reveal of tracks 2, 6, and 10 took place on February 7. On February 17, we revealed tracks 3, 7, and 11, and on February 27, we revealed tracks 4, 8, 12, and 13.
Additionally, Grande revealed some lyrics from the album via her social media on February 27. On March 6, 2024, Grande released a teaser for the album. It shows the singer doing a photo shoot for one of the cover artworks. A breakdown of each track will be reviewed in the latter part of this review.
Eternal Sunshine concept
Seven cover variants of Eternal Sunshine were issued. The album featured a standard vinyl cover, four DTC variations available on Grande’s website, a CD cover exclusive to retail stores (which also functions as the artwork for the “Yes, And?” single), and a Target-exclusive version available exclusively in the United States. The digital cover depicts the back of Grande’s head, with her dressed in a white outfit and her blonde hair styled in a ponytail, resting on the shoulder of a similarly dressed woman who is “a clone of herself.”
The album’s announcement unveiled three covers, including the “Yes, And?” one. Throughout January and February, Grande revealed the remaining three alternate covers.
Through the promotional material for the album, Grande sports a Maison Margiela outfit—a white bodysuit and a pair of red tulle gloves. She stated that the different artworks “capture the emotional ups and downs of the album.”
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Run the tracks for Eternal Sunshine
1. intro (end of the world)
It starts with a question
“How can I tell if I’m in the right relationship”
This is a good question, as it sheds light on the turbulent journey she has experienced over the past three years. It felt like she was contemplating whether to end her relationship or not. Like there’s anxiety lingering on every word.
The song harkens back to the sounds of the strings on her sixth studio album, Positions, and the guitars on her fourth studio album, Sweetener. It is the perfect tune to play with your friends in front of the bonfire or during a drinking session with your fellow brokenhearted.
2. bye
This song harkens back to the horn sections of fan favorite song “Greedy” from her 3rd studio album, “Dangerous Woman.” “Greedy” tells of how much she obsesses over her lover. Meanwhile, “Bye” is a farewell to the lover she used to obsess over, packing her stuff up in the process.
According to Ari, this was a very hard song to write for her. She didn’t want to fall for the screw-you trope that farewell songs like this rely on. It didn’t feel that way; it felt like she was writing about a woman who was tired of everything, so she left.
3. don’t wanna break up again
The contemplation of breaking up returns with this song in play. While the music harkens back to a modern day version of what 70’s pop sounded. The melodies sang harkens back to her chart topping remix with The Weeknd “Die For You”.
It felt intentional cause there was a time that she and her then husband Dalton Gomez had a meet up with The Weeknd. This was her way to describe how she tried saving her so called “situationship” but in the end she wanted to put a period to it. And while the period didn’t come on time it does give us a good sing-along song after a breakup.
4. Saturn Returns Interlude
It’s Ariana giving us an astrology lesson by sampling a YouTube video of astrologer Diana Garland. She discusses the importance of the age of 29 in a person’s life. It hits way too close to home for people who are in their 30s and can relate.
It’s a reminder that at that age, you suddenly feel like you’re running out of time. You must do your best to figure out and collect the lessons you learned in your 20s. Then use those lessons to define yourself as the next decade of your life begins.
5. eternal sunshine
Hmm … This sounds familiar
The chorus melodies of “eternal sunshine” and “Nonsense” by Sabrina Carpenter sound a little too similar to each other. Jarred Jermaine, a TikTok melody matcher, pointed this out. Although there may be similarities, the chorus’s sung style is an octave higher. Jarred also pointed out that the song’s intro is similar to that of Minecraft. So him letting me know means I can’t take him seriously.
Leaving aside jumping octaves and creative choices, the song itself tells of the aftermath of going through a breakup. While the song itself harkens back to the beats of her hit song “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored.” The song also tells of infidelity during their relationship, pulling concepts from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. A song that fits the concept she is going for, as she ends with a hint that she found someone new.
6. supernatural
This is an ethereal song, like it’s passing between dreams and realms. This song evokes a similar sensation to that of morphine. Usually, people use morphine to relieve severe pain, including pain from major trauma. This song feels like Ariana’s way of telling herself to let it take over so she can heal. Like she’s ready to stand back up after being revived from drowning in darkness.
This is the album’s heart, as it centers around the love she found at the end of “eternal sunshine.” How does one heal from trauma? Love is the answer and that affection felt supernatural to her. It is the deepest song on the album and could possibly be a deep cut for fans of her music.
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7. true story
Hmm … The beat sounds a little too familiar
But actually, this song samples a Led Zeppelin song called “When The Levee Breaks”
However, the beat ends with a sound similar to when you press the start button for a typical PlayStation adventure game.
In general, the song sounds like a hurricane, with the intention of breaking the levee to inflict maximum damage. While lyrically, it talks about certain media outlets and YouTuber pundits who tell lies about her. This, in turn, leads people to believe that she is the individual depicted in those images. It’s a reverse version of her song “in my head” but it’s a bit more sinister than that. It’s a good, creative, and reasonable response, and it may be an excellent addition to her eventual world tour setlist.
8. the boy is mine
The song shares a title with Monica and Brandy’s “The Boys Is Mine,” which topped the Billboard charts for thirteen weeks. Meanwhile, Ariana said it’s her version of that song—a reimagined version of it. People compare it to an elevated version of her leaked song, “Fantasize.” The leaked song was originally intended for a Seth MacFarlane show. The comedy sketch about a girl group ultimately did not release the song.
Furthermore, the fans have made it their favorite song from the album. Megan Thee Stallion showed love for the song on her Instagram stories. It cycles back to her song “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” lyrically. The “true story” paints a picture of Ari as a bad girl anthem. It gives everyone a taste of what Bad Girl Ari sounds like. Once in a while, you wear a dress for revenge, and this song is the one you play while wearing it.
9. yes, and?
A song that starts with:
“In case you haven’t noticed, everybody’s tired or healing from somebody or something they don’t see just right”
When you’re in your 30s, those lyrics hit way harder than they should. This is particularly true if you’ve made decisions that haven’t contributed to your personal growth. But then it transitions into much more personal lyrics from Ariana. Pundits’ speculations and rumors about her abound. She sang all those lyrics in a way that would make Madonna proud. While others hear it as a skip, it’s a necessary addition to the album.
10. we can’t be friends (wait for your love)
This is the penultimate song of the album, both musically and lyrically. This is the album’s Mind_Erase part of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Harkening back to her Top 15 hit song “Into you” from her third album, Dangerous Woman, it invokes a sense of nostalgia with Ariana Grande’s haunting vocals.
Ariana wrote in a way that everyone can relate to, but it is still personal. And the way the song ends feels like that Inception scene where you wake up. If the supernatural is the album’s heart, this song is its soul. It is probably her best work and possibly the cathartic release that Ari wanted in song form.
11. i wish i hated you
This song felt like a hangover after the drunken dream you had last night. This song serves as a soothing yet disorienting soundtrack for a morning filled with regret. The song serves as Ari’s wake-up call following a flurry of incredible experiences. At this point, Ari’s vocals broke down, sounding as if she was about to cry. It felt too personal for her, but it was also the ultimate release of emotions she needed.
Given the status of her relationships, this was the first time she got married. So, to hear what she had to say about her divorce is saddening. It’s a memorable song that harkens back to “NASA” from her iconic 5th studio album, Thank U, Next. This song reveals her vulnerability, even amidst her fame.
12. imperfect for you
This is the other side of the divorce, where she finds comfort in Mr. Supernatural. Unfortunately, she found out that he wasn’t as supernatural as she thought he was. And she shares that fact with him because she isn’t as supernatural herself.
So, the lyrics sounded so consoling that they both had to crash and burn. The song, accompanied by a guitar, evokes the atmosphere of a movie’s closing credits. It could also be the sound of a morning breakfast at a bar after a night out. It’s a song that celebrates the imperfections of love with your significant other.
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13. ordinary things
Serving as the closer of the album and possibly the moral of the entire project. The lyrics serves as a reminder that if you’re not happy with the person you’re with. Why are you still with them in the first place? You get reminded of that Tyler Perry play “Madea goes to jail” where Madea said:
I would rather be in a corner by myself with a puppy and a goldfish and be happy. Than to be sitting around with somebody in my house saying, ‘What the hell are they there for?’
It’s celebrating the little things and how happy it makes us. Most especially if you’re in love and if the little things don’t make you happy then get out. Marjorie “Nonna” Grande cements this fact as she closes the song saying:
And when he’d come home and I’d see him, when he first gets off that train
It was like God almighty arrived
It was like seein’ daylight
I mean, I could’ve packed up and left a million times
You know? It’s not that we never fought
You can overcome that
You know? It-it’s very easy
And as I told her, never go to bed without kissin’ 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
It’s a constant truth that we all have to face, especially people who are entering their 30s. This is a perfect closing song for an Ariana Grande album of this magnitude.
Ariana Grande Eternal Sunshine Final Thoughts
This is a little post about Ariana Grande on Reddit that got shared on Twitter recently.
The last sentence seems a little insulting to her current situation. But it is a constant reminder that this woman has been through a lot.
In addition to being a great songmaker and Pro Tools user, her ability to emulate Beyoncé’s “B-Day” and maintain this level of quality is truly remarkable. It’s a testament to her talent because only a few artists can do it like that. Her life might be Shakespearean, but her discography proves strength and endurance. And that classic discography includes Eternal Sunshine, an amazing album.
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Source: Ariana Grande Website
