In the 2004 movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” two ill-fated ex-lovers choose to undergo a special procedure, completely erasing the memories of their failed relationship. Ariana Grande’s latest album, “eternal sunshine,” is her own version of the procedure: a loose concept album in which she slowly lets go of her marriage, tinged with hope for a brighter future with a new man.
The album opener, “intro (end of the world),” begins with a question: “how can I tell if I’m in the right relationship? / Aren’t you really supposed to know that sh–? / Feel it in your bones and own that sh–?”. As the album progresses, it seems like Grande bounces back and forth between relief and grief over her divorce. It’s mostly free from harshness—at least, not towards her ex-husband. Grande throws jabs at the media and public on songs like “true story” and the lead single “yes, and?”, critiquing the tabloid storyline about her life.
The tracks are light and airy, some even filled with hope over a new relationship: particular highlights include “the boy is mine,” inspired by Brandy and Monica’s 1998 hit of the same name, and “supernatural.” There are some lyrical head-scratchers, like when she apparently refers to her marriage as a “situationship” on “don’t wanna break up again” or how she pronounces the word “ordinary” on the closing track “ordinary things,” but in general, the album is poetic and emotional, a love letter to a dying phase of her life.
The album ends with an answer to its opening question, courtesy of Grande’s grandmother Marjorie (credited as Nonna). “never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight/…/ And if you can’t, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it / You’re in the wrong place, get out.”
It isn’t Grande’s strongest vocal performance, but “eternal sunshine” is clearly deeply personal and emotionally charged. Instead of high-range belts, she leans towards floaty, layered vocals and more enunciated words, showing off as an arranger rather than a vocalist. The album’s shift could be a sign that Grande herself is transitioning into a different type of singer: more breathy, more subdued, but maybe more mature too.
