Pop icon Ariana Grande released her deluxe version of her seventh studio album, ‘eternal sunshine,’ titled “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead” on Friday, March 28. The original album was released on March 8, earning three Grammy nominations for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” for “The Boy is Mine ft. Brandy and Monica,” “Best Pop Vocal Album” and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Yes, And?”
The deluxe added six new songs to the album, including an extended version of “intro (end of the world).” Compared to the non-extended version, this deluxe version was more heartbreaking. It gives fans such a tone and a yearning feeling of a lover, as Grande asks “Would you still be here, pretending you still like me?” This song as the first track of the deluxe album was an emotional step, as if Grande is adding more to a heartbreaking story.
The song “twilight zone” gives a more slightly upbeat song. Grande’s lyrics describe one of the first stages of grief: denial. “Sometimes, I just can’t believe…You happened.” She gives a confused and denial tone to the relationship she’s referring to. The lyrics are meant to reflect on a relationship where the lover cheats and fakes who they really are.
The next track is “warm,” which is more upbeat and more of a dancing vibe. It reminds listeners of Grande’s earlier songs and projects like “My Everything” or “Dangerous Woman.” In the song, Grande describes being with someone as “warm.” It talks about how she is not letting her heart get broken again, but she will be comfortable to have a romantic relationship again.
A more sensual lyric song would be “dandelion.” It starts off with a jazz intro, then inflates with a bass sound mixed in with an R&B instrumental. The lyrics are Grande yearning for a boy she wants, saying “You can get anything you’d like..I’ll be your dandelion” in an eager tone for someone they desire and ache for. The lyrics in this song are such a reminder of Grande’s 2020 album, “Positions,” lyrically being more spicy and persuasive by the listeners.
With a pop and R&B feeling, “past life” refers to Grande being willing to leave her past lover in a past life, if it means she is OK with herself. “Woke up with a ghost by my side” symbolizes Grande thinking of her past lover and the memories they both endured together. It also symbolizes Grande is growing from her past life and on to a new chapter for herself.
The last track to close up the deluxe album is “Hampstead.” Hampstead is, according to fans, titled after the location she lived in London while shooting the 2024 film, “Wicked.” Many fans speculate Hampstead is to represent Wicked left a positive impact on Grande. With “rather be swimming with you than drowning in a crowded room” as the last lyric of this deluxe album, it ends the album formally, shaping how Grande feels toward a certain person in her life who makes her feel seen. It closes the album with such a beautiful picture of finding that one person who cares for you.
Overall, this album was emotional. Grande bringing some of her tones of her past projects provided fans a nostalgic feeling in the deluxe version. The topics of heartbreak, desire, confliction and peace show why Grande is such a popular artist. This would definitely be a 9 out of 10 deluxe album for “brighter days ahead.”
