Album Review: Eternal Sunshine | Ariana Grande
Ariana reclaims her throne.
Ariana Grande is back. Her first album since 2020's Positions, she returns with her 7th record, Eternal Sunshine. The title is a nod to the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which starred Jim Carey and Kate Winslet. (Fun fact, Grande is a MASSIVE fan of Carey and cried the first time she met him). The movie follows a couple that breaks up and decides to erase one another from their memory through a medical procedure.
The album comes during an exciting time in Grande's life. Fresh off her divorce and public homewrecking scandal with her Wicked-co star, she's taken a lot of public scrutiny the past year. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in the fall, Grande took a break from filming Wicked and began to write and record this record music for eternal sunshine in the span of a couple of months.
Leading up to the release, Grande took an exciting approach to feed her fans with more record details. She shared a video of her previewing some of the songs on the album to her record label, where she puts together her pitch book. This behind-the-scenes look is fascinating; it shows the hard work and vision of assembling an album and gives us insight into the relationship between an artist and their bosses.
Now that we've covered all the necessary context, we must ask, does the musical output match the drama and controversy? We're leaning toward yes.
There’s never been a doubt that Ariana could sing, but it’s been noted that Ariana is so strong vocally doesn’t have the same level of skill lyrically. Notably on this record - most of these songs are entirely self-written by Grande, who historically has numerous writers on her biggest hits. You can tell it’s mostly self-written. Some of the lyrics fall flat and come across as a little lame, “I showed you all my demons, all my lies, Yet you played me like Atari.”
Ariana leans into the controversy on this record. One of the focal points of the record is the boy is mine which Ariana calls a "reimagined" version of the classic Brandy & Monica song. Ari cleverly plays into the drama surrounding her recent relationship and the homewrecker persona the media has labeled her as. The song is a total earworm filled with exciting production choices. However, it's her choice to only "take full accountability for all these tears" and not her poor actions. The lyrics on this song are a tough pill to swallow and make the listener question the artist's character.
Furthermore, it's sad that Ariana has filled her circle with people who don't hold her accountable. "My girls, they always come through in a sticky situation, say, "It's fine" (It's fine), happens all the time." I really hope she finds some real friends soon. Ari delivers another "bad-girl" anthem on true story and volunteers to "play the villain if you need me to"
Grande fully delves into R&B on tracks like true story, don’t wanna break up again, and the boy is mine. It’s encouraging to see Ariana deliver her most cohesive record to date a decade into her career and explore new sounds in synth-pop and house without abandoning her signature style. It will be exciting to see how this reception of this record encourages her to take more risks.
Check out our favorite tracks, listen to the album, and see our scores below:
Can’t Miss: Bye, The Boy Is Mine, Yes, And?
You Can Skip: Intro, Saturn Returns Interlude
BY THE NUMBERS
Bennett’s Score: 7.08
Carson’s Score: 7.62
Album Score: 14.69
Notes from Bennett:
Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on here. These songs got me moving but as a whole, I’m not obsessed with this album the way I think I should be. I’m in love with the boy is mine and yes, and but nothing has me going crazy currently.
imperfect for you gives me the ick. I get it, it does the imperfect chorus thing for the creative purpose yeah yeah boo hoo.
bye is another standout for me, whenever she performs this with live horns for the first time. its game over. internet broken. the pre-chorus is insane. breathe control crazy. also, love needs to be given to the bass line here.
I am a yes, and stan. Great single. good tune. captures current trends well while staying true to Ariana’s style.
Notes from Carson:
FIRST OFF - make sure you watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. What a phenomenal movie.
I did not love this album on first listen, but it already has grown on me in subsequent listens. I think it is probably her most cohesive record and it’s really easy to digest. No filler. Don’t feel the need to skip anything either.
This album made me appreciate Ariana more as an artist but made me like her less as a person…. if that makes any sense.
“So i grab my stuff, Courtney just pulled up in the driveway” is such a fun lyric on bye
The sped up production just to quickly slow down right before she sings “the boy is mine” is such a phenomenal production choice on the boy is mine. I love it. Crack.
She like barely says “yuh” on this record. Interesting.
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Here is our all-time top albums featured on Pop Lobster. Lana lands in the top 10!
Funk Wav Bounces, Vol 1 | Calvin Harris | Score: 16.60
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Speak Now | Taylor Swift | Score: 15.68
1989 | Taylor Swift | Score 15.67
SOS | SZA | Score 15.22
Heaven knows | PinkPantheress | Score: 14.85
eternal sunshine | Ariana Grande | Score: 14.69
the record | boygenius | Score: 14.48
Lover | Taylor Swift | Score: 14.42
AUSTIN | Post Malone | Score: 14.41
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Sunburn | Dominic Fike | Score: 14.33
Zach Bryan / Zach Bryan | Score: 14.19
Midnights | Taylor Swift | Score 14.09
Endless Summer Vacation | Miley Cyrus | Score: 14.00
Unreal Unearth | Hozier | Score: 14.00
In The End It Always Does | The Japanese House | Score: 13.92
Prelude To Ecstacy | The Last Dinner Party | Score: 13.92
Barbie: The Album | Various Artists | Score: 13.88
Jaguar II | Victoria Monet | Score: 13.82
Gag Order | Kesha | Score: 13.77
The Age of Pleaure | Janelle Monáe | Score: 13.21
Snow Angel | Reneé Rapp | Score: 13.00
UTOPIA | Travis Scott | Score: 12.79
The Album | Jonas Brothers | Score: 12.67
I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet | Del Water Gap | Score: 12.58
Bewitched | Laufey | Score: 12.50
THE FIRST TIME | The Kid Laroi | Score: 12.47
Stick Season | Noah Kahan | Score: 12.43
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For All The Dogs | Drake | Score: 11.35
American Dream | 21 Savage | Score: 11.33
Scarlet | Doja Cat | Score: 11.24
World Music Radio | Jon Batiste | Score: 11.05
Pink Friday 2 | Nicki Minaj | Score: 10.67
COMING HOME | Usher | Score: 9.55