12 full moons, 385 days, and an eternal amount of sunshine have passed since “eternal sunshine” by American singer, songwriter, actress, and vocal powerhouse Ariana Grande was released, and she has now returned with the deluxe version “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead.” Along with the six new tracks, Grande has paired them with a 26-minute short film.
The first new track from “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead” is not actually new, but rather an extended version of the opening track “intro (end of the world).” Halfway through the extended version, she jumps from the original track to a dreamy continued passage of reflection that she originally questioned a year ago. The song finds a beautiful way to trace the outlines of a failed relationship and Grande’s independence and healing that has stemmed from it.
“twilight zone” is an ethereal mix of Grande’s pop touch and the melancholic, dazzling gloss of “eternal sunshine.” As the title infers, the song explores Grande’s experience with a relationship that was undefined and unbelievable; the nature of it was misty and confounding. With this track, there is a notable shift from “eternal sunshine” and the deluxe version, with a more hazy and dream-pop stylized production. “twilight zone” does an exceptional job of taking the sound of eternal sunshine and adding the blue touch that “brighter days ahead” embodies.
Continuing the pensive and hazy tone of “brighter days ahead,” the next track “warm” feels like a direct intertwinement of imagery from “eternal sunshine” and the deluxe version. Whereas “eternal sunshine” explored this warm melancholic heartbreak and deep, meditative healing, “brighter days ahead” feels more elegant and assured in itself. “warm” details Grande’s inner conflict between safety and independence. The sonic production is a gentle, wistful, and beautiful ballad that almost feels like a mosaic piece of all of her albums and eras in music, which is true for the rest of the deluxe album “brighter days ahead” as well.
Following “warm” is a classic Grande track titled “dandelion,” which opens with a slow and jazzy trumpet that jumps into a more bass-driven track that resembles “the boy is mine.” Grande weaves harmonies with an echo reverb effect to her voice and a repetitive remixed trumpet loop. All of these contrasting elements come together to create a staple Grande song.
Once again referencing similar themes from the original version of “eternal sunshine,” “past life” explores saying “bye” to a person that no longer fits into Grande’s life. The production of this song, however, has a few standout elements, specifically the classical instruments present in the background, such as harsh violin strums, a chorus effect on her backing vocals, and other soft string instruments.
The last song is the most distinctive and intentional piece on “brighter days ahead.” Combining the overall tone of “brighter days ahead,” including the usage of classical instruments, crescendos, and a self-assured tone that resolves the lost and questioning state explored in “eternal sunshine,” “Hampstead” is a romantic ballad for her loved one and a renouncement of the public’s continued view of her relationship. Named after the town in London where Grande resided in during the filming of “Wicked,” she details the overarching premise of where she found her new love and her writing off the constant speculation that surrounds her new relationship. The overlaid vocals, classical instruments, and musical ascensions all make “Hampstead” a tragically beautiful piece; Grande’s voice spaces out into an echoey public room where faint clapping can be heard, ending the “eternal sunshine” and “brighter days ahead” era on a more resolved and hopeful note.
Grande has an incomparable ability to produce these ethereal, dreamy, and romantic pieces that feel brushed by a pale moonlight. But, moreso in this deluxe, her ability to build upon projects while still artfully introducing a new take on her original album is illustrated in a whole new way. Grande’s telling of this story from a new perspective a year after “eternal sunshine” came out is a beguiling and graceful end to her “brighter days ahead” project.
