Ariana Bares her Heart and Soul on eternal sunshine: brighter days ahead

When Ari teased us a few weeks ago with the “Brighter Days Ahead” branding for Eternal Sunshine’s deluxe version, I was immediately captivated and knew this project was going to be extremely personal for her. Ari’s past few years have been turbulent to say the least; between her divorce, filming for Wicked while going through said divorce, and countless rumors about her new relationship (am I talking about Ethan or Cynthia??), let’s just say she’s been no stranger to Daily Mail! That being said, it was easily predictable that the songs on ET:BDA were going to be reflective of these events and the public backlash Ari’s endured. 

What I didn’t expect was for this project to be so heavily focused on her family and childhood. Having watched the short film a few times now (spoiler alert: best thing she’s ever made), it’s clear how much working on Wicked brought Ari back to her roots. This is reflected many times throughout the film, as it’s shown how some of her happiest memories come from little Ari. The way Ariana and co-director Christian Breslauer depict Peaches coming back to see her core memories seventy years after the WCBF music video is magical, is such typical Ariana fashion. 

The most emotional part of the film comes at the end of course, when we finally see Peaches’ fourth and final memory. When I realized the man putting her back together was Ariana’s dad, my heart sunk out of my ass. The fact that Ari included her dad in the project was a very intentional decision for her and for the meaning of this memory. We know that Ari has had a rocky relationship with her father for many personal reasons, one seemingly is her parent’s divorce. Having now gone through a divorce herself, it’s evident this has allowed Ari to understand her father in a new way. In the film, Ed plays a doctor who’s daughter is “torn apart by stray cats,” representing the media and Ariana’s dicey public image. Dr. Ed pieces Ariana back together after her whole world is set on fire and brings her back to life by playing her music. As if my eyes weren't already sweating, the film ends with a stitched up Ari and her dad sitting at the piano, all the color brought back into his life now that his daughter is alive and happy. Clearly Ed helped Ariana through this hard time in her life, and she is eternally grateful. 

Now - the music!! I was initially very very excited about the extended version of “intro (end of the world),” given it’s probably one of my favorite opening tracks from Ari. I was gagged by the lyrics of the extended version - not exactly what I was expecting from this track, but I wouldn’t skip this if it came on. It’s still a short song, and honestly I prefer the original version, just because I like how it ends with a question to lead into the rest of the album. Next we go into “Twilight Zone,” another track I was intrigued by due to Ariana’s love for the tv show of the same name. This song is WCBF 2.0, and I genuinely think it’s pop perfection. Starting this song with “did I dream the whole thing?” IS SO REAL!! The girl went through a whole ass divorce while in a different country filming a movie about wizards and talking goats, I’d too probably assume it was all just a nightmare! Nevertheless, Ari makes it clear in this perfectly catchy tune that she has moved on, sometimes she just can’t believe this really happened to her. I’ve had this track on repeat since it came out and I predict this might be one of the more popular tracks on the deluxe. 

We then move into “Warm,” yet another Max Martin produced track on this album. At first this was not my favorite song, but the chorus is super catchy and I’ll bop along. As I listen to this track more and pick up on the nuances, I’m falling in love with it. Ari wants us to know that she can be ay okay alone, but she’s found someone who keeps her heart safe and is choosing to love them. Now I don’t know if she uses the term “hold space” in this song as a gag, but if she did that’s truly hilarious and good for her. This song is delicate and ethereal as much as it is powerful and reflective. The next song is “Dandelion,” one we heard in Peaches’ second memory in the film. Golly gee this song is SO Thank U, Next coded and I’m obsessed!! Dare I say I heard elements of Blackiana resurface on this track, and she makes some chart toppers as we know. The trumpet intro fading into a trap beat was an eye opener for sure at first listen, and the song keeps you hooked with her stunning vocal arrangement and catchy pop lyrics. I love this track and it continues to grow higher on my list with each listen. 

“Past Lives” comes next, and is a powerhouse track on this deluxe. The pre-chorus is my favorite part of this one; her vocal dynamics shine here, as they so often do, and Ariana channels this same power on the bridge. After initial listening, this track caught my attention immediately. The concept of moving on and choosing to leave someone you were so closely tied to in a “past life” is empowering and shows where Ariana is at in her healing journey. She has finally healed from the toxicity of this past relationship (or should I say situationship) and can let go of the person she once loved. 

I’m going on the record right now to say “Hampstead” is one of the best songs Ariana has ever made. Now I’m a sucker for a powerful piano ballad, especially ones Ari has gifted us with in the past (My Everything, Just A Little Bit of Your Heart, Almost is Never Enough, Best Mistake, etc), but this sounds like nothing she’s ever released before while simultaneously taking me back in time to 2015 Ariana. I was immediately mesmerized by the beautiful melody of this song and wondered how I ever lived without this song in my life. Not only are her vocals on this track so powerful, raw, and gorgeous to the point of tears, but “Hampstead” clearly tells the story of the last year of Ari’s life. Hearing her claim “I do, I do, I do, I do” over again in this song makes me think of her failed marriage and how much weight these words must hold for her. Now, she’s reclaiming this phrase as a way of freeing herself from the chains this relationship has been dragging her down with. The simple production of this track adds to the raw beauty of the song, and it’s perfectly placed as the last track on the album. A perfect song on a perfect deluxe project. “I would rather feel everything than nothing everytime” is CRAZY. I cry. 

In the span of about 2 years, Ariana Grande was able to release one of her best albums, star in her dream movie role, go through a divorce, face extreme media backlash over a new relationship, navigate a difficult relationship with her father, go on the most iconic press tour of all time, and create an incredible piece of art with this short film and deluxe. As a basically lifelong fan of hers, I am so proud of Ari and everything she has accomplished. I know this deluxe will be on repeat, and I would not be surprised if “Hampstead” is my song of the year. This album’s possessing me, and I don’t mind at all!

Xoxo meg