On Friday, March 28, Ariana Grande released the deluxe version of her album, eternal sunshine, titled “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead.” This release comes a little over a year after she released the original album on March 8, 2024. The deluxe version includes six brand new songs, “intro (end of the world) – extended,” “twilight zone,” “warm,” “dandelion,” “past life” and “Hampstead.” Fans have been looking forward to new music from Ariana and her expansion of this album is the perfect way to cater to her listeners.
The first song on the deluxe edition is not exactly new. It is an extended version of “intro (end of the world)” which is the opening track on the original version of “eternal sunshine.” This extension builds on how the original song begins by adding more to the end of the song. The song begins with a sense of hope but is ultimately lost with the continuation of the extended version. The lyrics clearly show the break between the original version of the song and how it has been added to. I personally love this updated version and feel that it perfectly sets the vibe for the rest of the deluxe tracks.
The next song, “twilight zone,” slightly reminds me of “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” one of the songs from the original version of “eternal sunshine.” This song quickly became my favorite upon my first listen. It has a catchy beat and memorable lyrics. The story it seems that Ariana is trying to tell through this song is one about her previous relationship. The lyrics make it clear that she doesn’t regret it, just that she is looking back on the memories. I like this song because it feels like the perfect example of how a person does not have to want the relationship back to look fondly upon the memories they shared with their previous partner.
Next is “warm,” which is a very upbeat song with a confident and independent message. In this song, Ariana is essentially saying she can be alone, but the idea of having a companion is something that she would also like. I believe that many people can resonate with this idea because it is not hard to be by yourself, but people naturally look for someone to lean on. This is a great song with a strong and positive message, especially for those who struggle with being single.
The fourth new song on the album is called “dandelion.” It starts out with a jazz beat and then slowly transitions into a somewhat r&b-pop sound. This song feels more similar to music on some of her older albums. It really highlights the difference between the standard “eternal sunshine” and the deluxe version. This fourth song, “dandelion,” has a very addictive sound and alluring lyrics, I could not stop listening to it.
Ariana Grande’s fifth addition to this deluxe album is “past life.” I really enjoy this song and the somewhat optimistic lyrics of it. The message about leaving a relationship in the “past life” and moving on, even when it seemed like forever, is so important. This song really is the perfect bridge between the standard and deluxe albums. It highlights the hopefulness of some of the songs on the original version of “eternal sunshine,” while also addressing how she is ready to move on from the old relationship.
“Hampstead,” the sixth and final song on “eternal sunshine deluxe,” is the perfect way to close out the album. This song has such a raw and emotional quality to it. The lyrics are so moving and you can really feel the vulnerability in them. The line “you think you’ve read the book I’m still writing” means that you never really know what a person is feeling or experiencing because you only see a small part of their story. This song is really about Ariana’s journey and how people have felt like they know her when they only know a little bit of what she lets them see. It is such a powerful and vulnerable song that I believe many can relate to experiencing similar feelings.
These six new songs released on “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days” ahead are the perfect conclusion to this whole album. The messages about moving on and feeling okay with vulnerability and being alone help wrap up a chapter of life that is over. There is so much transparency in these songs and although they are different from the songs on the original album, they compliment each other perfectly. These final six songs beautifully complete and reflect upon the heartfelt messages of “eternal sunshine.”