Pop superstar Ariana Grande kicked off her year with a typically spring album Eternal sun. The singer’s latest project is a departure from her past work and is a poignant way to complete her 20th birthday. Grande’s seventh studio album, filled with smooth vocals, synths and crisp songwriting, deserves all the critical praise it’s garnered in recent weeks.
Eternal sun looks back at events from the final years of Grande’s life, including her marriage and divorce from real estate agent Dalton Gomez, and her experience in the spotlight following the release of perhaps her biggest hit: 2019. thank you, more.
Grande struggles with the pain and turmoil caused by a failed relationship. Songs like “I Don’t Want to Break Up Again” see her fighting to save a crumbling marriage and learning to put herself first. She also highlights the exhilaration of a new relationship, notably in the fan favorite “The Boy Is Mine” and “Supernatural”, refreshingly sweet and optimistic.
It’s no secret that celebrity breakups have historically led to popular songs. Grande’s own discography attests to this trend. In 2014, the successes of his second album My everything, like “Break Your Heart Right Back” and “One Last Time,” put Grande on the map. His next project, that of 2016 Dangerous woman saw the singer grow and take a more powerful role in her relationships and sexuality through dynamic pop ballads. thank you, more featured pop, R&B and trap elements and Grande’s most popular work to date. She focused on moving forward and said “thank you, next” to her past relationships.
But Grande is doing much more than anatomizing her high-profile divorce. Eternal sun. The album combines everything Grande does best. Production-wise, it avoids the Pharrell Williams-produced tracks common on 2018 albums. Sweetener which polarized his fans. The production is smooth, bouncy and full of synths; Grande’s attention to detail is superbly on display. Some tracks, particularly “The Boy Is Mine” and “True Story”, feature catchy R&B sounds and smooth vocals, while others offer a more retro vibe, including disco-like elements and orchestral instruments. Grande, known more for her jokes and clever rhymes than her poetry, offers some of the rawest reflections of her career.
Of course, singing has never been an obstacle for Grande. This album finds the singer more restrained than ever; the whistle notes and belts of the past are exchanged for a melodious, more subdued sound. This use of vocal restraint highlights Grande’s versatility and better suits the rawness of the lyrics. “Eternal Sunshine,” both vocally and sonically, shows a maturity that Grande has been working toward for years.
With Eternal sun, Grande also marks a turning point, both in his life and in his musical career. She talks about her “Saturn Return”, an astrological milestone that occurs around the 30th birthday, notably in “Saturn Returns Interlude”. Not only does Grande look back on her past, but she also looks forward to a new chapter in her life, one in which she is strong enough to handle past suffering and smart enough to prioritize her self-worth.
This message, lasting 35 minutes, seemed to resonate with many people, who expressed their support for the project on social networks. According to Pitchfork, Grande’s seventh studio album is the “a-ha! moment in his discography.
The album’s message culminates with the tenth track, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”. Grande’s vocals start out soft and delicate, but their power grows as the pop ballad builds. This is Grande at her best, with a vulnerable delivery, lively lyricism and ultimately a dance pop beat.
Eternal sun cements Grande’s already formidable legacy in the industry and moves her forward with new independence. She said (or sang) it best herself: “so for now, it’s just me, and maybe that’s all I need.”
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