Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Album: A Brain-Squeezing Musical Journey
In the world of pop music, where choices are abundant and engagement is often reduced to convenience, Ariana Grande’s latest album, “Eternal Sunshine,” stands out as a brain-squeezing musical journey. Drawing inspiration from Michel Gondry’s iconic film, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Grande invites listeners to embark on a sonic exploration that blurs the lines between memory and reality.
Grande’s album comes at a time when pop superstars are elevated to god-like status by their devoted fans. In an era of increasing wealth inequality, where capitalism’s false promise of infinite growth permeates the industry, Grande’s music serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated artists are mere mortals deserving of both admiration and scrutiny.
With “Eternal Sunshine,” Grande takes a different approach compared to her previous work. While her 2019 breakup anthem, “Thank U, Next,” was explicit in its references to her personal life, this album opts for a more enigmatic approach. Through the velvety smoothness of her voice, Grande obscures the details of her own heartache, leaving listeners to wonder if she has undergone the memory wipe she sings about or if she is performing the procedure on her audience.
The album begins by evoking nostalgia, with Grande’s falsetto gliding effortlessly over familiar beats. Songs like “The Boy Is Mine” harken back to Brandy and Monica’s iconic duet from 1998, while “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” channels the disco-infused energy of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” from 2010. The pop-house thump of “Yes, And?” transports listeners back to Madonna’s timeless hit, “Vogue,” released in 1990.
While these influences may be readily apparent, Grande’s ethereal vocals blur the boundaries of time, enveloping each track in a dreamlike quality. The melodies, reminiscent of R&B, lack the raw catharsis often associated with the genre. Instead, Grande’s breathy phrasing creates a sense of pause, urging listeners to savor the present moment. In the infectious hook of “The Boy Is Mine,” she inserts deliberate moments of silence, as if to remind us to slow down and appreciate the passage of time.
Grande’s intention to forget the past and embrace the present is evident throughout “Eternal Sunshine.” By solidifying the line between her personal life and her public persona, she blurs the line between the music and the listener. The album’s paradox lies in its accessibility – it is easy to immerse oneself in its seamless beats and familiar melodies. However, this ease of engagement also means it is equally easy to forget the music once it ends.
“Eternal Sunshine” is a testament to Ariana Grande’s artistry and her ability to create an album that simultaneously captivates and eludes memory. It serves as a reminder that pop music, while often dismissed as disposable, has the power to transport us to different eras and evoke a range of emotions. So strap yourself in and prepare for a brain-squeezing musical journey with Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine.”
