Ariana Grande’s newest album eternal sunshine has been highly anticipated for the four years since her last album, Positions was released. Since Positions, Grande stepped out of the public eye, got married to her ex-husband, got divorced from her ex-husband, worked on set for her starring role as Glinda in the new movie WICKED, and got together with her co-star. Through all of this, Grande has faced extreme backlash; from people commenting on her weight to people calling her a homewrecker for getting together with her WICKED costar. With all of this taking place, the nature of her new album has been highly speculated, with many wondering how she would respond to all of the allegations. Here is a comprehensive review of each song from the long-awaited album:

1. “intro (end of the world)”: As the opening track on a long-awaited album, “intro (end of the world)” begins to build a storyline right off of the bat with the first lyrics, “How can I tell if I’m in the right relationship? Aren’t you really supposed to know that shit?” Grande’s angelic main vocals star in this track, aided by backing vocals that overpower the very quiet backing instrumentals. The combination of the two results in a sound that is almost ethereal. 
2. “bye”: Grande says goodbye to her past partner in this song, singing about the end of a relationship. Rather than just highlighting the negative parts of the relationship, Grande adds some positivity in lyrics such as “Maybe someday we’ll look back with love” and “At least I know how hard we tried, both you and me.” The lyrics are repetitive, as Grande repeats the phrases “bye-bye” and “boy bye” 24 times collectively, making this my least favorite track due to it being a tad bit annoying.
3. “don’t wanna break up again”: Right out of the gate, Grande sings “I fall asleep cryin’, you turn up the TV, you don’t want to hear me,” communicating with her listeners how emotionally abusive her past relationship was. As per usual, however, Grande mixes her heartbreaking and upsetting lyrics with an upbeat melody and a catchy beat, making this song incredibly good.
4. “Saturn Returns Interlude”: This interlude stars the voice of a retired astrologer named Diana Garland, who speaks of the Saturn cycle, in which Saturn returns to the exact placement that it was on your birthday about 29.5 years after you are born. She implies that this is a time of growth and shedding your old self, saying “That’s when we’ve gotta wake up and smell the coffee because if we’ve just been…kind of floating along Saturn comes along and hits you over the head hits you over the head and says, “Wake up!” It’s time for you to get real about life and sort out who you really are.” This comforting message is followed by soft music and the sound of Grande giggling, fading perfectly into the beginning of the next song.
5. “eternal sunshine”: Starting with soft music and Grande’s giggles, this track quickly transitions into an upbeat but heart-wrenching song detailing the end of a relationship. As the title track of the album, “eternal sunshine” makes a nod toward the film Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, in which two characters subject themselves to a mind-erasing procedure after their overwhelming pain from their breakup. Grande relates this movie to her relationship with her ex-husband, wishing that she could wipe her memories of them together rather than be in so much emotional pain. The juxtaposition of the cheery title “eternal sunshine” and the pessimistic lyrics effectively highlights Grande’s pain from her divorce and her happiness from her new relationship. Relating to her new significant other, she sings, “I found a good boy and he’s on my side,” showing listeners that she is truly happy despite her divorce.
6. “supernatural”: Arguably the most catchy song on the album, “supernatural” is quite a mood shift, as the first love song on the album. Continuing the celestial theme of the album, Grande sings, “Like the moon needs the stars,” referring to how she feels a need for the companionship of her lover. In the chorus, Grande sings: “This love’s possession’ me, but I don’t mind at all; It’s like supernatural; It’s takin’ over me, don’t wanna fight the fall,” implying her superstitions and her belief that a force is pulling her and her lover together.
7. “true story”: Lashing back at her many recent haters, Grande sings this revengeful song with confidence. The media is constantly concocting rumors about Grande and her relationships, so Grande comments on the lies, singing “This is a true story about all the lies you fantasized.” Playing into the lies about her, she sings, “I’ll play whatever part you need me to and I’ll be good in it, too.”
8. “the boy is mine”: Implementing inspiration from “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica, as well as using the same title, Grande’s “the boy is mine” takes on a 90s-inspired R&B Pop sound. This track serves as a follow-up to “true story,” following Grande’s backlash with a “bad girl anthem” of sorts. Amid home-wrecking allegations, Grande uses this song to feed into the hate, because of her lack of control over the situation. The lyricism of “the boy is mine” is possessive and territorial, as Grand makes it clear that the boy is hers.
9. “yes, and?”: As the lead single on “eternal sunshine,” this song is yet another clap back from Grande at her haters. Singing lines like, “Now I’m so done with caring what you think, no, I won’t hide underneath your own projections or change my most authentic life” and “Yes, and?” Say that shit with your chest,” Grande again emphasizes how the hate does not phase her and how she is not willing to change herself for others’ approval.
10. “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”: As the second single on “eternal sunshine,” this track is the most popular on the album, quickly rising to the top of charts globally. Again, the lyrics of this song, as well as the music video, highly reflect her inspiration from Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, as she talks about leaving a person and not staying in contact with them. However, she contrasts this message with her repetition of the lyric, “I’ll wait for your love,” as if deep down, she is secretly hoping that her past lover will change his ways and return to her. This is one of my favorite songs on the album, as it is extremely catchy and the bridge sends me floating up to heaven with Grande’s incredible high notes.
11. “i wish i hated you”: Highlighting the polarity of going through a breakup, this song shows Grande’s inability to find hatred in her heart for her ex-husband, even though he (allegedly) put her through much pain and abuse. In order to make their breakup easier for her, Grande wishes that she could hate her ex, but she is unable to hate him because she has so much love for him deep inside of her.
12. “imperfect for you”: Playing on the phrase “I’m perfect for you,” Grande highlights the importance of imperfections in a healthy relationship through lyrics like “F*cked up, anxious, too much but I’ll love you like you need me to; imperfect for you” and “Mm, how could we know we’d make the bad stuff delightful? Mm I’m glad we crashed and burned, I know we’ll be there for each other.” Through this song, she seems to let her audience know that she is currently in her ideal relationship.
13. “ordinary things” (feat. Nonna): Ending with a spoken message from Grande’s grandmother, Marjorie Grande, on true love, the final song on the album explores the importance of mundane moments in a relationship. Grande sings of all the lavish things that she and her significant other could do together, but concludes that she would rather just have “more time,” as she states that “No matter what we do there’s never gonna be an ordinary thing… with you.” This mindset is important in a relationship, and her grandmother highlights this in her monologue, saying that unless you feel happy when you simply see or talk to your person, you are likely not in the right relationship. This circles right back to the first lines of the album that I highlighted in my review of “intro (end of the world).”

Grande’s long-awaited seventh studio album, eternal sunshine, proves that her hiatus did not affect her talent. It was a pleasure to once again hear her angelic vocals mixed with her impressive lyricism. Additionally, the clear, cohesive narrative of this album and its relation to the movie Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind was well-planned and well-executed, making it one of my favorite albums of hers.