Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” Album Takes Pop Music to New Heights

A Captivating Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation

In Michel Gondry’s durable 2004 sci-fi romcom “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Jim Carrey plays Joel Barish, a shaggy, heartsick man who undergoes a medical procedure that promises to evict every memory of an ex-girlfriend from the interior of his skull. Listening to pop music in 2024 can feel the same way. In the streaming age, we remain overwhelmed by choice, frequently making the easiest forms of engagement feel something like surrender. Pop superstars have become idols, reigniting the age-old debate of whether they are worthy of our utmost adoration or a closer look at their vast wealth and influence within an unequal world.

A New Album that Unveils Ariana’s Vulnerability

Ariana Grande, the multi-talented global sensation, has unveiled her latest album “Eternal Sunshine.” Taking inspiration from Gondry’s film, the album provides a curious and introspective look into Grande’s own journey. While her recent difficult experiences have been a subject of widespread gossip, Grande chooses a different approach in these new songs, shrouding her lyrics in obscurity. Utilizing the inherent tenderness of her voice, she skillfully conceals the details of a wounded heart, sparking curiosity and raising questions. Has Grande herself undergone the memory wipe she sings about, or is she conducting the procedure on her audience?

A Nostalgic Journey Through Time

Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” album is a delightful melange of contemporary pop music and retro influences. With her unmatched falsetto, she seamlessly evokes past pop classics, tugging at our musical memories. As her voice delicately sways to the beat, Grande transports us back to the soulful rendition of Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” from 1998. She enthralls us with the disco-infused rhythm of “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” awakening recollections of dancing solo to Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” in 2010. Grande masterfully blends the upbeat pop-house genre in “Yes, And?,” summoning nostalgic memories of Madonna’s 1990 hit “Vogue,” and offering a visual homage to Paula Abdul’s “Cold Hearted” from the preceding year. Collaborating with the musical genius Max Martin, Grande vividly evokes the era of millennial megahits penned for Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and more.

An Affectionate Soundscape

While Grande’s influences may be readily identifiable, her delivery breathes new life into the past. She seamlessly traverses time, with her exceptionally tender vocals enveloping the album in a delicate embrace. “Eternal Sunshine” boasts inviting melodies influenced by the contours of R&B, devoid of the pains and catharsis often associated with the genre. Grande’s graceful phrasing, resembling the tapping of brakes, prompts us to pause time and revel in the fleeting present. Listen closely to the captivating moments of silence she inserts in “The Boy Is Mine,” subtly coaxing us to perceive every second attentively.

An Ambiguous Journey to the Present

By immersing herself in the present, Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” album strives to transcend the past. Delicately treading the tightrope between person and persona, the album effortlessly merges the music with the listener. Its frictionless beats, smooth melodies, and familiar references craft an album that is effortlessly accessible. Yet, paradoxically, such music can be easy to forget. It brings forth the poignant question of whether music that is easy to embrace is equally easy to dismiss. Though the album will captivate audiences, its effects may fade, ultimately leaving us empty of any lasting memories.