A little over a year ago, Ariana Grande made the pop world a little bit lighter with the release of Eternal Sunshine, her seventh studio album. Crafted in the afterglow of her divorce from realtor Dalton Gomez during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes that paused production on Wicked, Eternal Sunshine arrived atop the Billboard 200, becoming her sixth album to reach the summit. The album launched two Hot 100 No. 1 hits: "We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" and "Yes, And?" Since its release, Grande has garnered three Grammy nominations for the LP and its singles, including a rework of "The Boy Is Mine" featuring Brandy and Monica. Additionally, she has released live renditions of nearly half the record and has begun teasing a short film inspired by the "Peaches" storyline that began with the "We Can’t Be Friends" music video.
About midway through 2024, Grande shifted her focus to all things G(a)linda in the movie Wicked. Alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, Grande and the Wicked cast racked up over $744 million at the global box office and received 10 Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning best costume design and best production design. For her performance in the Jon M. Chu-helmed film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, Grande earned her first Oscar nod for best supporting actress. At the March 2 ceremony, she and Erivo opened the show with a medley of Oz classics, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Defying Gravity".
On March 12, 2025, Grande announced the Brighter Days Ahead short film to accompany the final deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine. This new edition features six new solo tracks, including an extended version of "Intro (End of the World)." Grande has spent most of March teasing both the new songs and the short film via her Brighter Days hotline (934-33-ERASE), teaser trailers, and cryptic social media posts. Co-directed by Grande and Christian Breslauer, Brighter Days Ahead draws inspiration from 2004’s Oscar-winning Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, following Grande’s Peaches character as she explores the memories she erased in the "We Can’t Be Friends" music video.
Among the new tracks is "Dandelion," which showcases Grande's signature blend of pop and R&B. The song begins with deep, sultry brass reminiscent of the horns on "Ordinary Things" and quickly transforms into a fiery amalgamation of pounding bass and shimmering synths. Grande delivers playful lyrics, stretching the flower metaphor with lines like, "I got/ What you need/ I’m thinking you should/ Plant this seed," and "Boy, come blow this/ Know I’m on your wish list." This track is just one of many that highlight her evolution as an artist.
Another standout track, "Intro (End of the World) — Extended," builds on the original with two new verses that delve deeper into the emotional aftermath of a relationship. Grande sings, "I broke your heart because you broke mine/ So me, I am the bad guy/ ‘Cause I’d already grieved you/ And you started to realize/ I do need you/ I wish I could un-need/ So I did." This extended cut captures the essence of the album's overarching theme of memory erasure.
As the album progresses, "Warm" introduces a love-after-divorce narrative, built around the metaphor of temperature. Grande sings, "‘Cause I’m cool/ On my own/ But it’s warmer/ In your arms," exploring the anticipation of first romantic connections after a breakup. The track maintains the pop bona fides of Eternal Sunshine while showcasing her knack for poignant songwriting.
"Twilight Zone" pumps energy into the deluxe edition with a somber synth-pop beat, as Grande reflects on the complexities of romantic relationships. She ponders warning her ex’s new partner about his manipulative ways while recognizing her own role in the dynamic. The lyrics, "Why do I still protect you?/ Pretend these songs aren’t about you?" illustrate her internal struggle.
As the album continues, Grande delivers a powerful vocal performance in "Hampstead," which has been described as one of her best ballads to date. The sparse arrangement of piano and strings allows her heartfelt lyrics to shine, as she declares, "I’d rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view." Named after the North London neighborhood where she lived during the filming of Wicked, the song addresses critics of her personal life and reflects on her journey of self-discovery.
Grande's experience during the making of Wicked drastically changed her personal life, leading to the end of her marriage to Dalton Gomez and a new relationship with her co-star Ethan Slater, who also experienced a separation during this time. When news of their relationship broke in July 2023, it sparked widespread commentary and speculation. In "Hampstead," Grande confronts these critics, reminding them that they know little about her reality during that period. She stated in a January BBC interview, "I loved meandering around, and visiting different shops and places and pubs....It’s so delightful and fun."
In a September 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Grande expressed her frustration with the negative narratives surrounding her love life, stating, "The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it. That was definitely a tough ride." She praised Slater, saying, "No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bullshit tabloid can rewrite in real life."
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Wicked: For Good, set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025, they can find solace in the emotional depth and musical brilliance of Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead. With tracks like "Hampstead" and "Dandelion" resonating deeply with listeners, it's clear that Ariana Grande is not only a pop sensation but also a storyteller who is unafraid to share her journey, heartbreaks, and triumphs through her music.
