Ariana Grande's 'Brighter Days Ahead': track by track review
| 03/28/25
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Brighter days ahead: Ariana Grande extends her 'Eternal Sunshine' era!
Ariana Grande in promotional image for Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead.
Katia Temkin/Republic RecordsPop icon Ariana Grande has released the deluxe version of her 2025 Grammy-nominated album Eternal Sunshine.
This deluxe edition, dubbed Brighter Days Ahead, includes five new tracks and an extended version of the intro track from Eternal Sunshine.
Written and produced by Grande, the pop star adds to her prolific lore with each lyric. Fans are getting a couple of love songs, some break-up bangers, and even some pointed lyrics at intrusive fans and media at large.
Keep scrolling to read Out's track-by-track review of Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead.
'Intro (End of the World)'
Grande completely changes the vibes on "Intro (End of the World)" in this extended version of the album.
While the original track questioned the strength of a romantic relationship, the extended version picks up in verse two with a striking harmony and asks a former lover to see their relationship from her point of view. Would he still love her after the fact?
"I broke your heart because you broke mine / So, me, I am the bad guy," she sings softly.
Grande's entire album is based in the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and that theme echoes in the last line of the song: "I wish I could un-need you, so I did."
'Twilight Zone'
The next track feels ethereal and dreamy. Referencing the iconic supernatural TV show of the same name where things often aren't what they seem, "Twilight Zone" sounds breezy and light, though the lyrics grieve an intimate betrayal.
"Does she know you're not who you say are / 'Cause I might give her a call," Grande sings. "Pretend these songs aren't about you / Hope this might be the last one / Because I'm not fooling anyone."
It's clear that Grande sees things differently looking back at this relationship. She also seems to be in disbelief at the things she let slide — so much so that she feels the need to warn her ex's new lover.
"It's not like I miss you, I don't / Sometimes I just can't believe / You happened."
'Warm'
"Warm" is a breezy track, and a love song that evokes a feeling that fans haven't heard much from since Grande's Positions era.
"Can you hold the space I require or will you turn the page?" Grande asks her lover in this synth-y song. "'Cause I'm cool / On my own / But it's warmer / In your arms."
'Dandelion'
The brass instrumental in "Dandelion" is an unusual move from Grande that harkens back to her "Focus" era.
Another love song, "Dandelion" delivers some of Grande's signature suggestive lyrics about planting seeds and getting on her knees, with the point driven home by the gobsmacking stacked vocal harmonies.
"Let's get dirty / Dirty," she sings. "Can't you see I bloom at night?"
'Past Life'
Grande lets the music consume her on "Past Life" — a kiss off to someone who sees her differently than she sees herself. "You think I'm lost, but that's just how you found me / Or maybe I'm a stranger after all," she sings. "I'm fine to leave you in a past life."
The dark synths and playful strings give a late 1990s, early 2000s energy to the track, which feels related to her 2024 tracks "The Boy Is Mine" and "True Story."
But is it addressed to a former lover? Or is pointed toward her critics and parasocial fans?
'Hampstead'
The last new track on Brighter Days Ahead boasts some of Grande's best vocals in the entire album. It also seems to be addressed to Grande's fans and/or critics.
The opening line of the song seems to hint at the conclusion of a relationship for the greater good.
"I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead," she begins the track, "And I misplaced my mind in a good way / Ruined my reputation but saved us more heartache / Yes, I know it seems fucked up, and you're right."
Similar to "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)," the pop star slyly addresses her recent controversies and the way her private relationships have been spoken about on social media and in the press.
"You think you've read the book I'm still writing / I can't imagine wanting so badly to be right / Guess I'm forever on your mind."
Despite it all, Grande sings, "I would rather feel everything than nothing every time."
'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead' is out now.
Ariana Grande in the Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead album artwork.
Republic Records
Grande continues to prove why she's the biggest pop star in the world. Despite sharing the deluxe almost a year after the original album's release, the six new tracks are as relevant to her story as ever — a continuation of the Eternal Sunshine era sonically, lyrically, and stylistically.
Grande is still grieving, but is now wiser, and allows herself to feel the depths of grief. The songs are written so masterfully that it's hard to tell who she's writing about, or even how she relates to the media. And, well, perhaps that's the point. Either way, the interweaving of synths and strings along with Grande's iconic vocal harmonies are striking, soothing, and just so damn fun to listen to.
Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead is now available on all music streaming services. Plus, the official Brighter Days Ahead short film co-directed by Christian Breslauer and Ariana Grande premieres Friday, March 28 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET on YouTube.
