One year of eternal sunshine: The album that defined Ariana Grande’s artistry

One year ago today, Ariana Grande released what I truly believe is the best project of her career.

Eternal sunshine isn’t just an album - it’s an experience, a novel of emotions wrapped in stunning production and deeply personal lyrics.

It’s the kind of record that makes you feel something with every listen.

From the delicate yet haunting vulnerability of “intro (end of the world)” to the defiant confidence of “yes, and?” and everything in between, this album is perfect.

Every song feels deliberate, raw, and beautifully crafted.

And yet, despite how much eternal sunshine meant to so many of us, the Grammys somehow managed to snub it entirely.

More on that later, but first, let’s take a moment to celebrate the album that truly cemented Ariana’s place as one of the greatest artists of our time.

Ariana’s most personal and cohesive work yet

We’ve watched Ariana evolve from her early Nickelodeon days - where her powerhouse vocals were already undeniable - to a full-fledged pop icon.

From the R&B-influenced debut of Yours Truly to the game-changing duo of Sweetener and thank u, next (which will forever be part of the holy trinity of her best work), each era has marked a new chapter in her artistry.

But eternal sunshine feels like the moment where everything truly clicked.

This wasn’t just an album; it was a deep dive into Ariana’s heart and mind, reflecting her personal journey through love, loss, and self-discovery.

Lyrically, it’s some of her strongest work yet.

“Bye” is the breakup anthem that’s both self-aware and bittersweet. “supernatural” captures that exhilarating, almost otherworldly feeling of falling in love again.

Then there's "imperfect for you," a masterclass in lyrical and musical ingenuity.

Ariana uses clever wordplay, singing "imperfect for you," which listeners can interpret as both "I'm perfect for you" and "I'm imperfect for you."

Genius.

Notably, in the chorus, when she sings the phrase "imperfect for you," the melody intentionally shifts off-key, sonically embodying the concept of imperfection.

Again, genius.

And then there’s the title track, “eternal sunshine,” which is one of the most emotionally devastating yet gorgeous songs she’s ever made - giving us a glimpse into the pain, regret, and eventual acceptance of a failed relationship.

Even sonically, the album feels incredibly cohesive.

It seamlessly blends pop, R&B, and electronic elements, with Ariana’s signature harmonies weaving through each track like a warm, familiar embrace.

The ‘slightly deluxe and live’ version and the hopes for a true deluxe

Just days after the original release of Eternal Sunshine, Ariana surprised us with the 'slightly deluxe' edition on March 10, 2024.

This version wasn't a typical deluxe; it featured four bonus tracks, including a remix of ‘supernatural’ with Troye Sivan and the pre-released Mariah Carey remix of ‘yes, and?’.

Months later, on October 1, 2024, she delighted fans again with the 'slightly deluxe and also live' edition.

This release included the standard 13 tracks, the previous remixes, the Brandy and Monica remix of "the boy is mine," and live versions of seven songs, capturing the raw emotion and energy of her performances.

While the live renditions added a new layer of intimacy to the album, they also made us crave a full-fledged deluxe release with new songs.

And now, a year later, it seems like we might finally be getting one.

At the 2025 Oscars, Ariana teased that something was coming, telling fans to “keep your eyes peeled.”

It’s the confirmation we’ve been hoping for, and honestly, if there’s more eternal sunshine music out there, I need it like yesterday.

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A Grammy snub that still stings

Despite eternal sunshine being one of the most sonically cohesive, emotionally raw, and lyrically brilliant albums of the past year, the Grammy nominations felt…underwhelming.

Sure, the album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, and Ariana also received nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("the boy is mine" remix with Brandy & Monica) and Best Dance Pop Recording ("yes, and?"), but that was it.

No Album of the Year nomination. No recognition for "we can't be friends (wait for your love)", which is not only one of Ariana’s best songs ever but also a lyrical masterpiece.

The way that song operates on two levels - both as a poetic reflection on fame and as a gut-wrenching breakup ballad - is genius. And yet, the Recording Academy completely ignored it.

Ariana didn’t even attend the ceremony, and honestly? I can’t blame her. If this is the way the Grammys treat one of the best albums of the year, what’s the point?

Then again, maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised.

To be fair, the Recording Academy did finally give Beyoncé her long-overdue Album of the Year win for Cowboy Carter, so at least they got something right this time.

But Ariana not even being in the conversation for AOTY? It’s just another reminder that the Grammys’ recognition doesn’t always align with true artistry.

But here’s the thing: Grammy or not, eternal sunshine was a cultural and artistic triumph.

It should have been in the Album of the Year conversation. It should have gotten more nominations.

But as we’ve seen time and time again, the Grammys don’t always get it right.

One year later: Why eternal sunshine remains special

For me, eternal sunshine is Ariana Grande’s magnum opus.

Every song is layered with meaning - both lyrically and sonically. Ariana, the queen of vocal layering, has mastered the art of stacking harmonies so seamlessly that they feel like a second heartbeat to each track.

Every lyric hits just right, and the production strikes that perfect balance between nostalgic and fresh.

It’s the kind of album that grows with you, revealing new emotions with each listen.

A year later, it still feels just as powerful, just as raw, just as real.

And as we eagerly await the rumored deluxe edition, one thing is clear: eternal sunshine is not just another album in Ariana Grande’s discography - it’s the album.

Happy one-year anniversary to a masterpiece.

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