Brighter Days Ahead (album)

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Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
The singer stands floating in air as caught by an UFO in a dark atmosphere, in which a blue light stands from the top
Standard cover
Studio album (reissue) by
Ariana Grande
ReleasedMarch 28, 2025 (2025-03-28)
Recorded2024
Genre
Length55:21
LabelRepublic
Producer
Ariana Grande chronology
Wicked: The Soundtrack
(2024) 		Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
(2025)

Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead is a reissue of Eternal Sunshine (2024), the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande. It was released on March 28, 2025, by Republic Records, more than a year after the original album.

Background and release

In July 2024, Grande revealed that a deluxe of Eternal Sunshine was in production, but not set for release "any time super soon" due to her promotional commitments to Wicked.[1] She stated at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards that it was created in 2024 and would be released "at some point".[2] On February 27, 2025, Grande's "sweetener" Instagram account was renamed to "brighterdays".[3] A fake "Brighter Days" hotline was made public on March 4, which included a voicemail greeting of Grande advertising a memory erasure procedure—a reference to the plot of the "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" music video and the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind—at the fictitious "Brighter Days Clinic".[4] A teaser trailer, featuring goods inside a box being lit on fire (a scene from the "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" music video), was released along with a pre-save link on March 8.[5] The reissue, titled Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, was announced on March 10, 2025;[6] pre-orders began on the same day.[7] Grande revealed the bonus tracks' titles and listing on March 17 via her social media.[8] A snippet of deluxe track "Twilight Zone" was previewed via the "Brighter Days" hotline on March 25.[9]

The reissue was released on March 28, 2025, via streaming, download, two CD variants, and two vinyl LP variants.[7] The digital version contains the standard thirteen tracks and six bonus tracks, whilst the physical release comprises the pre-released remixes of "Yes, And?", "Supernatural", and "The Boy Is Mine" featuring other artists, in addition to the standard and bonus tracks.[10] On April 1, 2025, three download-exclusive variants of the album were released via Grande's webstore: an instrumental version, an a capella version, and an alternate cover.[11][11]

Title and cover art

The title Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead is derived from the fictitious "Brighter Days Clinic" in the "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" music video.[12] The standard cover is a "zoomed-out"[13] photograph of Grande in a white dress, levitating in the air, underneath a beam of white light—in the center of a black background. Los 40 called the cover a "metaphor for the album's title",[14] while Hypebeast described it as a "fitting visual for an album promising 'brighter days ahead'".[15]

Music and lyrics

Eternal Sunshine's first deluxe bonus track is an extended version of "Intro (End of the World)". It further expands on the contemplations and questioning of Grande's relationship with her significant other. In the lyrics, she loops back to the ongoing theme of memory erasure from the album.[16][17]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Attitude Magazine
[19]

Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone rated the album with 4 out of 5 stars. He praised the new songs for hitting as hard as the original tracks and described the album as a continuation of her deeply emotional narrative.[20] Writing for Variety, Steven Horowitz praised the album's songwriting and emphasized how Grande is "pop music’s most under-appreciated songwriters, consistently matching concept with execution, and what gave Eternal Sunshine the type of heft that only the best therapy-pop can provide".[21]

She's experimented with genres and become more vulnerable in her songwriting, setting countless records along the way and carving out her place in the ranks of pop's greats.

—The Recording Academy praising Ariana Grande's songwriting[22]

The album's musical tonality was often complimented. Reagan Denning of Melodic Magazine and Amelia Knust from Washington Square News complimented the addition of synth-pop style, describing the album's atmosphere as "haunting melodies and eerie synths to create a ethereal listening experience" and "adding a new layer of synth-pop perfection".[23][24]

Commercial performance

In the United States, Brighter Days Ahead's first-week streams and downloads helped return Eternal Sunshine to number one on the

Top Vinyl Albums and Top Album Sales charts, claiming its 2nd non-consecutive week at number one.[26][27]

Short film

Main article: Brighter Days Ahead

Concurrently with the reissue's release on March 28, a short film titled Brighter Days Ahead premiered via Grande's YouTube channel.[28] Written and directed by Breslauer and Grande,[29][30] the short film is set 70 years after the events of the "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" music video; Grande stars as Peaches, the fictional character introduced in the video.[28] Songs from both the standard version and the reissue of the album are featured in the film.[31] Co-produced by London Alley, the Lucky Bastards, Republic Records, and Grande,[29] fan screenings of Brighter Days Ahead were held on March 30 in Boca Raton, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City.[32]

Track listing

Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead – digital edition
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
14."Intro (End of the World)" (extended)Grande
  • Grande
  • Yasuda
  • Lee
  • Cheung
  • Grande
  • Yasuda
  • Lee
  • Paris
2:41
15."Twilight Zone"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:18
16."Warm"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
3:21
17."Dandelion"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:24
18."Past Life"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:35
19."Hampstead"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:36
Total length:55:21
Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead – physical edition
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
14."Intro (End of the World)" (extended)Grande
  • Grande
  • Yasuda
  • Lee
  • Cheung
  • Grande
  • Yasuda
  • Lee
  • Paris
2:41
15."Yes, And?" (remix; with Mariah Carey)
  • Grande
  • Carey
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Carey
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:35
16."Supernatural" (remix; with Troye Sivan)
  • Grande
  • Sivan
  • McLaughlin
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
2:43
17."The Boy Is Mine" (remix; with Brandy and Monica)
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Yasuda
  • Davidior
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Yasuda
  • Davidior
3:33
18."Twilight Zone"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:18
19."Warm"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Görres
3:21
20."Dandelion"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:24
21."Past Life"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:35
22."Hampstead"Grande
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
  • Grande
  • Martin
  • Ilya
3:36
Total length:65:16

Personnel

Musicians

  • Ariana Grande – lead vocals (all tracks)
  • Shintaro Yasuda – keyboards, programming (track 14)
  • Nick Lee – keyboards, programming, trombone (track 14)
  • Aaron Paris – programming (track 14)
  • Aaron Cheung – bass, guitar, synthesizer, violin (track 14)
  • Ilya
    – bass, drums, keyboards, programming, co-arrangement (tracks 15, 17–19)
  • Max Martin – bass, drums, co-arrangement (track 15, 17–19); keyboards, programming (tracks 15–19)
  • Oscar Görres – bass, drums, guitar, programming (track 16)
  • Jesse McGinty – tenor saxophone, trombone, trumpet (track 17)
  • Rashawn Ross – trumpet (track 17)
  • Davide Rossi – violin, viola, cello, string arrangement (track 19)

Technical

  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Bryce Bordone – mixing;
    engineering
    (track 15–19)
  • mastering
  • Eric Eylands – recording (track 14)
  • Lou Carrao – engineering
  • Sam Holland – engineering
  • Daniel Clarke-DiCandilo – additional engineering (track 17)
  • Jashua Conolly – additional engineering (track 17)

Charts

Chart performance for Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[33] 2
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[34] 49
Icelandic Albums (
Tónlistinn)[35]
 12
Italian Albums (FIMI)[36] 7
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[37] 21
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[38] 7
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[39] 14
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[40] 30

Release history

Release history for Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various March 28, 2025
Standard Republic [41][42]
United States April 1, 2025
  • Digital download
  • Alternate digital cover
  • a capella
  • instrumental
 [43]
Various April 4, 2025 Streaming [44]

References

  1. ^ Garcia, Thania (July 10, 2024). "Ariana Grande Reveals Deluxe Issue of 'Eternal Sunshine' Is in the Works, Teases 'Mini Little' Tour". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Zemler, Emily (January 6, 2025). "Ariana Grande Confirms Plans to Release Another Expansion of 'Eternal Sunshine'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  3. ^ Clarke, Grace (March 8, 2025). "Everything to Know About Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' Deluxe Album". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Dresdale, Andrea (March 4, 2025). "Ariana Grande teases 'eternal sunshine' deluxe with fake phone hotline". ABC Audio. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Pilley, Max (March 9, 2025). "Ariana Grande posts teaser for 'Eternal Sunshine' deluxe edition". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Conteh, Makaprr (March 10, 2025). "Ariana Grande Announces 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Saulog, Gabriel (March 11, 2025). "Ariana Grande Announces 'eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead' Release". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Dailey, Hannah (March 17, 2025). "Ariana Grande Unveils 'Eternal Sunshine' Deluxe Tracklist: See All 6 Additional Titles". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Dailey, Hannah (March 26, 2025). "Ariana Grande Ages Decades as 'Peaches' in New 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film Teaser: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  10. ^ Wang, Steffanee (March 10, 2025). "All the details of Ariana Grande's brighter days ahead". The Fader. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Marrero, Ariana (April 2, 2025). "Ariana Grande Releases New Brighter Days Ahead Versions". Glitter Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  12. ^ Dresdale, Andrea (March 10, 2025). "Ariana Grande's 'eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead' coming March 28". ABC Audio. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  13. ^ Dailey, Hannah (March 10, 2025). "Ariana Grande Announces 'Eternal Sunshine' Deluxe: Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "Ariana Grande Confirms Eternal Sunshine Deluxe and Its Release Date". Los 40. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Ki, Adelle (March 11, 2025). "Ariana Grande Announces 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead'". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  16. ^ Denis, Kyle (March 28, 2025). "Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead' Deluxe: All 6 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  17. ^ Rexrode, Martina (March 28, 2025). "Every New Song On Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine Deluxe Album, Ranked". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference RS_ReissueReview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference AttitudeESreview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Sheffield, Rob (March 28, 2025). "Ariana Grande Reaches Even Deeper on 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  21. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (March 28, 2025). "Ariana Grande Revisits the Pain and Joy of Love Lost and Found on 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  22. ^ Aikins, Gabriel (March 31, 2025). "5 Ariana Grande's Musical Growth In 15 Tracks, From "The Way" To "Hampstead"". Grammy. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  23. ^ Minerva, Siobhan; Knust, Amelia (April 4, 2025). "Review: Ariana Grande radiates authenticity on 'eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead'". Washington Square News. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  24. ^ Denning, Reagan (March 29, 2025). "Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead' brings new music and a cinematic experience". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  25. ^ Caulfield, Keith (April 6, 2025). "Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 After 'Brighter Days Ahead' Reissue". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  26. ^ "Ariana Grande | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  27. ^ "Ariana Grande | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  28. ^ a b Martoccio, Angie (March 28, 2025). "An Elderly Ariana Grande Relives Memories in 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Iasimone, Ashley (March 23, 2025). "Ariana Grande Announces 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film Screenings in Select Cities". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2025. On the page is also a movie poster for Brighter Days Ahead, as seen below, crediting it as a film written and directed by Christian Breslauer and Ariana Grande, and as a London Alley and The Lucky Bastards Inc production in association with Grande and Republic Records.
  30. ISSN 0010-9541. Archived
    from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  31. ^ Dailey, Hannah (March 28, 2025). "Ariana Grande 'Closes the Door' on 'Eternal Sunshine' Era With 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  32. ^ Pointer, Flisadam (March 23, 2025). "Ariana Grande Unveils Special 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film Screenings Ahead Of Her 'Eternal Sunshine' Deluxe Album". Uproxx. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  33. ^ "Lista prodaje 14. tjedan 2025" [Sales list Week 14 2025] (in Croatian). HDU. April 6, 2025. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  34. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 14.Týden 2025 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  35. ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 14. Birt 5. apríl 2025 – Næst uppfært 12. apríl 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 5, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  36. ^ "Album & Compilation – Classifica settimanale WK 14 (dal 28.03.2025 al 03.04.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  37. ^ "2025 14-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 4, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  38. ^ "Album 2025 uke 14". VG-lista. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  39. ^ "Top 200 Álbuns Semana 14 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  40. ^ "Top 100 Slovak Albums". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  41. ^ Citations concerning Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead release formats:
  42. ^ Grande, Ariana (March 28, 2025). "eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead". Apple Music. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  43. ^ * "Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead Digital Album (Alt Cover)". Shop | Ariana Grande. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  44. ^ "eternal sunshine deluxe alternate versions". www.linkfire.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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