Upon First Listen: 'eternal sunshine' Ariana Grande

There is the sound of reverie in this vocal talent that we have become so desensitised to. Ariana Grandes recent home wrecking media moments have been odd and entertaining. However this album communicates that she feels settled in a way - the way a ponytail holder falls to the bottom of the ocean, this album is the dapple of sunshine that marbles atop. It is a sweet, gentle but confident "fuck you." Grande enunciates this with aerated vocals throughout the entirety of these tracks, a tone she has not shown an album sized focus to before. This minimalistic approach demands attention to detail, sucking us into the witty, ambiguous lyrics. It feels reminiscent of thank u next, that of which is spacey and experimental in production. Standouts of this effect  being: imperfect for you and supernatural.  The immeasurable vocal capabilities of Grande shine on this album through her ornate harmonies, that of which you can hear every layer with priceless clarity. The influence of 70/80/90s synths is evident on each track, following the modern trailblazers of this sound The Weekend and Dua Lipa. A highlight is true story, unmistakably paced like a classic Destinys Child song.

This album is an excellent representation of where Grande is in her life. The song writing that demands nuance (extremely necessary for Grandes current lifestyle), coupled with the five star production (courtesy of our favourite Max Martin), will result in undeniable hits. Grande continues to pull those golden strings, playing with tempo, layering and harmony in a way that is effortless and unique to only her. eternal sunshine is a pretty and engaging representation of Grandes sound and character at this point in her career.

Predicted Hit: Supernatural