This past year, many fans have been wondering why Ariana Grande hasn’t released much music. Since February of 2024, when the original “Eternal Sunshine” album came out, we haven’t gotten anything new — but she’s definitely been busy. Almost all of her 2024 calendar year was taken over by promotion for “Wicked,” in which she played Glinda Upland next to Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the musical movie adaptation (which earned her an Oscar nomination!). What we didn’t know was that Grande was secretly working on a deluxe version of the album.

That’s why the release of “Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead” on Friday, March 28, came as a surprise. Especially since, when Grande was asked about her music career back in December, she said she wanted to focus more on theater. But we were wrong. The deluxe album came out so unexpectedly, including six extra tracks — some extended versions and some completely new songs that dig even deeper into the emotions of the original. She also dropped a 30-minute short video on YouTube to support the release.

Grande’s original version of “Eternal Sunshine,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2024 and stayed there for nearly two weeks, showed a more personal and emotional side of Grande. The lyrics felt real and raw, with many songs inspired by events in her life, like her divorce from Dalton Gomez (especially in the song “We Can’t Be Friends,” which was nominated for Best Video at the 2024 VMAs), the loss of her former boyfriend Mac Miller and her journey back to herself.

Now, with “Brighter Days Ahead,” she continues that story — this time focusing more on healing, reflection and moving forward.

Two of my favorite songs from the deluxe edition are “Twilight Zone” and “Past Life.” They’re emotional and powerful, and they add something new to the narrative. “Twilight Zone” is a dreamy, mid-tempo track that talks about dealing with old memories. The layered vocals and moody vibe make it one of the most unique songs on the album. “Past Life” is a soft, sad reflection on a love that wasn’t meant to last and how the person we once loved might become a total stranger to us. With lyrics about fate and second chances, it is a song about goodbyes and new beginnings.

So, you may be asking, are the new songs worth a listen? Definitely. I’ve had this album on repeat since it dropped, the lyricism in these deluxe tracks is both heart-touching and amazing when it comes to storytelling. I can’t wait to see what Ariana has in store for us next — whether it’s her new theater project, “Wicked: For Good” this November or more music. One thing’s for sure: it’s only bright days ahead for her.