Okay Ari fans get ready for a serious double take! Ariana Grande just dropped the deluxe version of her album 'Eternal Sunshine' and it comes with a short film 'Brighter Days Ahead' that is totally mind-bending. We are talking Ariana like you have never seen her before wrinkles gray hair and all ! Let's dive into this crazy transformation and what the deluxe album is all about.
From Pop Star to… Older Lady? Ariana's Incredible Transformation into "Older Peaches" is Wild!
Ariana is known for switching up her looks but this time she went all out. For the 'Brighter Days Ahead' short film she transformed into an aged-up version of her 'Peaches' character from the 'We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)' music video. We are talking full-on movie magic here. Prosthetic wrinkles gray wig the works!
This "older Peaches" is not just a quick costume change. It’s a legit transformation thanks to award-winning makeup artist Justin Raleigh. Ariana even shared a selfie on her Instagram Stories showing off the faux wrinkles and graying eyebrows. It's pretty convincing stuff!
Even with the age makeup some classic Ariana touches are still there. She is rocking her signature French manicure a curled ponytail and pastel outfits. It's like Peaches just jumped forward in time but kept her essential style intact. This detail really makes the whole thing even more believable and a bit eerie if you ask me.
Memory Lane Mayhem: Inside Ariana's 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film and its Story
So what is this short film even about? Well 'Brighter Days Ahead' which is almost 30 minutes long is a continuation of the 'We Can't Be Friends' storyline and it’s all inspired by the movie 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. In the film older Peaches arrives at Brighter Days Inc. for "advanced memory restoration".
Basically she is going back into her own memories both the good and the bad ones. The film description on YouTube says it lets her "go back in time to connect with her younger self and relive cherished and painful memories". Sounds intense right?
And it is! In the short film we see older Peaches watching these flashbacks from her life. There are sweet moments like actual childhood footage of Ariana with her family and clips of her parents and grandparents dancing. But it's not all sunshine and roses. There's a scene in the house from 'We Can't Be Friends' but now it is flooded and wrecked. Things get pretty surreal. At one point Peaches even seems to get abducted by a UFO! The film is set to tracks from 'Eternal Sunshine' and the new deluxe songs really adding to the emotional vibe.
Vulture describes one of the later memories as her "doctor father Frankenstein-ing her back together" while the song 'Hampstead' plays. It's a lot to take in and definitely worth watching to see how Ariana visually interprets the themes of her album.
'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe': What New Songs Add to Ariana's Emotional Rollercoaster Album?
The 'Brighter Days Ahead' short film is to promote the deluxe edition of 'Eternal Sunshine' which is officially called 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead'. This deluxe version adds six new songs or "five-and-a-half" as Variety cleverly puts it since one track is an extended intro.
These new songs are not totally different from the original album but they definitely add another layer. Variety’s review says they "enhance what’s already there" and act like a "capstone on a conflicting chapter" in Ariana’s life. Think of it as getting even more insight into her feelings after a very public divorce and starting a new relationship.
Tracks like 'Past Life' show Ariana ready to move on singing "Might f around and elevate my expectations. Now I’m fine to leave you in a past life." The 'Intro (End of the World) – Extended' version becomes a full song exploring heartbreak and needing to un-need someone. Other new tracks like 'Twilight Zone' 'Warm' and 'Hampstead' touch on themes of disbelief new romance and finding herself again in new places.
Variety highlights that 'Hampstead' is a simple ballad but showcases Ariana's vocal growth. Overall the deluxe tracks are described as "fleshy" "contemplated" and "mellifluous" basically more of that signature Ariana sound but with added emotional depth.
No Tour on the Horizon but Ariana is Loving Acting (and Looking Amazing on Red Carpets!)
While new music is exciting don't expect Ariana to hit the road for a tour anytime soon. She told Variety back in December that she is really focused on acting right now especially after her role in 'Wicked'. She said acting is "feeling like home right now" and that she wants to explore "different forms of art". She did say music and performing will "always be a part of my life" but touring is not in her immediate plans.
Speaking of 'Wicked' Ariana has been killing it on the red carpet during awards season. Allure mentions that stylist Mimi Cuttrell helped her create "a magical wardrobe" that pays homage to Glinda and 'Wicked'. Her Oscars look a blush pink Schiaparelli gown with tons of sequins and rhinestones was a total showstopper. It really does seem like Ariana is entering a new era both musically and style-wise and we are here for it!
'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead' - Key Highlights:
- Deluxe Album Release: Ariana Grande drops extended version of 'Eternal Sunshine' with new tracks.
- 'Brighter Days Ahead' Short Film: 26-minute film accompanying deluxe album featuring Ariana as "older Peaches".
- Aging Transformation: Ariana undergoes impressive prosthetic makeup transformation to play older version of character.
- Memory Exploration: Short film explores Peaches revisiting cherished and painful memories inspired by 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'.
- New Tracks: Deluxe version includes new songs like "Past Life" "Intro (End of the World) – Extended" "Twilight Zone" "Warm" and "Hampstead" adding emotional depth to the album.
- Focus on Acting: Ariana confirms no tour in near future prioritizing acting roles like Glinda in 'Wicked'.
Is 'Brighter Days Ahead' Worth Checking Out? Our Verdict
If you are an Ariana Grande fan or just love visually interesting music projects 'Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead' is definitely worth checking out. The "older Peaches" transformation is wild the short film is a unique artistic statement and the new songs give even more insight into Ariana's emotional world. While a tour might be off the table for now Ariana is clearly still creating and evolving as an artist and this deluxe edition is a cool snapshot of where she is at right now. Go give it a listen and watch and let us know what you think!