Ariana Grande has always been a huge part of my life. From the moment I first watched her on Nickelodeon as a kid to now, she has been a constant presence—an artist I’ve grown up with in more ways than one. Every album she releases seems to align with different chapters of my own life, and her latest deluxe album, Brighter Days Ahead, is no exception.
This album is an extension of Eternal Sunshine, which came out in March last year, and once again, Ariana delivers a deeply personal yet universally relatable collection of songs. Her music has always resonated with me, but these past two albums have hit in a way that feels even more profound. Maybe it’s because I’m growing up, evolving, and navigating my own emotions just as she is. Maybe it’s because her ability to pour raw, unfiltered emotion into her music makes it feel like she’s articulating feelings I haven’t even put into words myself.
One of the things I love most about Brighter Days Ahead is how it expands on the themes of Eternal Sunshine: self-reflection, healing, and the bittersweet process of moving forward. Songs like “Twilight Zone” immediately stood out to me because of the way they capture the complexities of love, loss, and growth. Ariana has a way of making even the simplest lyrics feel like a gut punch and a hug at the same time. As someone who has been doing a lot of self-discovery lately, this album has been the perfect soundtrack.
Beyond the music, Ariana herself has always been a comfort artist to me. Seeing her go through different eras—both musically and personally—has often mirrored my own life in different ways. From her early days of pop star anthems to the vulnerability of her recent work, her music has evolved just as I have. There’s something incredibly special about growing up alongside an artist, watching them change while still holding onto the essence of what made you love them in the first place.
Brighter Days Ahead feels like a reminder that no matter how lost you feel or how much life changes, there is always light ahead. It’s a continuation of Ariana’s journey, but in many ways, it feels like a continuation of my own. And that’s what makes her music so special—her ability to connect, comfort, and remind us that we’re never really alone in what we’re feeling.
Listen to Brighter Days Ahead here!
ZOE KENNEDY 