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Posted by: LewisGT 12th March 2024, 04:44 PM

To celebrate the release of Ariana's 7th studio album, the listening party concept returns for 'eternal sunshine'.

Join us tomorrow (Wednesday 13th March) at 8:00 PM GMT.

As a reminder of the concept, a5 7PM tomorrow, we will all separately press play on 'eternal sunshine' using our preferred streaming services so we're in sync. We will then listen along together and post any thoughts and comments in this thread. We'll listen to the 'slightly deluxe' version as it's only 12 minutes longer, so the whole session will last about 47 minutes.

Here are some useful links to help out:

SPOTIFY



APPLE MUSIC



YOUTUBE

Posted by: Jade 12th March 2024, 04:54 PM

hype!

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 12th March 2024, 07:58 PM

I'll be here but I may be a little late unfortunately!

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 04:14 PM

What time can you make? We can delay it maybe.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 06:51 PM

I should be free up until about 9pm so happy to delay slightly if others are, maybe 8pm or so? But will make 7pm if the plans don't change

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 06:53 PM

I don't mind delaying, unless anyone posts that they won't be able to make it, then let's say 8PM.

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 06:58 PM

I'll be here at 8!

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 06:59 PM

see you guys in an hour!

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 07:49 PM

I can make 8, hype!

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 07:54 PM

Yay!

5 minutes warning!

Posted by: Brer 13th March 2024, 07:59 PM

I'm listening btw but probably won't be posting during x

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 07:59 PM

1. intro (end of the world)

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:00 PM

let's gooooooo

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:01 PM

A really good intro imo, the production is really lush. A perfect way to introduce the album's aesthetic for me

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:01 PM

Ari's first explicit intro

Sounds nice but it hasn't hit me fully yet

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:01 PM

2. bye

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:03 PM

I'm loving 'bye' at the moment. Definitely one that caught me on the first listen.

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:03 PM

I absolutely adore 'bye' Probably my fav from the album already, a mega-bop. I also love the contrast between the fun vibe of the track and the deeply emotional lyrics from Ari's part.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:03 PM

Watching part 2 of Ariana's Zach Sang interview earlier helped me appreciate the maturity of these lyrics. I like the super personal touches ("Courtney just pulled up in the driveway") and the chorus is definitely an earworm, not a top tier favourite at the moment though.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:04 PM

3. don't wanna break up again

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:05 PM

'don't wanna break up again' is my least favourite at the moment, it took quite a lot of listens for me to remember how it went

Hoping it grows on me more.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:05 PM

This has been the biggest grower for me over the week. It's starting to be one of of my faves.

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:06 PM

'don't wanna break up again' is another very emotional cut from the album but it is one of my favs for sure

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:07 PM

4. Saturn Returns Interlude

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:07 PM

5. eternal sunshine

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:07 PM

Hits you over the head... hits you over the head... hits you over the head *.* so ready for the rest of the album!!

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:08 PM

I'm here now!

The intro is gorgeous and she sounds stunning on it. 'bye' was my favourite on first listen and is still my favourite now, what a bop <3 'don't wanna break up again' is great too, one that has definitely grown since first listen

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:09 PM

I'm not quite sure I understand the interlude yet.

The title track on the other hand Definitely my choice for a third single.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:09 PM

Love the direct references to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind here what a lush chorus!

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:09 PM

The title track is probably my second favourite on the album, another huge grower! Production and vocals are both lush *.*

'hope you feel alright when you're in her' made me GASP on first listen

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:11 PM

'saturn returns interlude' is a very good transition into 'eternal sunshine'.

As for 'eternal sunshine', production-wise it feels like it could've easily fitted onto 'thank u, next' or 'positions', slightly uninspired imo. The song has a very memorable hook imo. The 'played me like Atari' line does make me slightly cringe, iconic tho

I should watch 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' one day tbh

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:11 PM

6. supernatural

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:12 PM

'supernatural' has definitely been my biggest grower so far would love this to be a future single!

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:12 PM

'supernatural' is actually one that's been dropping down my rankings. It has one of the more forgettable choruses I think.

I haven't heard the Troye Sivan version yet so I'm intrigued to hear it later.

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:13 PM

supernatural is so dreamy I think I'm preferring the version with Troye atm but I love the original too!

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:13 PM

Definitely do, it's one of my all-time faves. One of the most original and crazily affecting films I've seen.

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:13 PM

'supernatural' yet another fantastic track from the album, I think I do prefer the Troye version tho (I did think he would sound very good on this song before the remix was released)

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:14 PM

7. true story

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:15 PM

'true story' is one of the weaker songs on the album for me. It sounds like a bit like a better produced Little Mix album track imo oop

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:15 PM

This is probably my least favourite on the album. LOVE the production though and it's grown a lot since first listen *.*

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:15 PM

'true story' is already massively underrated for me.

It's basically an intro to 'the boy is mine' but it's actually better than it imo. I love the production especially and Ari's vocals on 'truuuuue' are heavenly.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:15 PM

I really like the production of this one and the "gimme love love" refrain <3

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:16 PM

8. the boy is mine

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:17 PM

'the boy is mine' is screaming out to be a summer single *.* the production quirks on this one, e.g. the false start at the beginning of the chorus, have really clicked with me on subsequent listens

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:18 PM

A bop! One of the weaker songs on the album for me (although the song isn't weak AT ALL). It has grown quite a bit on me since my first listen

That slowed-down bit before the chorus always gets me

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:18 PM

'the boy is mine' has been growing on me to be fair but I was hoping for a bit more. I do like how the vocals in the chorus are dragged out slightly.

Quite a subtle use of the Monica/Brandy track too.

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:18 PM

THE BOY IS MINE

This one didn't click straight away for me but I love it now! Definitely one of the most catchy on the album, I always find myself randomly singing it

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:19 PM

9. yes, and?

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:20 PM

This is still an absolute banger for me! I'm glad the album turned out how it did but not mad at a bit of house music on it.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:20 PM

I love 'yes, and' but now the albums out, it can be forgotten about. I can definitely see why it was the first single and the 'd**k I ride' implied lyric is a bit iconic but it's so different to the rest of the album, it does give slight whiplash.

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:22 PM

BANGER!!!!!!! This was a phenomenal way to kick off the era. It feels like a very important moment in the context of the album. Lyrically, 'yes, and?' is very much a celebratory song (because we all need a bit of light in the darkness) whereas the rest of the album's material is pretty heavy.

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:22 PM

It's a cute bop but I still don't think it should've been the lead tbh! Definitely towards the bottom of my album ranking, but that says more about the quality of this album to be fair <3

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:23 PM

10. we can't be friends (wait for your love)

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:24 PM

Hopefully a future UK #1

The video is where the references to the film really come alive and I'm here for it!

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:25 PM

already an all-time great Ari single

Love the lyrical content, synth production, vocal performance, music video... no notes, would be such an amazing U.K. #1 if it gets there

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:27 PM

11. i wish i hated you

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:27 PM

'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' probably would've been a more successful lead than 'yes, and?' but I'm happy to see both songs get a chance being under the spotlight. I love the production of this song SO MUCH I can really feel the raw honesty and emotion in Ari's lyrics + vocals in this song as well, I really hope this smashes.

Very happy that Ari wrote the lyrics for this album, I don't think the album would sound the same at all if they hadn't.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:27 PM

Ari's voice crack on the second chorus of 'i wish i hated you' gets me every time

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:27 PM

This is my least favourite of the tracks atm (minus the intro and interlude).

Hopefully a grower but it feels like the one forgettable track on the project for me.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:29 PM

12. imperfect for you

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:29 PM

'i wish i hated you' is another track that is defo coming straight from Ari's heart It's grown on me quite a bit over the week, I didn't appreciate the beauty of the song at all when I first heard it.

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:30 PM

we can't be friends is stunning, a great choice for second single and I hope it can get that #1 it deserves!

'i wish i hated you' is heartbreakingly beautiful, a huge highlight for me <3

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:30 PM

Currently obsessed with 'imperfect for you', it's so dreamy

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:31 PM

'imperfect for you' is criminally underrated! Loving the gentle production of this song as well, the chorus is really, really catchy as well! Probably in the top 3 of my favourite songs from the album!

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:31 PM

'imperfect for you' is lower-tier for this album but still really good.

It does sounds sonically different to anything else she's ever done that helps it stand out.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:32 PM

13. ordinary things (feat. Nonna)

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:33 PM

This is a lovely closer. It really feels like a conclusion and wraps the album up perfectly.

The only feature being 'Nonna' is hilarious too.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:34 PM

The verses of this one are really sticking with me lyrically / melodically now, Nonna is an icon too of course

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:34 PM

ordinary things is towards the bottom of my ranking but it's cute and works great as a closer!

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:35 PM

Nonna should feature on more songs tbh, she slayed A decent track to finish the album, agreed that it does feel like a fitting conclusion to the album.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:35 PM

14. supernatural (remix) (with Troye Sivan)

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:36 PM

I am liking the Troye remix of this even more than the original they can happily continue to work together after 'Dance To This' was also a gem

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:37 PM

Troye fits in really well but I still think I'll stick with the original.

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:37 PM

This version does uplift the song's quality for me, Troye fits the song's production really well. I long to see Troye and Ari collab more in the future

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:38 PM

15. imperfect for you (acoustic)

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:38 PM

Her vocals are to die for here / on the entire project tbh

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:39 PM

I do love this version as it does emphasis how Ari is the world's best vocalist (we're about to find out why Mariah Carey isn't lol). This song also works really well stripped back, I wonder if Ari will do a MTV Unplugged/acoustic concert or session one day, songs like this would sound good

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:39 PM

The instrumentation isn't that wild on the original so this ends up sounding pretty similar

Her voice is incredible though obviously so anything that helps highlight that is alright in my books.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:41 PM

16. true story (a capella)

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:42 PM

Ari is a really good vocal producer/harmoniser as you will probably know but this version feels kinda pointless apart from showing off that skill tbh

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:43 PM

This sounds faster than the original for some reason.

The vocals are still

It's giving me flashbacks to the 'Dangerous Woman' acapella video with the bunny mask.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:43 PM

My favourite element of 'true story' is the production so am probably not going to rush back to this in a hurry, but wonderful vocals as ever

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:44 PM

17. yes, and? (remix) (with Mariah Carey)

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:44 PM

Not the greatest ending ever oops

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:44 PM

I actually prefer imperfect to you acoustic to the original I think!

This yes and remix is still an absolute mess though I'm sorry

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:45 PM

Yeah this version is not it x. Lol at Fantano thinking this is the superior version (this is the guy who gave a Sexxy Red album a 8 tho, 'eternal sunshine' got a 6. Where has the taste gone )

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:46 PM

First time hearing this as I actually dipped out of listening on release after seeing the reaction. Fake fan I know

I've only really liked the more R&B songs from Mariah so I didn't have much excitement for this.

Listening now, it really doesn't suit Mariah at all. She's obviously one of the best vocals of all-time but it sounds like they've had to modify her vocals too much to fit on the track. Just sounds like a robot and doesn't mesh well with Ariana at all.

Posted by: Jade 13th March 2024, 08:48 PM

Thanks very much for arranging this, Lewis! has been fun to listen with you guys.

Posted by: LewisGT 13th March 2024, 08:48 PM

So that's the album

Thanks for joining and commenting along everyone

Posted by: Lunar 13th March 2024, 08:52 PM

Thanks Lewis!

Posted by: Y'all Starlight 13th March 2024, 08:55 PM

Thanks for organising this Lewis

Posted by: Brer 13th March 2024, 09:23 PM

I was feeling a bit sleepy during this listen so I'd take my first impressions with a pinch of salt but my immediate highlights (alongside 'yes, and?' which I'm still bopping to) were 'supernatural', 'eternal sunshine' and 'i wish i hated you', plus to a lesser extent (but can see all 3 being growers) 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)', 'true story' and 'ordinary things'. I think I liked the Troye version of 'supernatural' more than the original but I don't know how much of that is down to Troye's contribution as opposed to it just being a second listen of a song that's a likely grower The a cappella version of 'true story' worked surprisingly well too. Mariah's vocals on the 'yes, and?' remix are ok when she's singing on her own but the parts where they're singing together just sound distractingly poorly mixed to my ears, I can hardly even tell it's Mariah's voice, it just sounds like sonic mush - I'll stick with the original thanks x

The other 4 songs didn't do too much for me on first listen ('the boy is mine' I can see being a grower too but the album got off to a very slow start for me with the first 2 proper songs both being quite boring imo, and I'm not sure I can see myself getting into 'imperfect for you' either unfortunately, I am cursed again to having one of Jade's faves as one of my least faves, 'safety net' all over again ) - all of her albums have at least a couple of songs I don't really care for though so at least glad there are more songs I liked than not and I think a lot of the songs will grow on me more. Will listen to the album again at the weekend when I'll hopefully be more awake x