Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Mia (class of 2026) and features Ariana Grande’s 2024 album Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. Thanks, Mia!
Ariana Grande
Eternal Sunshine
Ariana Grande’s 7th studio album titled Eternal Sunshine was released in 2024. This album has a wide range of music with upbeat pop anthems as well as meaningful ballads. The inspiration behind this album came from the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind released in 2004. This film looks at two people who go to extreme lengths to forget each other after a rough breakup, and analyzes memories and love. These are themes Grande has experienced through her own relationships with the loss of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, and the divorce of her ex-husband Dalton Gomez. The movie features themes of love, breakups, healing, and growth much like the themes in Ariana Grande’s album.
The diversity of songs across the entire album reach a wide range of audiences, and is played frequently on the University of Richmond’s campus. And unlike her past albums, Grande uses less of her impressive vocal abilities such as her vocal range and runs. Instead, she focuses on the themes of the movie and her lyrics, allowing for a more vulnerable and emotional sound. Critics believe this is her most mature sounding album of her career and shows experimentation and vulnerability.
Parsons Music Library carries a copy of Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. The vinyl record allows for a more rich and deep sound of the R&B songs featured in this collection. Additionally, the sides follow more closely with the themes of the album with the A side focusing on more of the heartbreak and the B side allowing for healing. I personally recommend giving it a listen on vinyl at Parsons!