It seems like the present pop landscape has found another pop princess in Sabrina Carpenter. On Aug. 23, her new studio record Short n’ Sweet was released by Island Records to much fanfare. The album mixes pop and country with influences from disco alongside smooth synths blending these genres effortlessly.
Carpenter has steadily emerged into the public over the last three years slowly building her momentum. In the fall of 2022, the singer released her fifth studio album, emails i can't send, which signified her exit from Disney's Hollywood Records, and gave her greater creative freedom. Her song "Nonsense" which went viral on TikTok was a fun pop track full of innuendos. Following its success, she released "Feather," a playful song about finding independence and relief after a breakup.
Prior to the release of Short n' Sweet, Carpenter was busy opening for Taylor Swift's billion-dollar grossing “The Eras Tour” and dealing with controversy on her ”Feather” music video. It's safe to assume she's been on everyone's mind for quite a while now.
A shot of Espresso
On April 12, Carpenter performed at Coachella where she performed a new song. It seems like the popstar and her team weren’t expecting too much for the new song “Espresso,” a catchy pop song that compares her passionate desire and energy with her loving relationship. Its fast tempo and humorous lyrics portray feelings of exhilaration and desire.
The metaphor of “Espresso” is used to describe how her man keeps her up at night, both physically and symbolically. The cheerful and upbeat music reflects the excitement of new love so deeply and compellingly that she finds it impossible to sleep or think about anything else. It quickly climbed up to the top of the global Spotify charts and became her first top 10 entry in the Billboard Top 100.
Following the commercial success of “Espresso,” Carpenter announced her upcoming album alongside the second single which was “Please Please Please.” The song was notably produced by Jack Antonoff who has worked with the likes of Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. Unlike the previous single, the song leans on its jazz and country influences which was perceived as her way of hopping on the country music trend which has recently been topping the Billboard charts.
“Please Please Please” is a heartfelt ballad that expresses feelings of loneliness, frustration, and uncertainty about the future of a relationship. She pleads for understanding and patience, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust in overcoming the obstacles of distance. The song's compassion and relatability make it a moving look at the difficulties that many couples encounter. Through this single, Carpenter successfully topped the Billboard chart for the first time.
Meanwhile, “Taste” is Short n' Sweet’s third single and album opener. The song, which covers the issue of coping with a past partner dating someone new, combines pop and country elements. Alluding to rumors of a love triangle, it is intended at the woman rather than the man. It is communicated how she left an imprint on the relationship and that any sentiments stored cannot be removed.
Next we have “Bed Chem,” which describes a passionate and emotional meeting with someone. The song's topics include physical attraction, as communicated through the descriptions of the other person's looks, and the unmistakable sexual chemistry between them. Desire and imagination are major topics, as the vocalist wants to spend more time with this person and participate in physical intimacy. Its overall tone is sexual and seductive, highlighting the singer's strong desire and passion.
Presented with an equal amount of passion, “Juno” is packaged as a lighthearted and seductive take on a growing romance and a longing for connection. She expresses curiosity about a potential love interest, showing that she is developing feelings other than infatuation. The provocative lyrics address the singer's yearning for connection and exploration. It is speculated that it most likely refers to the 2017 coming-of-age film “Juno,” which tackles issues of adolescence and youthful love reflecting the thrill and uncertainty of a new romance.
Then we have “Sharpest Tool,” a deep-cut song that delves into issues of unresolved sentiments and uncertainty following a casual meeting. It shows irritation with the lack of communication and closure since the other person appears to have forgotten or avoided the connection. The pre-chorus highlights the singer's uncertainty about the meeting's significance, while the chorus underscores their hesitation to address the issue. The emphasis on how avoiding the topic would only intensify the problem is felt as the track hits the bridge. It displays tension and assertiveness showing that one should stand up for themselves in the middle of a conflict.
Similarly doubtful, “Slim Pickins” mockingly laments the difficulties of finding a suitable man. The lyrics emphasize irritation and disillusionment with the dating scene, emphasizing the scarcity of decent possibilities. Carpenter refers to the available dating possibilities as those who lack fundamental knowledge or traits, expressing discontent with the poor quality selections. Despite its comedic tone, the song explores issues of loneliness and desire for a satisfying relationship.
Self-worth sprinkled with sass
“Lie To Girls” condemns guys who lie and exploit women. The lyrics illustrate how some guys lie and deceive women to sustain relationships or fulfill their selfish ambitions. It depicts how men frequently influence women through deceit, lying to them in order to escape punishment or continue relationships. The song implies that cultural expectations and gender norms contribute to the power imbalance between men and women, allowing the former to engage in manipulative conduct.
On the other hand, “Good Graces” is a confident dance-pop song about her self-worth. Carpenter continues to highlight that she is worthy of respect, underlines that she won't tolerate disrespect, and warns her man not to take her kindness for granted. She isn't scared to leave the relationship if he doesn't treat her properly. The song conveys a profound message about how important it is to maintain one's dignity and set boundaries in a relationship.
Supplementary recommendations:
"Coincidence" - A country record about betrayal and mistrust. In this song, Carpenter believes her partner is cheating and is trying to hide it. She questions if the "coincidences" are real or if her partner is being manipulative.
"Dumb & Poetic" - Another deep-cut ballad from the album, it is a scathing critique of a hypocritical person. She paints a picture of someone who pretends to be deep but is actually manipulative and emotionally immature.
"Don't Smile" - The closing track which is a heartfelt song about heartbreak and unresolved feelings. Carpenter expresses anger and sadness over the breakup, hoping her ex-partner will regret their actions.
“Short n’ Sweet” is nothing short of catchy tunes and reflections on expressing passion, romance, and realizing one’s self-worth. The project is both cheeky and assertive, taking no one’s nonsense and being entitled to receive both love and respect. The album gives listeners a good image of who Carpenter is in a fashion that catches you off guard.
As she continues to rise in popularity, Carpenter is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with. Is she on the run to become the industry’s new pop princess? Guess the world will have to wait and see.
Working late? Have a shot of some good espresso and stream “Short n’ Sweet” wherever you go on various streaming platforms.
