Pop’s new ‘it girl’ Sabrina Carpenter has officially released her latest album, “Short n’ Sweet.” Debuting on Aug. 23, this album was the final splash mainstream pop needed as summer came to an end. After releasing her hit single, “Espresso,” Carpenter has climbed her way to the A-list. A new album was what new fans were craving and old fans were longing for.
“Short n’ Sweet” opens with “Taste,” an assertive beginning to her 12-song album. We first hear Carpenter’s voice, boasting the confident yet comical words “Oh, I leave quite an impression / Five feet to be exact.” The bass and a light drum backing her soft vocals, adding an edgier, pop-rock sound to her hit.
This song sets the tone for the album, alluding to themes of a love triangle, yet keeping the music and vocals playful. The chorus is catchy and fun, even if listeners disagree with its bitter premise, “I heard you’re back together and if that’s true / You’ll just have to taste me, while he’s kissin’ you.” “Short n’ Sweet” follows this, as it deals with serious themes in unserious ways, which Carpenter’s fans value.
After “Taste,” we dive into “Please, Please, Please,” her synth-heavy, country-like summer hit about begging a partner not to embarrass her while they are in the public eye. Fans of her album opener are sure to like this one, “Coincidence” and “Espresso” as they remain cheerful, witty and catchy.
“Good Graces,” follows the new pop sound, but falls victim to repetitiveness, as she sings the phrase, “I won’t give a f—k about you,” fourteen times, which makes the song stale after a while.
In “Sharpest Tool,” the album slows with a lower tone and sadder verses. Although the song alludes to themes of heartbreak, it does not run deep. It remains simple with straightforward lyrics “All the silence is just your strategy / Cause it leaves you so top-of-mind for me.” Fans of this song are sure to enjoy “Dumb & Poetic,” and “…Lie to Girls.”
In “Bed Chem” and “Juno,” listeners get feel-good, upbeat love songs. Both songs capture her unapologetic sexuality as well as the feeling of new love perfectly.
Two songs on the album that stand out are “Slim Pickins,” and “Don’t Smile.” “Slim Pickins,” has a Dolly Parton-like sound, with her whistly notes, soft twang and folky music accompanying her. “Don’t Smile” stands out as a melancholic end to the album, different from the album’s other ballads. It leaves listeners with a reminiscent feeling, as she hums the chorus, “Don’t smile because it happened, baby / Cry because it’s over.”
Carpenter’s album and style are a breath of fresh air in pop. It seems as if deep lyricism is at the forefront for many pop artists. While that is valued in talented singer-songwriters such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Conan Gray, Sabrina presents pop with the opposite, which should be just as appreciated.
