On Friday, Sabrina Carpenter dropped her new album Short n’ Sweet. This album is beyond perfection and, in our opinion, everything that pop music needs right now. The 12 track album is finally here, following hit singles Espresso and Please Please Please.
Fans have been eagerly waiting for this album since Sabrina announced it back in June.
First Impressions
Short ‘n Sweet is not much different from what we’ve been promised with the leading singles. It is full of pop anthems reclaiming sexuality and self-confidence, as well as sending the message of knowing your self-worth. With that being said, slower songs are a primordial part of the album too. Sabrina tells us just because you know your self-worth, doesn’t mean you won’t get your heart broken. Sabrina’s new album is a masterclass in pop anthems, as well as a memorable record for the year.
Taste
The first track of the album is Taste. This song is irresistible and bound to be Sabrina’s third hit of the summer. Battling revenge and betrayal, Taste deals with heartbreak in a fun and upbeat way. The same day the album dropped, Sabrina released the music video for the single. Featuring Jenna Ortega and Rohan Campbell, the video pays homage to the 1992 film Death Becomes Her. The satirical horror alludes to other movies such as Ginger Snaps and The Addams Family.
Good Graces
“No one’s more amazing at turning loving into hatred.”
The specific lyric summarizes the song’s sentiment — Sabrina explains that her love should not be taken for granted. While it’s easy for her to fall for someone and treat them right, if they don’t reciprocate or they overstep the boundaries, Sabrina lets them know she won’t stay around. The running lyric of “I won’t give a fuck about you” throughout the song is a warning that she has a low tolerance for disrespect. With a snappy rhythm to match the message, Sabrina knows the rules of a memorable song.
Bed Chem
“Come right on me, I mean camaraderie.”
Bed Chem is a sexually charged hit about two new lovers building chemistry. This racy anthem off of Short n’ Sweet has since gone viral on TikTok, with fans loving the play on words and classic Sabrina puns. Talking to Paper, Sabrina said when she came up with the song title that she wanted to write something ‘sexy and a little unserious’ – and she did just that. It’s certainly one of the more lighthearted songs off the album, but what’s not to love?
Dumb & Poetic
“Just ‘cause you talk like one doesn’t make you a man.”
While Sabrina excels at catchy pop anthems, she is just as talented at producing ballads. The song is short, but leaves a remarkable impression. In her words, Sabrina calls out a man for pretending to be a person he is not. While from the outside he appears put together and in tune with other’s emotions, Sabrina exposes him for the way he’s hurt her. Hiding behind the high intelligence he projects, is someone who doesn’t have much of an intellect. The power of the ballad lies not only in the lyrics, as Sabrina’s vocals showcase her heartache and anger.
Slim Pickins
“Since the good ones call their exes wasted, and since the Lord forgot my gay awakening.”
Sabrina premiered Slim Pickins in a live performance with Jack Antonoff, which went viral on Tik Tok and left everyone waiting for the studio recording. The production starts with strings that immediately set the genre outside of pop and entering the country music genre. Sabrina has played with the genre in her past records, with songs such as Already Over having country influences. When it comes to the lyrics, Slim Pickins talks about the struggle of finding a good man. Sabrina details all the ways in which men have disappointed her, with the irony of “good ones” being cheaters, and how she has to settle for men who don’t meet her standards just to receive affection. The most iconic line has to be “since the Lord forgot my gay awakening”, telling how Sabrina would prefer dating women if only she were attracted to them.
Lie to Girls
“You don’t have to lie to girls, if they like you they’ll just lie to themselves.”
This one instantly caught my attention. The concept, like a lot of Sabrina’s songwriting, is very smart. Her soft voice guides us on this explanation that girls are willing to compromise on the reality of someone for the idea of them. Therefore, there’s no need for the other person to lie, because we will convince ourselves that the person we’re interested in is good for us even if they aren’t. The record reaches the peak during the outro, as Sabrina’s hauntingly heartbreaking vocals guide us through. There is a common understanding between girls that we’d rather deny the reality of someone in exchange for the idea of them. She sets the example with women around her, showcasing the internal conflict women go through. However, there’s more than that. Between the lyrics, there is a resilience that comes with the struggle. Sabrina tells us that in the end, we will set aside the truth for a chance at happiness.
If you want to read more about music releases, keep your eyes peeled for the first week of each month! Here’s last month’s article if you missed it:
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