By: Jane Wilde

Public Relations Manager

On Aug. 23, rising star Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album titled Short N’ Sweet. The record is the perfect blend of playful, upbeat melodies and witty remarks while also beautifully conveying heartbreak. Carpenter has been in the industry for nearly two decades, acting in films and shows like Girl Meets World and releasing multiple albums. However, it wasn’t until these last two years that she became a household name. After several listens of the album, it’s no question she deserves all of the praise. The public agrees as Carpenter’s first single and proclaimed “song of the summer” Espresso along with her second single “Please Please Please” in July ranked in the top three of the Billboard Hot 100. The popstar currently debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 global chart.

Taste, track number one of the highly-anticipated album, quickly rose to fame with the release of Carpenter’s music video featuring Jenna Ortega. Listeners rumor that the song is about her ex-boyfriend and world-famous pop singer Shawn Mendes, who is now back together with pop star Camila Cabello. The ninth track, Slim Pickins, highlights the narrow selection of desirable men in today’s society in an amusing manner. Her lighthearted wit is heavily captured in this song with comical lyrics like, “Jesus what’s a girl to do,/ this boy doesn’t even know/ the difference between their, there, and they are.” Many associate this track as her third single because she performed the song prior to the album’s release at the Grammy Museum alongside producer Jack Antonoff. The difference between the mastered studio track and the live one sparked discussion among Carpenters fans; many agree that the live version is superior. 

Fans argue Carpenter’s knack for producing catchy melodies is the primary reason for her latest successes. That and her uniqueness remind audiences of the iconic “pop princess” archetype of the early 2000s. My personal favorites, Sharpest Tool and Good Graces, perfectly reflect her catchy music style with criminally catchy melodies that are guaranteed to have you singing along. The background vocals in Good Graces and the bridge in Sharpest Tool are *chef’s kiss*. The two tracks are the ultimate example of Carpenter’s everlasting ability to make a banger out of a bad situation.

I appreciate the quick wit within Carpenter’s songwriting, but the lines start to blur between trying to sound smart and having actual deep meaning. For example, in her song Bed Chem, saying things like “Where art thou, why not upon me?” made me cringe a little. However, meaningful lyrics aren’t imperative to produce a good song, and this wittiness is simply her style of writing that separates her from the rest. From her impressive musical talents to the overall quality and length of the record, it’s no surprise when Carpenter says the album was a culmination of years of hard work.

(Sources: Billboard, Rolling Stone)