Sabrina Carpenter's latest album proves her reign is anything but 'Short n' Sweet'
Sabrina Carpenter catapulted into superstar territory with her summer smash "Espresso," the lead single off her sixth studio album "Short n' Sweet." Along with the second hit single "Please Please Please," her collection of flirty exchanges and witty storytelling has made her a staple in pop music. Her success goes beyond prior hits "Nonsense" and "Feather," in this impressive, unfiltered narrative, delivering 12 songs in 36 minutes.
While her lyricism has definitely adopted a more mature perspective, it's the candidness surrounding her relationship with Irish actor Barry Keoghan that's turning heads. In observing the chemistry between the two entertainers, it's easy to realize Keoghan's prevalence in her life and the album. Their connection caught wind once the news spread online, but Sabrina doesn't mind if the press or fans keep watching.
He's openly referred to in "Bed Chem," as Carpenter describes their first encounter and the fantasies behind closed doors. Carpenter inquires, "Who's the cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accent?" Her seductive voice continues into "Juno," as she explores intimacy with her partner and the process of starting a family.
While these tracks are some of the most explicit in her catalog, it's not the first time the artist has shocked her fans. Her "Nonsense" outros popularized quickly on social media with the same intentions. One of her spiciest comes from her performance at "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" from 2023 — the ending will surely catch you off guard.
She also confronts partners on infidelity and an inability to commit. In the music video for "Taste," Carpenter and rising actress Jenna Ortega battle it out for a man through numerous murder plots. Another subject in "Sharpest Tool" plays with her emotions as she notes, "How you guilt-tripped me to open up to you / Then you logged out, leavin' me dumbfounded."
The anecdotes with bad suitors culminate with "Slim Pickins," as Carpenter confesses her inability to find satisfaction in romantic partners.
But, listeners will find satisfaction in her entrance to the country genre, as she implements the style in sweet vocals. For instance, her cover of Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" highlights techniques and vibrato done by many country artists. On "Coincidence," she pulls from the genre, featuring bright guitars and folksy background vocals.
A major reason for this diverse production is Jack Antonoff, a prominent artist and producer in the pop world. Working with artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Del Rey, it makes sense why the audio quality achieves perfection on "Short n' Sweet." His collaboration with Carpenter is another example of her rising status in the music industry.
Tailored with better production quality, the project is a much stronger effort compared to previous releases. It dives deeper into experimentation and distances the artist from the child image she obtained early in her career. The improvements in songwriting are quite noticeable, but still similar to other works regarding content matter. Romanticism is the overarching theme here with tense desires.
When hitting play on the record, there's one thing listeners should keep in mind — be ready to hear some familiar tracks. Her hits have dominated social media and the radio, leaving some of the other songs on "Short n' Sweet" in the dust. But, hidden gems like "Juno" or "Coincidence" are a welcomed surprise and a reminder of the artist's consistency.
If "Short n' Sweet" is anything to go by, Sabrina Carpenter's popularity will endure for younger audiences. She joins fellow titans Charli XCX, Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish in an unforgettable year of music. As she gains traction, her appeal never fails to attract new tastes.
