Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Album Title: Short n’ Sweet
Genre: Pop, Rock and R&B
Release Date: Aug 23, 2024
Rating: A
While many remember Sabrina Carpenter for her iconic roles on Disney Channel, she is now recognized as a pop star since opening for Taylor Swift’s concerts. With her new-found fame, she has blown away her fans with her latest album Short n’ Sweet. The success of her singles “Expresso” and “Please Please Please,” catapulted this album to the top of the charts, capturing the love of both old and new fans alike. Giving her album a feisty and lighthearted attitude, she continues to appeal to various audiences as she tells stories about her experiences with love and self discovery. Short n’ Sweet has elevated Carpenter’s standing in the music industry, making her pop star status.
“Carpenter’s dive into the music industry was great. Not only does she have such a beautiful voice, but she is able to express herself perfectly through her lyrics. I’m really glad that she made the decision to stick with music, and she is truly one of the most special and talented artists we have nowadays,” junior Anastasia Sanders said.
Track 1: Taste
Rating: A+
The album kicks off with a sassy, confident warning with the song “Taste”. The first song is directed to her ex-lover’s current girlfriend, reminding her that she will always be his second best option. Carpenter makes it evident that she still influences all of his relationships and that he still carries a trace of her presence in everything he does. She reminds his new love, “You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissing you.” By taunting the woman who has replaced her, Carpenter directs her feelings of resentment and anger towards her rather than towards her ex-boyfriend. Carpenter lets him know that she is not suffering, as she laughs at his attempt to find new love.
Track 2: Please Please Please
Rating: B
One of Carpenter’s most popular tracks is also one of her most complex ones, as this song aims to explore multiple aspects of a relationship. In the beginning, she expresses her inner conflict, singing, “I know have good taste. It’s funny and it’s ironic that only I feel that way.” This suggests that while she may believe she chooses the right lovers for her, other people do not agree. This makes her doubt herself, as she wants to be with someone who will treat her with love and respect, but she cannot seem to find the perfect fit. The chorus amplifies the song’s central message, with Carpenter begging her partner not to, “prove her right” and to spare her some embarrassment, as she does not want to be humiliated in the public light. During the final verses, Carpenter playfully suggests that she longs for a love without any judgment, saying, “We could live so happily if no one knows that you’re with me.” While this song is a complete emotional rollercoaster, it voices her desire to have an understanding, stable and loyal relationship.
“Society’s focus on Carpenter’s new music is for good reason. Her vocal range is incredible, she is insanely gorgeous and her performance skills are mind blowing. It’s really refreshing to see someone like her come into the music world, I can’t wait to see what else she will make in the future,” sophomore Sofia Duarte said.
Track 11: Lie to Girls
Rating: A
While the album generally revolves around the feelings of heartbreak and love, this song in particular reveals the cycle of a toxic relationship. Whether the ex she is reminiscing about is Shawn Mendez or Barry Keoghan, it is certain that her lyrics are intended to expose the surface level charm of her ex-lover. Carpenter calls out his empty promises and his “best excuses,” claiming that they do not stand a chance against her, as she knows what he is really like. She explores the raw emotion of her lyrics with the use of an acoustic guitar and an almost melancholic melody. Throughout the chorus she sings, “You don’t have to lie to girls, if they like you, they’ll just lie to themselves.” With her vulnerability open for inspection, she sympathizes with girls who also may try to preserve their unhealthy relationships, even if it means they are hurting themselves. In this song, Carpenter paints her ex-lover as a manipulator and makes the presumption that any relationship he will have in the future will be built on lies, just like their love story.
“I’ve been watching Carpenter on Disney channel since I was a young, and it has been so inspiring to watch her grow up. With her new album coming out, I believe she’s definitely trying to be more of a role model to anyone who might want to pursue music in the future. She has made so much progress, and she is an excellent example of girl power to all women,” sophomore Carolina Sesin said.
Track 12: Don’t Smile
Rating: A+
In her new album Carpenter takes a new twist on the popular quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” As she explores her emotions after her breakup, she realizes that she does not care to move on, but instead she wants her ex-lover to come running back to her. She does not want him to smile, as she is longing for him to feel the pain of their separation as she does. Carpenter’s lyrics capture her bittersweet attitude towards the breakup, as she can not rid herself of her attachment to her ex-boyfriend. In the chorus she sings, “You’re supposed to think about me every time you hold her,” expressing her desire to have a special place in her ex’s heart, even if he is in a new relationship.
“I’ve been listening to Carpenter for a long time, and I would definitely say this is her best made album. All of the songs go together perfectly and it is really hard to skip a single track. She has gained so much popularity from this album and I’m really happy for her success. She has come such a long way and has now even become famous internationally,” sophomore Leslie Valle said.
Short n’ Sweet has captured the ups and downs of young love, with Carpenter blending the hardships of a serious relationship or a short-lived fling with a hint of playfulness and humor. Her relatable approach has resonated with audiences worldwide, leading to an international tour where she will have the chance to dazzle her fans with her live performance. Though Carpenter’s sudden rise as a pop artist has only just begun, this short but sweet album is destined to have a long-lasting impact on her career.
