Short 'n' Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter's freshly dropped album, lives up to its name. It is a twelve-track, 36-minute, and 15-second album that explores heartbreak and lust with hilarious and relatable lyrics that reflect thoughts that may have flashed through our heads or words we may have uttered (or will one day utter). It is a pop album with rock, country, disco-pop, and R&B influences, though my favorite tracks are where Carpenter leans into the soulful, retro, and explicitly pop sounds.
Here are my track picks:
Track 1 - "Taste"
On a first listen, the song is an unapologetically sassy bop that taunts her ex's new love interest, echoing an all-too-familiar headspace of heartbreak and pettiness. It sets up Carpenter's signature endearing cheeky, amorous, and straightforward tone for the rest of the album, leaving you curious enough to keep listening.
I highly recommend watching the newly released music video, which co-stars Jenna Ortega. The campy, girly-glam visuals combined with the gory slasher action throughout is reminiscent of the 1992 comedy Death Becomes Her (starring Meryl Strep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis) injects an amusing tone to the song, enhancing the track for the better.
Track 2 - "Please Please Please"
This humorous and blunt track is influenced by soft rock from the 1980s. Carpenter isn't beseeching a lover or pleading with him. Instead, it is a crooning warning coming from a headspace of concern, frustration, and increasing regret about her choice of romantic partner. The unforgettable and personable lyrics, especially that of the chorus ("Don't bring me to tears when I just did my makeup so nice/Heartbreak is one thing/My ego's another/I beg you don't embarrass me/Motherfucker”), will never cease to make me chuckle.
Irish actor Barry Keoghan (from Emerald Fennell's Saltburn) co-starred in the music video as Carpenter's love interest and the embodiment of the bad boy fantasy depicted in dark romance novels. Keoghan also dated Carpenter during the video's making and release. Recent break-up rumors have ridden the internet, but neither Carpenter nor Keoghan have confirmed or denied anything, though a source has described their relationship as "on and off."
Track 6 - "Bed Chem"
It is a quick, sultry track filled with naughty puns ("Come right on me, I mean camaraderie" and "And I bet the thermostat's set at six-nine" are lyrical highlights) that is unashamed to admit sexual desire openly. The song references Barry Keoghan with giveaway lyrics such as "Who's the cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accent?" and "Who's the cute guy with the wide, blue eyes and the big bad mm?".
If those break-up rumors were accurate, this song would become another classic case of dramatic irony.
Track 7 - "Espresso"
This track is the shining star of this album. That sweet combination of the music and the lyrics is playful, carefree, and as radiant as the sun on a beach day, so much so that you can practically feel the rays kissing your skin and smell the saltwater. "Espresso" is fun and is, in my opinion, the song of the summer or at least one of many.
Though this song was released four months ago, I have yet to tire of it. Honestly, I don't think I ever will. It is a "happy place" song full of whimsical youth served with a knowing smirk. The light-hearted music video features Sabrina Carpenter as a glamorous and stylish troublemaker (an image, I'd like to add, that perfectly suits the singer and her songs) living her best life at the beach after stealing a lover's credit card, which complements the cheeky humor of the music.
"Espresso" will pop up on my 2024 Spotify Wrapped...And yours. Please don't say I didn't warn you.
Track 10 - "Juno"
Like "Bed Chem," this song is just as lustful but pays a nod to dreamy, hopeless romantics with overactive imaginations. It describes the feeling of being strongly attracted to someone so strongly that it triggers baby fever. I won't go further, but I will say this—listening to a woman be open about the NSFW things that marinate her mind (with instrumentals that give off coming-of-age film soundtrack vibes) is refreshing.
The track's title refers to the 2007 film Juno, which starred Elliot Page (credited at the time as Ellen Page, as this was before the actor came out as transgender), who portrayed the titular character, a pregnant teenager. At the same time, this also references Juno, the ancient Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth.
Oh, Sabrina. Leave it to her to quip witty double entendres.
Track 12 - "Don't Smile"
The album's final track brings everything together, returning us to the first song. Carpenter redirects her attention to her former lover instead of his new partner this time. She gives in to unadulterated sadness as she grapples with the fact that her ex might not feel remorse for breaking her heart and moving on. The song doesn't compete with the other tracks' sass, making it the perfect conclusion to the album. The soulful tune makes you want to listen to the song multiple times. It is simple and human, reminding listeners that heartbreak affects even the most free-spirited and confident.
Final Thoughts:
A part of me hopes that more music videos will come out in the coming weeks. The tracklist does have the perfect foundation for a visual album. Overall, Short 'n' Sweet is a fun album that gets better with each listen. It will no doubt be played everywhere for the rest of the summer.
Espresso is my go to dance song this summer
such an easygoing album