*Short N Sweet via sabrinacarpenter.com
Sabrina Carpenter has taken the world by storm. After making music for over a decade, the talented singer has finally received the recognition she deserves. She began creeping her way into the general public’s eye last year when her songs “Nonsense” and “Feather” from her last album, emails i can’t send, gained attention on social media. However, Carpenter completely blew up when she released her latest album’s lead single, “Espresso.” Suddenly, everyone was watching the artist’s every move, and Short n’ Sweet became one of pop music’s most anticipated albums of 2024. Through twelve infectious songs, Carpenter takes her listeners on a journey of love, heartache, and life.
Track List
Taste
Please Please Please
Good Graces
Sharpest Tool
Coincidence
Bed Chem
Espresso
Dumb & Poetic
Slim Pickins
Juno
Lie To Girls
Don’t Smile
Taste
Carpenter kicks off Short n’ Sweet with the most infectious song on the album. Since hearing it for the first time, I cannot stop replaying it in my mind. The upbeat melody paired with the artist’s phenomenal vocals makes for an unforgettable anthem to wrap up the summer of pop music. In “Taste,” Carpenter sings to her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, or rather his ex-girlfriend who he got back with. She is telling the subject that despite their rekindled love, she is still lingering on him. So when she kisses him, she will be tasting the singer, too. Throughout the song, she uses clever metaphors and cheeky lyrics in the classic Sabrina Carpenter fashion, making it feel nostalgic and fresh at the same time. Alongside the album’s release, Carpenter premiered the music video co-starring the incredible actress, Jenna Ortega. The two are seen fighting over the same man, murdering each other in gruesome scenes that are akin to my favorite horror movies – including films that Ortega is known for. The collaboration between these two talented actresses, directed by Dave Meyers, quickly became my favorite visual art form of the year.
Please Please Please
If you are active on social media, there is no way you haven’t heard “Please Please Please” or seen at least snippets of the music video. Short n’ Sweet’s second single is a little more subtle than the lead single while still upholding Carpenter’s characteristic infectious soundscape. The song shares the story of falling for someone but being terrified that they will embarrass you. While Carpenter is smitten by her partner, she pleads with them to behave appropriately in public and not damage her reputation through idiotic mistakes. The lyrics are very tongue-in-cheek and the music video turns this energy up to 11. The iconic line, “Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another// I beg you, don’t embarrass me, motherfucker,” instantly went viral as people related it to their own relationships, showcasing Carpenter’s relatability and natural humor.
Good Graces
The cheeky humor continues in “Good Graces.” The song begins with a mesmerizing acoustic guitar, synth sounds, and stunning vocalizations that lull the listener in before breaking into the R&B-influenced pop production. The instrumentation and vocal harmonies are reminiscent of Ariana Grande, one of Carpenter's influences. Continuing with the theme of self-respect and knowing what she wants, Carpenter tells her partner that she switches sides quickly. She is “sweet like an angel” when she loves them, dreaming of marriage and kids. But the moment they trespass against her, she leaves “‘Cause no one’s more amazin’ as turnin’ lovin’ into hatred.” She tells them they should be smart and stay in her good graces or she will not hesitate to leave. In the post-chorus, Carpenter sings the infectious hook on repeat: “I won’t give a fuck about you,” which is subtly heard in the song’s intro. The rest of the lyrics are filled with her entertaining dry humor that fans have loved for years. “Good Graces” was an instant favorite of mine due to the comedic undertones and unique production.
Sharpest Tool
“Sharpest Tool” is one of the most interesting lyrical pieces on the album. In the pre-chorus, each line starts with the word that the last line ended with. She sings: "We were goin’ right, then you took a left// Left me with a lot of shit to second-guess// Guess I’ll waste another year on wonderin’ if// If that was casual, then I’m an idiot// I’m looking for an answer in between the lines// Lyin’ to yourself if you think we’re fine.” This clever lyricism stood out to me the first time I heard the song. I naturally gravitated towards it as one of my top favorites because it highlights Carpenter’s creative songwriting on top of her phenomenal vocals. Furthermore, it represents the story behind the song. She knows her partner is “not the sharpest tool in the shed” and is tired of being upset, while he is oblivious to everything going on around him. And if he listens to this song, there is no way he would ever notice this unique lyric structure.
Coincidence
“Coincidence” has one of the most upbeat, infectious soundscapes of Short n’ Sweet. The carefree instrumentation contains a very classic atmosphere with “na-na-na-na” vocalizations that are reminiscent of Harry Styles’s “Golden.” while maintaining the individualistic sound of Carpenter’s current style. Continuing with the sarcastic tone of the previous tracks, the singer tells her partner that it is such a “coincidence” that the girl he tells her not to worry about keeps coming around. She knows he is going behind her back, lying and cheating. And when a girl asks if you are being dishonest, they already know. They just want to see if you will admit it. Carpenter brilliantly expresses this phenomenon in “Coincidence,” revealing to her partner that they are not as slick as they thought they were.
Bed Chem
After several sarcastic songs that describe love as heartbreak and disappointment, Carpenter flips the script. “Bed Chem” explores the excitement of a new relationship and the many alluring new things they can do together. Carpenter is not shy when it comes to expressing her human nature in her songs and effortlessly illustrates what her partner makes her feel. The song matches this sultry attitude with a sweet R&B vibe and stunning vocals that showcase her phenomenal range. She indulges in the side of herself that society often tells women to hide and be ashamed of, making “Bed Chem” one of her most outstanding tracks.
Espresso
Carpenter changed the trajectory of pop music when she released “Espresso.” It had been a long while since a hit pop song was truly upbeat and happy. But the song blew up seemingly overnight, propelling Carpenter from a pop princess to the savior of pop music. Everyone knows the song, whether or not they listen to the genre. In fact, I sang the song at karaoke in July and a middle-aged man with his wife thanked me for singing a song that was current and relevant. All generations and genders are able to appreciate the absolute impact that “Espresso” has had on pop culture. With the iconic line, “I’m working late ‘cause I’m a singer” and the beat you cannot help but dance along to, “Espresso” was destined to be the song of the summer, if not the entire year.
Dumb & Poetic
Just like that, the album is back to songs about men being terrible to women. As a proud member of The Tortured Poets Department, “Dumb & Poetic” was the track I was most intrigued about. The tragic song shares how she was manipulated by her former boyfriend to believe he was deep and mysterious, but he was just “dumb and poetic.” He wanted to seem like he was sophisticated and wise. Instead, he used Carpenter and took advantage of her love, as he “crashed the car and abandoned the wreckage.” He left her to pick up the pieces of her broken heart like it was nothing at all. In the chorus, she tells him: “Don't think you understand// Just 'cause you act like one doesn't make you a man.” Then in the final chorus, she switches to the cutthroat line: “Don't think you understand// Just 'cause you leave like one doesn't make you a man.” She holds nothing back, calling him out for his terrible treatment and tearing down his ego as he deserves.
Slim Pickins
In “Slim Pickins,” Carpenter continued the theme and said, “Men suck, but let’s make it yeehaw.” The song contains a classic country-folk soundscape that instantly transports the listener to Georgia. Throughout the track, a slight twang can be heard slipping out, similar to when she sings “motherfucker” in “Please Please Please.” While pop music is where Carpenter truly belongs, it was fun to hear this other genre come out to play. She proves that she has the talent and versatility to nail any style of music. The song is about how all the good men are either “deceased or taken” and she is going to have to settle or end up alone. It’s “slim pickings” out there and she is unsure where else to turn. With the cheeky lyrics and the cheerful instrumentation, “Slim Pickins” is one of the most fun songs on the album.
Juno
“Juno” is a hilarious song with humorous lyrics that showcase the singer’s unserious nature. The track is a reference to the 2007 classic film about teenage pregnancy, Juno. Carpenter is telling her boyfriend that she is so in love with him that she would be willing to have his babies immediately. In the chorus, she sings: “I might let you make me Juno// You know, I just might let you lock me down tonight// One of me is cute, but two though?// Give it to me, baby.” She is so head over heels with him that she would love to start a family with him. The last line is even a double meaning, referring to her partner by the pet name "baby" and also telling them to give her a baby. The lyrics are fun and lighthearted, matched with the electrifying pop production. It is no wonder it has become a fan favorite.
Lie To Girls
The album takes a turn back to the melancholic, poignant ballads that pull on the heartstrings. Throughout the song, Carpenter tells the subject that he does not “have to lie to girls” because if they like him enough, they will just lie to themselves to justify his poor actions. It is a gut-wrenching notion as this is something many of us have done – including myself. Carpenter admits something that so many girls refuse to confess, making it a brave yet relatable song. In the second verse, she sings: “It’s lucky for you I’m just like my mother// And my sisters// All my friends.” This connects the song to the title track on her previous album, emails i can't send. The 2022 track shares the story of her dad destroying their family by cheating on her mother. One of the lines that has always stood out to me was: “Don’t think I’ll find forgiveness as fast as mom did.” This is a stark contradiction to what she is saying now in “Lie To Girls,” revealing that she is just the same – lying to herself to preserve the relationship. It is a heartbreaking truth, making this track the most devastating song on the album.
Don’t Smile
“Don’t Smile” has a whimsical, dreamy atmosphere that effortlessly whisks the listener away to another world. The effervescent soundscape lulls the audience, closing out the album in an unforgettable way. Even the lyrics are the perfect send-off. The final track takes a common quote and twists it to fit her narrative. Rather than saying, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” Carpenter tells her muse: “Don’t smile because it happened, baby, cry because it’s over.” She is telling her ex-boyfriend to mourn the loss of her, wishing for their sadness and hoping they struggle to move on just like her. However, these lyrics could also be directed toward the audience. Now that the album is over, cry because you cannot experience the feeling of listening to Short n’ Sweet for the first time ever again. Whether this was intentional by Carpenter or not (and I’m betting it was, as she is very clever and meticulous) this was the perfect conclusion to a flawless album.
Short n‘ Sweet has zero skips, making it one of the best albums of the year. Carpenter is the perfect balance of songwriting and vocals, earning her title as pop music's current queen. She is a force to be reckoned with, creating unforgettable music videos and choosing the right singles. From the catchy soundscapes of “Taste” and “Juno,” to the heartbreaking lyrics of “Lie to Girls” and “Dumb & Poetic,” Carpenter has once again crafted a well-rounded project that will stand the test of time. She has learned the formula of what it takes to be Hollywood’s “It Girl” and will continue to astonish her listeners and the industry with each new release. Follow her on social media to keep up with all new releases and announcements!
Written By Karlee Skipper
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
Commentaires