Sabrina Carpenter “Short n’ Sweet” Album Review
Pop culture’s resident “IT Girl” Sabrina Carpenter has released her highly anticipated album ‘Short n’ Sweet’.
Already having had two of the year's biggest radio hits with "Espresso" and "Please Please Please." ‘Short n’ Sweet’ quickly earned over 57 million first day streams on the global Spotify chart, marking Sabrina's biggest debut ever!
Though it seems she is just stepping into the big lights of stardom now, Carpenter has actually released five albums throughout the past decade; while signed to Disney’s Hollywood Records. She previously pursued music alongside her acting career but those albums rarely made an impact outside of the Disney universe. In 2021 she signed with Island Records to release her own work ‘Emails I Can’t Send’ and now her second official album ‘Short n’ Sweet.’ This album features 12 new tracks spanning 36 minutes by a singer who herself stands exactly five feet tall, it sure lives up to its name!
She produced her newest project with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as, five-time Grammy® Award-winning artist, songwriter, musician, and producer, Jack Antonoff, who is best known for his production on the last 8 Taylor Swift albums, including the re-recordings. Sabrina’s partnership with Antonoff led to her unexpected friendship with none other than Taylor herself earning Carpenter an opening spot on the coveted Eras Tour.
Since opening for Swift she has also appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, officially cementing her spot in pop music major leagues. Adding to it all, Sabrina will be embarking on a sold out world tour this fall!
From my full listen through of the project, she has a knack for writing pun lyrics and poetic comparisons about love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. I think my top 3 songs are ‘Taste’, ‘Juno’ and ‘Bed Chem.’ One thing I was surprised to learn while listening was this album doesn’t just explore the pop music space but also a mixed bag with a bit of country vibes as well! Mainly explored in the song ‘Slim Pickins.’
’Taste’ is a delectably vicious opening to the album as she sends a message to her ex’s new girl when she sings the lyrics, “You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissing you.”
’Bed Chem’ seems to talk about the lust Sabrina felt when she first met her boyfriend, actor, Barry Keoghan. Who earlier this summer starred in her music video for ‘Please Please Please.’ She sings “I was in a sheer dress the day that we met, we were both in a rush, we talked for a sec, your friend hit me up so we could connect and what are the odds? You send me a text.”
Juno’ as I listened I realized it was very much a reference to the young adult movie of the same name “Juno.” A very creative touch to add to an album if I do say so myself! It was very apparent to me when she sang “If you love me right, then who knows? I might let you make me Juno.”
Though ‘Espresso’ and ‘Please Please Please’ are two standout tracks, in my opinion I don’t see them as the best tunes in the album’s entirety. However, they do offer a glimpse into Carpenter's artistic growth and her great potential for continued future success. Overall, ‘Short n’ Sweet’ is a strong testament to Carpenter's ability to create catchy and memorable pop music. If you like fun and sass, this is the album for you!
-XOXO Rachel
Sabrina Carpenter on stage with Taylor Swift singing "White Horse"
