On Friday, August 23, singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter closed off the summer with the release of her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet (Island Records). Carpenter embraces a fun and flirty vibe in the new album, with cheeky lyrics pairing perfectly with her sugary sweet voice throughout all 12 tracks. Short n’ Sweet is a pop album at its core, with influences of early 2000s R&B and even a slight country twang.
Carpenter officially began her musical career in April 2015 with her debut album Eyes Wide Open. Since then she has captivated listeners with her ability to create music in a variety of genres, including R&B, folk-pop, and house, but she seems to have found her calling in early 2000s-style pop.
Since her debut in 2015, Carpenter has continued releasing pop music, including notable hits such as “Feather” and “Nonsense.” She featured both on her 2022 release and 2023 extended version of the album emails i can’t send, and they spent a combined total of 56 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. She has packed her latest album, co-written and produced by Jack Antonoff, with her signature sassy lyrics and strong beats that all fans can appreciate.
Short n’ Sweet kicks off with the catchy and upbeat hit “Taste,” in which Carpenter finds herself in a love triangle speculated to involve fellow pop artists Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. The song’s light, airy, and danceable tone covers up deeper lyrics about feelings of betrayal, acting as the perfect opener for Short n’ Sweet. “I heard you’re back together and if that’s true / You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you,” Carpenter sings, warning her ex’s new girlfriend. The breezy vibe of the song juxtaposes the hilarious yet gruesome horror movie-inspired music video featuring actress Jenna Ortega.
Track two and second single “Please Please Please,” originally released June 6, reflects Carpenter’s sassy and lighthearted nature in its artfully crafted lyrics. Unfortunately, Antonoff’s signature style of upbeat, repetitive songs missed its usual mark with “Please Please Please.” Luckily, track seven, initially released as a single “Espresso” is the definition of refreshing summer pop, featuring retro, upbeat instrumentals and synths. The lyrics are carefree, witty, and catchy like other songs on the album. “My give a f*cks are on vacation,” Carpenter sings in the first verse of “Espresso.”
In contrast to Carpenter’s typical pop songs, she ventures in a different direction with the song “Slim Pickins.” “Slim Pickins” features a country-style background complimented by Carpenter’s equally soft and impressive vocals. This country style allowed her to reveal a side of her talent that she had not showcased in her previously popular songs. Carpenter touches on the reality of settling for the sake of being in a relationship with the lyrics, singing, “If I can’t have the one I love / I guess it’s you that I’ll be kissin’ / Just to get my fixings.”
Although Carpenter’s ability to switch between genres and musical techniques worked in the past, it fell flat with the fifth track, “Coincidence.” A prominent guitar beat continues repetitively throughout the entire two-and-a-half-minute song, leading to a song that felt dependent on the background music. In Carpenter’s other songs, the musical background simply serves as a compliment to her vocal and lyrical talent. However, on this track, the instrument sounded overpowering and out of place.
The newest addition to Sabrina Carpenter’s extensive discography showcases her ability to create upbeat and memorable songs while staying true to her playful self. Although some lyrics feel repetitive, Carpenter continues to please listeners with humorous and flirty lyrics. Short n’ Sweet maintains her typical upbeat and pop style, while venturing into R&B and country, earning four and a half out of five feathers.
