Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album Short ‘n’ Sweet on August 23, 2024. The album has 12 tracks, each distinct from the others. Her album has a diverse range of genres, including pop, country, disco, and R&B. Carpenter put out a collection of pop songs that represent the ups and downs of young adulthood. The album demonstrates her growth, not only as a performer, but as a lyricist, combining catchy melodies with powerful lyrics that resonate with the listeners.
She released the seventh single from her album “Espresso” in April, and it was an instant success, debuting at number seven on the Billboard Charts before rising to number one a week later. Espresso is a cheerful upbeat pop song in which Carpenter sings about her “me espresso” and the impression it has on boys. She says that they can’t sleep because they’ve been thinking about her all night; ultimately, the song is about feeling great and not taking things too personally. The lyrics are creative and entertaining, and they catch you off guard.
Another highly popular track from her album is “Taste”, a pop-rock song. In the song “Taste” Carpenter discusses her ex’s on-again, off-again girlfriend. She goes further into her long-term influence on her ex during their brief relationship. Carpenter confesses in the chorus that the on-and-off pair has reunited, and she claims that her ex adopted new strategies from her. She then points out her long-term effect on him by singing, “He’s funny, now all his jokes hit different / Guess who he learned that from?” Following the release of her album, she released a music video for this song, which features actress Jenna Ortega. The music video was inspired by the 1992 black comedy Death Becomes Her. Ortega plays Carpenter’s ex’s new partner, and they fight until the ex is killed and they become friends. The video became quite successful among fans, immediately catching people’s attention.
“Sharpest Tool” is an underrated track from Carpenter’s album, in which she criticizes a former partner for messing with her head and communicating poorly throughout their relationship. In her song, she applies the euphemism ‘I know you’re not the sharpest tool in the shed’ to refer to her ex’s lack of intelligence. Carpenter then sings about how they began to act strange and hints that they had cheated on her with an ex, singing: “We never talk about how you / Found God at your ex’s house, always / Made sure the phone was face-down / Seems like overnight, I’m just the girl you hate now.” The lyrics of this song are exceptionally creative and relatable, portraying the ups and downs of a one-sided romantic relationship.
“Slim Pickins”, a country ballad, is another hit from her album that she co-wrote with Jack Antonoff, a renowned songwriter and music producer. Carpenter performed the song live at the Grammy Museum on August 2nd, before the album’s official release. ‘Slim Pickins’ is a lighthearted, heartbroken country-inspired tune in which Carpenter criticizes the absence of good men to date. The lyrics are humorous and enjoyable, with her singing: “This boy doesn’t even know the difference between “their,””there,” and “they’re” / Missing all the things he’s missing / God knows that he isn’t living large.” In the song she expresses her concern that finding the right guy is “slim pickings;” meaning she doesn’t have many options, so she wonders if she should just end up alone or with a guy she will never truly be in love with. The lighthearted melodies of this song compliment Carpenter’s playful but genuine lyrics that reflect her worries about her love life in the future.
Carpenter’s closing single “Don’t Smile” was the perfect way to conclude her album. This heartfelt ballad reflects the lasting effects of a breakup. The song’s sincere vocals convey deep emotions of grief and desire. The chorus reflects Carpenter’s difficulty to move on, as she wants her ex to feel the same hurt and remorse. She sings, “You’re supposed to think about me every time you hold her,” implying that her memory should haunt his new relationship. She also sings of vulnerability and an urge to reach out, while understanding it is unhealthy. “Don’t Smile” is a memorable and impactful concluding piece for Short n’ Sweet.
This album demonstrates Carpenter’s ability to convey the complex stages of a breakup. Its authenticity and sincerity will speak to everyone who has felt the heartache of a breakup and struggled to move on.
