From a Disney actress to a raunchy pop star, Sabrina Carpenter has been in the spotlight for some time. The spotlight is highlighting her again with the release of “Man’s Best Friend.”
I have followed Sabrina Carpenter since her days on Disney Channel, when she starred in the series “Girl Meets World.” Since then, she has entered the realm of pop music, augmenting her fame with her breakthrough album, “Short and Sweet.” Carpenter has added to her discography once more with a catchy pop album which focuses on failed relationships, incompetent men and her favorite gimmick, sex.
The album opens with her hit lead single, “Manchild,” in which Carpenter criticizes a man she sees as useless and dense. The song has a catchy synth beat paired with lyrics that don’t take themselves too seriously. It is fun and straightforward, perfect for radio or casual listening.
Manchild transitions into “Tears,” an upbeat track in which Carpenter expresses her desire to be treated well by her partner through provocative lyrics and seductive tone. Sonically, the song is reminiscent of classic disco, incorporating a jazzy intro and groovy percussion.
As the album progresses, listeners are treated with two more upbeat songs, “My Man on Willpower” and “Sugar Talking.” Both songs illustrate Carpenter’s craving for her partner to make sexual advances. The songs have similar themes, with “My Man on Willpower” being more pop-oriented while “Sugar Talking” leans into a sultry vibe.
Carpenter slows it down a bit with her next track, “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night.” The song starts slowly with some simple guitar strumming. It picks up toward the chorus, but the track remains honest and emotional in its lyrics about an on-and-off relationship.
Upon my first few listens to the album, the next two songs seemed to get lost in the mix. “Nobody’s Son” discusses Carpenter’s frustration with another failed relationship. “Never Getting Laid” also focuses on a failed relationship, as Carpenter wishes her ex “a forever of never getting laid.” Both songs are simple pop, failing to stand out within the album.
After “Never Getting Laid,” the sensual vibe of the record intensifies with “When Did You Get Hot?” which explores Carpenter’s surprise upon seeing an old acquaintance who has grown quite attractive. The vocals stood out to me as Carpenter hit some impressive high notes on this suggestive track.
Perhaps my favorite song on the album, “Go Go Juice,” is the next track. The clever lyrics joke about getting drunk for the sole purpose of contacting an ex. It’s another catchy synth beat, great for dancing on a night out. My favorite part of the song is the slowed outro, where Carpenter’s lyrics imitate drunk texts. The humorous lyrics and upbeat vibe make the song fun and playful.
As the album is wrapping up, Carpenter admits to her toxic tendencies in the ballad “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry.” The layered vocals are a nice touch, but ultimately, I find the beat underwhelming and the lyrics mediocre.
“House Tour” might be the most explicit song on the album, despite not having a single cuss word. The song is a metaphor for sexual activity, full of innuendos. Sonically, the bass and keyboard capture a disco vibe, similar to most of the album.
The album concludes with “Goodbye,” a lighthearted breakup anthem. Confidently, Carpenter says goodbye to her previous relationship in multiple languages, with an array of instruments to formulate an upbeat tune.
The Goods
- Catchy sound
- Solid album flow
- Concise 12 songs
The Bads
- Lazy lyrics
- Lack of variety in production
- Lack of emotional depth
