Our favorite “pocket-sized pop star” Sabrina Carpenter has another success on her hands. Carpenter started off her career in the show business as a child actor, popular on shows like “Girl Meets World” and “Phineas and Ferb.” In 2014, she released her first single under Disney, titled “Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying.” Since then she has been in countless movies and has released six albums. Her previous album “Short N’ Sweet” was an instant hit, topping music charts for weeks. Carpenter released her seventh studio album on August 29, with her record label, Island Records. The new album has 12 songs where she explores her past relationships and new ones to come.
“Tears” is a masterful display of her honed skill, outlining her new boyfriend’s many thoughtful actions. This song showcases how she has never been with a guy who does the basics, and she’s overwhelmed that her new one does. This song wasn’t one of my favorites, as when I first listened to the song, the chorus didn’t sit well with me as it was extremely risque, almost farther than she had gone before. (3/5)
“We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” showcases Carpenter’s emotions in a sultry way. She explores whether she actually wants to be with her boyfriend (Barry Keoghan) or if she would be better off alone. Carpenter and Keoghan spent most of their relationship together on pauses, and this song represents them perfectly. This song was one of my favorites as it’s extremely catchy, and is a great go-to song for break-ups. (4/5)
“Go-Go Juice” gives us Carpenter’s lyricism at its best. The lyrics in the song are so perfectly placed, and it has hilarious comedic timing. With the lyrics, “Could be John or Larry, gosh, who’s to say? / Or the one that rhymes with ‘villain’ if I’m feelin’ that way,” she cleverly uses the names John for Shawn Mendez, Larry for Barry Keoghan, Villain for Dylan O’Brian, and some fans speculate the gosh could be Joshua Bassett. Along with the final ditty of “Do you me still love,” her slurred delivery, as if she’s drunk, adds authenticity and humor, making this one of the best songs on the album. (5/5)
“Goodbye” is the final song of the album where she has to explain to her ex that since he broke up with her, he can’t come crawling back to her, and can’t be mad that they aren’t together because it’s his fault. This was such a special song in the album, and I’m glad she added it in last. It’s the perfect ending to such an influential album, where she uses her charming voice to get the point across. (4.5/5)
It’s common for artists to receive outrage through their album art, using provocative imagery to stir discussion and generate interest long before their music is ever heard. However, this strategy can backfire, as Carpenter discovered with the artwork for this album. The cover showed Carpenter portrayed as a dog, with a man tugging on her hair. Many people believed the photoshoot was promoting domestic violence, but the real reason that Carpenter is in that position is because that’s how the public views her, like women are “possessions,” and in the album she is taking her power back.
Overall, this is my favorite album by Sabrina Carpenter. As she’s getting older and wiser, she’s made more and more songs that bring her to the top of the pop world as we know it, and she also finds a way to have a lot of fun while doing it. She has developed her voice so much over the years, and it feels like she has finally found herself. I’m excited to see what the rest of her years as a singer will bring to us, and am eager for what her future holds. (4.5/5)
