Former Disney Channel star Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet” on Aug. 23. This release followed the success of summer hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” which are the two singles of the album. She delivers an album that is diverse in themes and genres, with lyrics touching on lustful mistakes, passionate love, infidelity and even heartbreak. Her songs are not only catchy, but surprising as listeners are met with an experimental genre blend of R&B, pop and folk-country, giving it a nostalgic but timeless melody.
The album opens with “Taste,” featuring a zesty and soft melody complemented by a muddy guitar adding to the sex appeal. Despite focusing on infidelity, Carpenter’s lyrics match the instrumental tone. This album release comes alongside the release of a music video for “Taste” and co-stars actress Jenna Ortega.
In the same “lounge music, but elevated” sort of theme, the track “Bed Chem” is equally sexy and has a ’70s vibe reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac. The song rapidly gained popularity on social media because of Carpenter’s innuendos and quick remarks. In the second verse, she sings “Said you’re not in my timezone, but you wanna be / Where art thou? Why not uponeth me?” This specific fragment of the song has a TikTok audio with 33.2k uses only four days after the album’s release.
“Short n’ Sweet” showcases Carpenter’s vocal and lyrical talents, accommodating different styles.
“Lie To Girls” is more jazzy, different from the mainstream pop songs on the album. Lyrically, she shows her trademark relatable vulnerability without losing her charm. The song speaks to her cleverness while acknowledging women’s tendencies to turn a blind eye and lie to themselves to remain in a relationship that might not be best for them.
“Dumb & Poetic” feels like an intimate conversation with a friend. Carpenter rants about her taste in men and how self-sabotaging it can be. This song stands out as the tune matches her rage, slowly building up and showcasing her high notes until it collapses into a softer tone — perhaps mimicking the desperation of not getting enough from a partner and coming to terms with their departure.
The album’s final track, “Don’t Smile,” is fittingly about a breakup. Carpenter starts the song by singing, “Don’t smile because it happened baby / cry because it’s over,” presenting a fresh take on the familiar saying. The tune is also one of the slower ones, with a soft guitar and a relaxing tempo, making it a surprisingly soothing heartbreak song.
The album shines because its range allows Carpenter’s personality to shine through in each song. It’s a memoir and exposé of contemporary dating culture and it is full of sarcasm that’s raunchy enough to bring out a laugh without feeling vulgar. She is anything but sweet throughout the 12 tracks, yet handles herself with class and slickness. Although she is open and playful when describing her romantic experiences, Carpenter employs Gen Z’s seemingly preferred coping mechanism of making pain funny, which shows listeners that pop star or not, she’s just a girl.
As Carpenter says in her song “Good Graces” — where she praises herself for “turning lovin’ into hatred” — this album shows her versatility, offering something for everyone while leaving her exposed to those who might not enjoy the potpourri of genres. With “Short n’ Sweet,” Carpenter delivers a mix of Taylor Swift, Gen Z Dolly Parton and some notes of Ariana Grande, becoming both an image of those who came before her and a distinct icon of her own.
