By Christa Bashinski · Entertainment Editor
Sabrina Carpenter just released her newest album “Man’s Best Friend,” and it’s proving divisive among fans. The X-rated lyrics are a long way away from the innocent character she played on Disney’s “Girl Meets World.” The singer is largely known for her previous album “Short n’ Sweet,” which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and featured three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She clearly has established herself as a capable artist, but her new tracks have fans second guessing the direction she’s going in.
The album debuted on Aug. 29 and has already shattered records with 64.4 million streams on Spotify in the first week alone. Widely anticipated, its controversial cover art and messages have likely only fueled its marketing. The album stays true to pop stereotypes, as it maintains high-energy and catchy phrases throughout. Lead singles “Tears” and “Manchild” stand out with upbeat, happy-go-lucky beats that are memorable and easy to hum along to. However, by the middle of the album, the songs begin to feel a bit repetitive, as the sounds blend with Carpenter doing nothing to substantially differentiate between each. If you’re listening for pop that will keep you in a good mood without care for the lyrics, this one might just be for you.
Her lyrics boast a theme of female autonomy, relationship complications and self-discovery, albeit through sometimes shallow and often sexually explicit words. Her provocative language reinforces her intent to challenge societal norms and normalize conversations around desire and control. Carpenter continued her record of implementing her sass and humor in her lyrics to make the sound distinctively herself.
The album’s weakness seems to be its vulgar lyrics, which take away from the messages that her songs on personal improvement and love may have communicated otherwise. Contrary to past albums, the pop star chose to stray away from the slower, more vulnerable style that has gained popularity, with very few titles deviating from the fast tempo accompanying her catchy one-liners. What she lacks in depth is made up for in part with production, as her team paired compelling instrumentation with Carpenter’s clear voice.
This album release marks a big image shift for the pop icon as she moves away from her original catering to young audiences. She seems intent on abandoning her Disney Channel persona, making an undeniable splash in the public’s expectations. “Man’s Best Friend” feels like the work of an artist in stylistic transition, with its bold conversation-sparking lyrics often falling short of delivering real substance. As Sabrina Carpenter said herself, “This album is not for any pearl clutchers.”
