American singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album on Aug. 23. “Short n’ Sweet” offers 12 tracks with R&B, rock and disco influences, introducing universal themes of relationships and young love.
Although I am fairly familiar with Carpenter’s autobiographical writing style, I further came to appreciate her soft and carefree approach to music. Compared to its introspective predecessor, “emails i can’t send,” I noticed that the album subtly highlights Carpenter’s emerging persona as a passionate feminist far from her beginning as an ideal pop star.
“Taste,” the first track of this album, depicts a vivid romance between herself and an ex-boyfriend, not holding back on the explicit and snappy lyricism. Listening through “Good Graces” and “Sharpest Tool,” it is apparent that Carpenter’s inclusion of various genres did not influence her catchy and addictive pop hooks.
While many fans believe “Short n’ Sweet” lacks the emotional depth and cohesiveness of Carpenter’s past songwriting, its infectious energy and versatility make up for it. Each track conveys a different snippet of Carpenter’s love life and the emotional impact of her breakups, which does not necessarily take away from the album’s overall quality.
The two primary singles on the album, “Please Please Please” and “Espresso,” additionally capture Carpenter’s unfiltered view of romance. With angelic and confident vocals, Carpenter places the audience in a dream-like state, complemented by her powerful message of living a life full of joy, devoid of self-harm and lies.
Not every track shared a summer pop appeal as shown by “Juno” and “Bed Chem.” Lyrics such as “I digress, got me scrollin’ like” and “I showed my friends, then we high-fived” fell flat and I started missing the point of Carpenter’s message. At times, Carpenter’s emphasis on one-dimensional love felt redundant and forced between these songs.
Nonetheless, I would rate “Short n’ Sweet” a solid seven out of 10. It is a fun and lighthearted album that is perfect if you are on a morning drive or just waking up for school. Whether you are a long-time fan of Sabrina Carpenter or simply curious about her music this album will pique your interest, as it is short and sweet, like its title.
