In late Aug., pop artist Sabrina Carpenter released her long-awaited album titled “Short n’ Sweet” to boughs of approval. “Short n’ Sweet” clarifies what the casual Sabrina fan already knows: pop is back and kicking.
“It’s just something I listen to when I need motivation. It’s very upbeat,” said OH junior Katelyn Thilk, a self-proclaimed pop music fan, and Carpenter fan. “It’s leaned toward obsession,” she added.
With songs such as “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” Carpenter teased what pop rebirth was to come. “Espresso,” aptly named considering its short run time of two minutes and fifty-six seconds, gives us a taste of fun summer vibes with a beat from a free sound sampler.
According to Billboard, Carpenter’s first single “Espresso” reached number three on Billboard’s Hot 100 in June, while her second single “Please Please Please” climbed during June to number one. However, it’s not just Carpenter’s singles that are gaining attention.
“All the songs are already doing really good on charts so that will probably make her more popular,” said Audrey Jomant, an OH senior and Sabrina Carpenter fan.
So it has, with clips of Carpenter trending online and new fans finding her on the daily. “Short n’ Sweet” has gained so much popularity that people of all ages know a song or two.
We like Short n’ Sweet. It may not be our go-to album, but some tracks are in the rotation. We lean towards the poppy songs that highlight Carpenter’s typical tongue-in-cheek lyricism and stray away from the monotonous ballads.
There is an artistry throughout the album, yet songs like “Coincidence,” “Slim Pickins,” and “Lie to Girls” feel generic. Hooks and choruses in particular lack the typical Carpenter charm. Yes, the lyrics might have a bite, but the ballad aspect practically cancels this out. “Lie to Girls” has the perfect lyrics to be a song with an upbeat rhythm and a strong bass line, yet it is a slow ballad. We respect the choice, but we would not do that ourselves.
Despite this, many Sabrina fans love the album “My favorite [song] is Lie to Girls,” said senior Audrey Jomant, “because it’s a sad song [with] good lyrics.”
That is the key to understanding the success and art behind Short n’ Sweet. It is an album packed with ideas. “Lie to Girls” is relatable and raw. “Espresso” carries summer feelings, and “Please Please Please is the perfect in-between. It is upbeat, and catchy, yet carries this emotionality as crooned with “Please, please, please, don’t prove I’m right.”
Short n’ Sweet has solidified that pop can be both fun and emotional. This combination is a perfect niche for Sabrina Carpenter to fill. She embodies the pop princess who puts her actor boyfriend in music videos, but she can also be a girl with real emotions to share.
This combination is a driving force behind Short n’ Sweet’s success, from topping the Billboard Top 200 albums to selling over 360,000 units, the album’s fluidity is key.
While we may not be a fan of her ballads, it has been made loud and clear by Sabrina Carpenter fans that they are key to her success.
I am a senior and this is my first year as a student journalist for 42Fifty. I currently play the trumpet in the OHS Marching Band and I am a member of BIONIC as well. I am excited for learning and gaining experience in journalism this year. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
Hi, I'm Skye, this is my first year as a student journalist here at the 42Fifty. I am in my senior year and involved in various extracurriculars including, Speech, LASO, and YAG. Follow me on all socials! @eskyeeeeee
[…] Carpenter recently released her deluxe version of the Grammy award-winning album “Short n’ Sweet.” However, people have mixed feelings about the additional 15 minutes of deluxe tracks, […]