The summer pop scene of 2024 is heavily influenced by a select group of artists. Charli XCX has kicked off a ‘BRAT’ summer, with her hit album showing no signs of waning ahead of her upcoming tours in the UK and US. Similarly, Chappell Roan has made waves with her debut album, ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’, which recently topped the UK charts, bolstered by significant music festival appearances and the popular track ‘Good Luck, Babe!’.
Sabrina Carpenter is also making her mark, rapidly climbing the ranks of pop stardom. Her highly anticipated sixth album, ‘Short n’ Sweet’, follows an eventful two years for the 25-year-old artist. With a background in music and a successful acting career launched by Disney Channel, Carpenter has been active in music since 2014. Her previous album, ‘Emails I Can’t Send’, released in 2022, marked a major turning point in her career, featuring catchy tracks like ‘Feather’ and the viral hit ‘Nonsense’. This surge in popularity was further fueled by her tour supporting Taylor Swift and her appearance at Coachella.
Carpenter solidified her status as a pop icon with the release of two singles from ‘Short n’ Sweet’. The danceable track ‘Espresso’ and the country-infused ‘Please Please Please’, which features her real-life boyfriend, actor Barry Keoghan, have both become staples on summer playlists, achieving number one status in the UK.
The album itself is a fitting tribute to its name, comprising 12 engaging pop tracks that showcase Carpenter’s vibrant personality. Her wit and candor shine through in the lyrics; in ‘Juno’, she breathlessly declares, “Adore me/Hold me and explore me/I’m so fucking horny,” evoking a playful, flirty energy. The song ‘Bad Chem’ features a spoken-word segment where she provocatively asks a partner, “Why not uponeth me?”
Tracks like ‘Taste’ add to the summer vibe with playful lines such as, “I heard you’re back together and if that’s true/You’ll have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you,” while ‘Please Please Please’ features Carpenter hinting at the complications of romance with, “Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another/I beg you, don’t embarrass me, motherfucker”.
The album showcases a diverse mix of influences ranging from country and folk rock to 80s synth-pop. Catchy choruses and Carpenter’s distinctive vocals are prominent throughout, delivering both humorous and heartfelt moments. The standout track ‘Sharpest Tool’ showcases an unconventional structure paired with reflective lyrics that highlight her growth, such as, “We had sex, I met your best friends/Then a bird flies by and you forget.”
Overall, Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ not only meets the expectations set by its title but also amplifies her charm and personality, solidifying her place in today’s pop landscape.