Sabrina Carpenter has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world following the release of her 2024 album “Short ‘n Sweet”. The album was the sixth to be released from the now 26-year-old singer-songwriter, and it took her from cult following to global superstar thanks to hits including ‘Espresso’, ‘Please Please Please’ and ‘Taste’. A little over a year from that album and Carpenter is keeping the momentum going with her seventh studio album “Man’s Best Friend”, which features the number one single “Manchild”.
Upon the announcement of the album, Carpenter was met with criticism due to the album cover depicting her on all fours with her hair being grabbed by (presumably) a man. The general feeling is that it showed her about to engage in a sexual act and it drew criticism for portraying women as subservient to men. Ever the clever marketeer, Carpenter was quick to release a series of alternate covers that were perhaps more suited to the younger portion of her audience. Despite the controversy, Carpenter paved the way for the album with the Dolly Parton-esque ‘Manchild’. Mixing pop and Country, the song features lyrics that Dolly would never sing but the melody sounds inspired by the icon.
“Short ‘n Sweet” established Carpenter as a chameleon, moving effortlessly between pop, dance, R&B and Country. Is she following the same recipe on “Man’s Best Friend”? Pretty much but there’s a feeling that she’s honed what works well for her, delivering a more sonically cohesive album than her last. Carpenter has co-written every track, teaming up once again with Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and John Ryan across the record. Second single ‘Tears’, which arrived today with a ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ inspired video leans into 70s disco marrying Carpenter’s plain-spoken lyrics with an infectious groove. Expect this to hit the top of the charts and add to her ever-increasing tally of number one songs.
‘My Man On Willpower’ finds Carpenter frustrated with a man who is showing too much restraint towards her despite her ‘slutty pyjamas’. The song is disguised by a pleasant mid-tempo vibe but if you really listen to the lyrics, you’ll uncover a little more depth. The laidback groove of ‘Sugar Talking’ sees the singer being provocative as she tells a love interest to drop the small talk and act on his desire, while ‘We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night’ strips everything back for an acoustic track that explores the push and pull of a relationship on the brink.
“Nobody’s Son” takes an unexpected tropical turn as Carpenter reflects on being single and losing her faith in men, ‘Never Getting Laid’ is a smooth 70s-tinged track with a soulful groove with biting lyrics about wishing an ex a lifetime with no sex, and ‘When Did You Get Hot?’ is a saucy R&B influenced ode to take another look at someone you’ve never considered as a sexual partner before. The Country sound returns on the peppy ‘Go Go Juice’ and Carpenter’s softer side comes out on the ethereal “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry”.
The album hits the final furlong with ‘House Tour’, a 90s-sounding pop track packed with double-entendre, and closing track ‘Goodbye’ is a feisty kiss-off to someone who Carpenter is cutting dead from her life. It’s an uptempo end to a record that is sure to smash streaming records over the next few days.
“Man’s Best Friend” doubles down on the sexually-charged lyrics that drew controversy on “Short ‘n Sweet”. The record is likely to have parents up in arms when they realise what their children are listening to. For Carpenter’s adult fans, this is the exact kind of record they’re going to expect from her. She injects plenty of personality across the album’s 12 tracks and it feels more confident than anything she’s released before. The album is sure to hit the top of the charts across the world, and honestly at this point, it’s Sabrina Carpenter’s world and we’re all just lucky to be living in it.
Track list: 1. Manchild 2. Tears 3. My Man On Willpower 4. Sugar Talking 5. We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night 6. Nobody’s Son 7. Never Getting Laid 8. When Did You Get Hot? 9. Go Go Juice 10. Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry 11. House Tour 12. Goodbye Record label: Island Records Release date: 29th August 2025 Buy “Man’s Best Friend” now
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