From opening the Eras Tour to Coachella, Sabrina Carpenter has really been workin’ late in 2024. Short n’ Sweet is the pop star’s sixth studio album, coming after the very successful Emails I can’t Send record that featured some of her most well-known hits, including “Nonsense” and “Feather”. However, nobody could have predicted the success of Short n’ Sweet. When released in August this year, all 12 songs charted above 50 on the Hot 100. The most successful single “Espresso” which was released in April, has reached over 1 billion streams on Spotify, and “Please Please Please” is not far behind at nearly 800,000,000.
This album has provided much of the internet (and myself) with the hope that pop music is back after the drought we have recently experienced. Every single track from this album, as discussed in further detail below, is a catchy raver for all of the pop girlies. Want an Espresso summer? Sabrina’s got you covered!
“Taste” (9/10)
“Taste” is the most recently-released song with a music video from the album, which provided much excitement on the night of the release. The video contained the familiar face of Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, and also contained a very exciting and humorous narrative. The girls both fight for the ‘Beloved Boyfriend’ of the video by repeatedly trying to kill each other, but because “you’ll just have to taste me, when he’s kissing you” they end up killing the boyfriend. It is very well produced and very much up to the iconic standard of music videos of the 2000s and early 2010s. It personally reminds me of a Katy Perry or Taylor Swift type production, which I think we all need more of in our lives—with the near death of normal television, music videos have almost become a thing of the past. This makes me think otherwise, which I am very grateful for as a music video lover. For the actual song itself, it’s a super catchy and upbeat tune, which has been harnessed by the TikTok community. While much of its success likely comes from its TikTok popularity, I do believe that the song is also a nice jam on its own, which will likely make it stand the test of time compared to other TikTok famous songs. It is a good opener for the album, showing the witty, smart, and sexy attitude that Sabrina wanted to bring, which is why it is one of my favourites.
Favourite lyrics:
“And singin' 'bout it don't mean I care
Yeah, I know I've been known to share”
“Please Please Please” (8/10)
Her second single from the album, “Please Please Please” can also be considered a hard launch of Carpenter’s relationship with Irish actor Barry Keoghan. They were rumoured to have been together since December 2023, and had various joint red carpet appearances and instagram comments together since. However, the biggest launch of their relationship was easily this music video, where Keoghan plays Carpenter’s mob-boyfriend who constantly gets into trouble. The behind-the-scenes of the making of the music video shows Keoghan and Carpenter holding hands in between takes, and also them just being all-round in love. While the song is not confirmed to be about Keoghan, it would make sense given their on-off relationship. However, Carpenter explained that “I wrote this song in the midst of writing my new album and this song was the opening to a different chapter of the album which was really exciting to me. Sonically super different to 'Espresso'. It gives you a little bit of a taste of a different colour you'll hear on the album.” It’s certainly different in its slower pace and more sombre lyrics, but similar to all of the other songs in that it is extremely catchy! It’s a very fun tune, and makes for another part of a Sabrina-dominated music season.
Favourite lyrics:
“And we could live so happily if no one knows that you're with me
I'm just kidding, but really (Kinda), really, really”
“Good Graces” (10/10)
This song is how you know pop music is so back. “Good Graces” is my favourite song on the album, with its upbeat pace and cheeky lyrics, it is the perfect song to make you feel like a hot girl. While not the most popular on the album, every time I have listened to this song I’ve felt the need to listen to it again. And again. It’s addicting, and because I’m still not sick of it after replaying it 1000 times in just a few months, it’s easily my favourite. What makes a good album isn’t the big hits that go for miles, but the songs that bind the record together and aren’t just there for decoration. “Good Graces” is effective in channelling the theme of the album, while making it flow very smoothly. Following “Please Please Please” where Carpenter begs her partner not to embarrass her, “Good Graces” continues to set her standards for the relationship. Little details like these are what make the album so perfect.
Favourite lyrics:
“Cause no one’s more amazin’
At turnin’ lovin’ into hatred”
“Sharpest Tool” (6/10)
This is one of the less pop-y songs on the album, but is important for developing the ‘shorter’ and less ‘sweet’ theme of the album. Referring to the euphemism “I know you're not the sharpest tool in the shed” which is a phrase for someone who isn’t very intelligent, Carpenter explains a relationship she had with a man who just didn’t get it. This man is rumoured to be Shawn Mendes, with whom she had a relationship in early 2023. Many factors of their relationship mirror the lyrics of the song, including Mendes going back to his ex Camila Cabello and also turning to God after his relationship with Carpenter ended. To me, this song is an effective dig at these people (or any others that the song may be about) in Carpenter’s life, but is also cross-applicable to the situations of many women out there. Dealing with stupid guys is something that many girls have to face in their young lives, showing how applicable Carpenter’s song is to her audience. In analysing the actual song, it definitely focuses on and highlights Carpenter’s ability to sing in a very high, angelic voice. While not the easiest to sing along to (especially as I’m no pro), it is still a very enjoyable listen for me. I enjoy the speed of the bridge and the chorus, which give into the witty and youthful vibes of the album.
Favourite lyrics:
“Guess I'll waste another year on wonderin' if
If that was casual, then I'm an idiot
I'm lookin' for an answer in-between the lines
Lyin' to yourself if you think we'rе fine”
“Coincidence” (6/10)
“Coincidence” channels more smart and sarcastic themes in the album, explaining how it must just be a coincidence that her partner keeps on interacting with his ex. The song draws on 70s country vibes, and is a very obvious dig at a particular person, likely Shawn Mendes. It particularly links to his on-and-off relationship with Cabello with the lyric “Oh wow, you just broke up again, what a coincidence.” While less pop than many of the other songs on the album, it is still a certified banger. The obvious digs at Mendes and Cabello are hilarious to me, and is exactly how messy we need the celebrity world to be.
Favourite lyric:
“Palm Springs looks nice, but who's by your side?
Damn it, she looks kinda like the girl you outgrew
Least that's what you said”
“Bed Chem” (8/10)
Continuing the sexy and flirtatious vibes of the album, “Bed Chem” is another one of my favourite tracks of the album. It’s another one of Carpenter’s best contributions to pop music this year, and has been especially appreciated by TikTok for its smart and catchy lyrics. The song creatively describes a feeling of attraction, as Carpenter explained to Paper: “There was a lot of steam in the studio. It was real hot and heavy. No, I'm kidding. My friend Paloma and I coined the term [‘bed chem’]. I went to the studio that day and was like, ‘I have this title and idea, and we have to make it sexy and a little bit unserious at the same time because it is such a ridiculous concept.” The song has obvious resemblance to Carpenter’s relationship with Keoghan, with him and his “white jacket” and “thick accent”. When Short n’ Sweet was released he even specifically mentioned the song on his Instagram story, saying: “BED CHEM is my fave just sayin m’darlin.” It’s one of my faves too Barry, though probably not for the same reasons.
Favourite lyric:
“Who's the cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accent?”
“Espresso” (9/10)
The first track to be released, “Espresso” was certainly the shot needed for Short n’ Sweet to be such a success. The track and music video were released during Coachella, where Carpenter debuted the song in her first performance. The summer beach vibe of the song made it a perfect fit for the crowds of Coachella, but also the world, as it easily became song of the summer in the northern hemisphere. The music video, featuring 60s summer vibes with a Sabrina twist, helped in propelling the popularity of the song, while matching its energy perfectly. “Espresso” is one of those songs that got so big that it will likely be one of the main things that it remembered about mid 2024. It spent seven weeks at number 1 in the UK charts, and 20 weeks in the top 10. It also recently picked up a VMA for “Song of the Year”, beating Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight”. While TikTok took a hold of it and overplayed it until our ears bled, it still remains a hit. It’s catchy, it’s fun, it’s summer, what more could you want from a song?
Favourite lyrics:
“I'm working late 'cause I'm a singer
Oh, he looks so cute wrapped 'round my finger”
“Dumb & Poetic” (6/10)
To me, “Dumb & Poetic” taps into a lot of Carpenter’s singing ability that was explored in Emails I can’t send, particularly the song “Vicious”. The high-range and slow pace shows how talented she really is. It’s one of the more gloomy songs of the album, maybe representing the true impacts of all of the breakup stuff she has joked about throughout the album. While having a different tone, it still flows well in the album, showing the duality of Short n’ Sweet. It is effective in demonstrating the manipulation that one can orchestrate through the use of words, and how this has impacted her in her relationships. It’s not my favourite song in the album as it’s just a little slow and whiny for me, but it still explores some ideas which makes it more than just a filler song on the album.
Favourite lyrics:
“Don't think you understand
Just 'cause you talk like one doesn't make you a man”
“Slim Pickins” (7/10)
“Slim Pickins” is a hilarious, highly-relatable, country-pop tune about the disappointment which is the current generation of men on the dating scene. The ideas mentioned are very humorous to me, especially as a teenage girl who truly understands how irritating men are. Carpenter describes men who are hot and kind often being stupid, or “a boy who’s nice that breathes” being nowhere to be seen. This represents the struggle that many women have, making a joke of the pure resentment and anger that is often faced when trying to deal with men. The cheeky country aspects such as the banjo further show the silliness of the song to make it amusing to the listener, but also allow the relationship themes to be effectively portrayed. This song slots so well on the album, again contributing to making Short n’ Sweet such an exciting contribution to music in 2024.
Favourite lyrics:
“Jesus, what's a girl to do?
This boy doesn't even know
The difference between ‘there,’ ‘their’ and ‘they are’”
“Juno” (8/10)
This song has very wholesome late 1990s/early 2000s vibes, has a very nice beat and is very fun to sing along to. The song is confirmed to have drawn inspiration from the 2007 movie of the same name, where Carpenter stated on a TikTok Q&A: “That is the Juno I'm referring to. I'm not referring to Mount Juneau, because some people have asked me, I'm like, ‘No, it's the pregnant one.’” I must admit, it isn’t a very PG or
listen-to-in-front-of-your-parents type song, but it still very fun to sing and just vibe to. To me, I think it would be nice if it was a little bit more listen-in-public friendly, but it does fit with the overall sexy and witty theme of the album.
Favourite lyric:
“You make me wanna make you fall in love”
“Lie to Girls” (7/10)
“Lie to Girls” demonstrates the true essence of ‘delulu is the solulu.’ It explains exactly how women continually make exceptions for men that they are interested in ‘lying to themselves’ so that they can still be in love. Essentially, this is the action of ignoring the red flags because the green ones are just so pretty. The song, while extremely relatable in its lyrics, represents a much wider change in pop music. It shows a shift from the exploration of love to the exploration of lust, which is continual throughout most of the album but epitomised through this song. I really enjoy how confronting but easily relatable this song is. It is able to make women conscious of their actions; not necessarily ashamed but aware. To me, it is important to have leading female artists like Carpenter discussing issues about female life in multiple broader contexts, as it allows all women to feel seen. This song is a perfect example of this.
Favourite lyric:
“You don't have to lie to girls
If they like you, they'll just lie to themselves”
“Don’t Smile” (4/10)
I’m going to be honest with you all, when I first listened to this song I immediately thought of elevator music. To me, “Lie to Girls” would have been the perfect ending to the album with the angelic outro and lustful themes, and so this song seems like it was just added to make the album longer. I can acknowledge that the album is quite short as it is, but I just wish that actual effort was put into the outro of such a comprehensive and well-themed album. I don’t believe that the repetition in the chorus of the lead theme, a spin on the quote “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”, is very interesting or effective. Carpenter stated that: “Well, also that saying is on every Pinterest board, every sewn pillow that you've ever seen but the opposite. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. And I was like, ‘F--- that’. That was beautiful and also just so simple. I wrote that in France and in 30 minutes it was done.” My opinion apparently isn’t very popular among Carpenters, with many fans having “Don’t Smile” in their top three Short n’ Sweet songs. I just believe that it is so genuinely underwhelming after how great the rest of the album was.
Favourite lyric:
“Don't smile because it happened, baby
Cry because it's over”
Delulu is the Solulu - PREACHHHHHHHH