Sabrina Carpenter released her 7th studio album, βManβs Best Friend,β on Aug. 29, and it was instantly accepted as an iconic popstar moment by fans of the genre.
The lead single, βManchild,β dropped earlier this summer, sparking speculations on Carpenterβs next move. Sticking to her empowering-pop vibe, βManchildβ seemed to be a callout to behaviors she had experienced in some of her previous relationships.
While the album cover and title may lead some to believe that Carpenter would only cater to those in a relationship or aspiring to be in one, that couldnβt be more incorrect. Each song provides a different and deep commentary on Carpenterβs experiences, all while providing catchy choruses and her iconic popstar feel. With some acoustic, some synth and some traditional pop, the album is worth a listen.
Following the lead single, which was also the albumβs first track, βTearsβ is the first taste of the upbeat-yet-brutally-honest-pop-queen that many fans know Sabrina to be. The lyrics are filled with irony and comedy β things that Carpenter uniquely incorporates into her lyricism. The whole song β which has an accompanying music video starring Emmy-Award winning actor Coleman Domingo in drag makeup and costume β says that if you do the bare minimum in a relationship, youβve got Carpenterβs heart.
Each song has its own unique theme and sound, all while creating a cohesive album that features Carpenterβs signature flare and brutally honest expression.
In βSugar Talkin,β Carpenter calls out a partner, telling him to βput your lovinβ where your mouth is,β and to stop going through the motions to have a meaningful connection. βNever Getting Laidβ and βWhen Did You Get Hot?β both have similar sounds, but βNever Getting Laidβ stars Carpenter pettily wishing someone a forever of not finding another partner, and βWhen Did You Get Hot?β describes a surprise attraction.
βWe Almost Broke Up Again Last Nightβ and βDonβt Worry Iβll Make You Worryβ feature slower acoustic sounds. βWe Almost Broke Up Again Last Nightβ shows just how rocky relationships can really be, especially when a failing relationship keeps dragging on. βDonβt Worry Iβll Make You Worryβ goes into Carpenter’s toxic tendencies in relationships, and how unique she is, compared to other partners.
The most upbeat and fun songs on the album include βTears,β βNobodyβs Son,β βGo Go Juice,β House Tourβ and βGoodbye.β βNobodyβs Sonβ talks about how Sabrina feels hopeless in her romantic life, and how there isnβt anyone left for her to believe in. βGo Go Juiceβ talks about how heartbreak can lead someone to other vices, which can lead to some embarrassing phone calls. βHouse Tourβ is a song about giving a romantic partner a house tour, in which Carpenter and her partner get to know one another better. According to Carpenter, thereβs no metaphor intended. The album ends with βGoodbye.β The song has an ABBA-like feel, and describes how once you say goodbye to Carpenter, you wonβt get another chance to say hello.