‘Mans Best Friend’ debuts No.1 on billboard 200
Following the success of her hit single “Espresso,” and album “Short n’ Sweet,” pop star Sabrina Carpenter is coming back with her seventh album titled “Man’s Best Friend.” The primarily pop album features elements of funk, disco-pop and synth-rock. The album bleeds into Carpenter’s confidence.
Her single “Manchild” is a country influenced, humorous track that criticizes an ex-boyfriend, describing him as a “manchild” and how she likes her men “incompetent.” The second single released from the album titled “Tears” explores finding pleasure unexpectedly through her partner doing simple things for her, such as “assembling a chair from IKEA” or “remembering how to use the phone.”
The disco influence is very heavy throughout the song titled “My Man on Willpower.” The song mentions a partner who has prioritized his self-improvement, and self-restraint so much that he has “no time” at all for relationships and is no longer obsessed with Carpenter which she does not understand. The mood of the song is a blend of humor, confusion and disappointment.
“Sugar Talking” is Carpenter calling out her lover for his sweet talking, hence the word sugar and his actions which are not helpful or kind. The song expresses the desire for genuine effort and care in the relationship. “Put your loving where your mouth is, your sugar talking ain’t working tonight” expresses the empty promises and materialistic gestures, rather than the genuine and face to face connection.
Carpenter’s soft, flowy voice follows in “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night,” describes the toxic cycle of fighting, making up, and reconciling once again, and the oh so familiar feeling to any woman or man listening to this heartfelt track. It highlights the push and pulls of a relationship, where both partners are drawn back to the same patterns that have occurred many times before.
Track six is called “Nobody’s Son” is an ode to hurt. “There’s nobody son’s, not anyone left for me to believe in, and yes, I’m talking about your baby.” She is expressing a sense of loneliness and feeling that no man can love her correctly, or at all. The song describes the aftermath of her dealing with a “Manchild.” It conveys the deep-seated frustration of there being no good men left.
“Never Getting Laid” is a harsh, yet a playful view after a breakup. The introduction of the song is also seemingly familiar to “Emotions” by The Bee Gees. Carpenter is wishing her ex a “lifetime of happiness,” but throwing a jab of “never getting laid” for his emotional distance in the relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of a breakup where discipline was used instead of affection, leaving a final cheeky curse on the ex.
Following the cheeky jab, “When Did You Get Hot”? is where she addresses a former boy, she’s had a crush on while recognizing his glow-up. “You were an ugly kid, but you’re a sexy man” shows her using a sarcastic tone, showing the difference between his past self, and him now. The lyrics flow well with the album, the upbeat poppy song gives it more of a sexy, sultry vibe.
“Go Go Juice”, describes how her drinking led to regrettable actions, drunk dialing her exes, “I’m just drinking to call someone, ain’t nobody safe when I’m a little drunk”, establishes her loss of self control once she is drunk. The overall theme of this song explores the themes of heartbreak and using alcohol to fuel her calling her ex-partners.
“Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry,” one of the slower songs of the entire album is Carpenter retaliating at a lover who seems to not be able to read any signs. Ending the song off with a subtle message “I’ll leave you feeling like a shell of a man.”
The most groovy and fun song of the album “House Tour” is where Carpenter expresses wanting someone to come home with her after a date. “Take your shoes off, thank you for dinner, baby, I had a really great time.” Presenting herself with confidence while craving a connection beyond the superficial interactions.
The last song on the 12 track album “Goodbye,” is another slow track, Carpenter is saying goodbye to an old love and to her album. Where she certainly does not hold back her feelings to her former love.
Overall, the 12 track album had a different vibe, every song was something new, with a different story and theme. The flow of the album was very boppy for me, although there were some slower songs on the album, a lot were upbeat and rhythmic. My personal favorites are “Sugar Talking,” “Tears” and “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night.” Even though the impact of her album may not be as big as “Short n’ Sweet,” make no mistake, Sabrina Carpenter is the main pop girl at the moment.