2024 has been a fantastic year for music, filled with tracks that have dominated our playlists. Among these standout releases, one album has truly captured the spotlight: Short n’ Sweet by pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.
To keep it short and sweet, this album deserves all the praise it’s been getting. She’s done it once again! Sabrina Carpenter has captured our hearts and delivered an album packed with hit after hit. It’s impossible for you not to have heard of the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, but if you’re unaware of her achievements, let me break it down for you.
Sabrina Carpenter first found stardom as a Disney actress in the popular TV series: Girl Meets World. Like many Disney stars, she released a few songs during her time with the company. However, it wasn’t until the release of her album: emails i can’t send, that she genuinely broke into mainstream stardom – shedding the shadow of her Disney days and coming into her own as an artist.
Now that you’ve just had your crash course in Sabrina 101, let’s talk about her newest brainchild: Short n’ Sweet.
Short n’ Sweet’s theme is a far cry from its predecessor emails i can’t send. Could it be the high she’s been riding since she got together with her new beau, Barry Keoghan? I suppose we’ll never know for sure. But I definitely know one thing: Sabrina has somehow cracked the code for creating irresistibly catchy pop songs that you just can’t shake. Each track is an unfiltered glimpse into how it feels to be a girl in today’s world. Her candour has resulted in some extremely relatable songs with spot-on lyrics – which we’ve all been living for.
Choosing my top picks from this album was no easy feat, but I’ve somehow managed to narrow it down to the top five standout tracks. So, please please please join me as we dive into the lore and anatomy of Short n’ Sweet
Taste
Sabrina Carpenter is known for her iconic music videos; Taste was no exception. Embracing a horror-comedy theme, it was only apt for her to include this generation’s Winona Ryder – Jenna Ortega. Naturally, the internet was in an uproar over this legendary duo we didn’t know we needed.
If you haven’t watched the music video everyone’s been buzzing about, do yourself a favour and check it out. The video is packed with nods to some of the greatest cult-classic horror films. In the video, Sabrina, who plays the role of a vengeful ex, and Jenna, the new girl, are in a Tom & Jerry-esque chase over a boy.
Sonically, Taste is a disco-infused pop song that would fit perfectly in the end credits of a teenage beach movie. There’s something in the way she sings the chorus that just scratches a part of my brain. Perhaps it’s the hints of the disco genre, but the chorus evokes a sense of nostalgia that makes you want to sing along even before knowing the lyrics.
A subtle lyrics in the song, “I’ve known I’ve been known to share” makes Taste feel like the mature and healed older sister of because i liked a boy from her previous album. For those unfamiliar with the lore, because i liked a boy was speculated to be Sabrina’s response to her rumoured involvement in Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett’s relationship saga.
In true internet fashion, fans have been quick to speculate that Taste may be directed at Camila Cabello – the on-again, off-again girlfriend of pop sensation Shawn Mendes. Sabrina and Shawn were spotted together a few months back sparking rumours of a romance. With the release of Taste coinciding with the speculation around Shawn and Camila’s reunion, fans can’t help but wonder if the track is a subtle jab at their relationship.
While this hasn’t taken centre stage in discussions about the album, it certainly adds an intriguing layer to the narrative – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good sip of tea?
Bed Chem
Bed Chem is one of the tracks with the internet in a chokehold right now. Fans were quick to snatch the song up and use it as the unofficial soundtrack to the internet’s favourite pastime – watching thirst trap edits on TikTok.
And honestly, I can’t think of a better choice. Bed Chem is unserious and packed with Sabrina’s signature wordplay. As far as lyrics go, her lyrical skills shine through as she sings about her explicit desires. As someone who loves clever lyrics, I wasn’t disappointed. What else could we expect from the same artist who gave us those unforgettable, witty outros in Nonsense.
I especially loved the start of the second verse when she decides to go all Shakespearean on us, adding an extra layer of charm to the track. While we all know Sabrina is a vocal powerhouse – with some of the best runs and ad-libs in the business – it was her more understated approach on this track that stood out to me. She treats the song almost like spoken poetry, with a few well-placed runs to enhance the mood.
Combined with her playful wordplay, Bed Chem could be analysed as modern poetry. The laid-back, R&B-infused sound adds a sensual vibe that perfectly complements the playful lyrics.
Dumb & Poetic
Hidden in the back half of Short n’ Sweet is the track: Dumb & Poetic. If you listen to the album in chronological order, the slower, stripped-back instrumental of this song is a jarring contrast to the upbeat energy of Espresso, the song that precedes it.
Dumb & Poetic is one of the few songs where we really get to see Sabrina shed her confident facade and wear her heart on her sleeves. Where Bed Chem is lighthearted and playful, Dumb & Poetic is raw and candid.
Dumb & Poetic tells the story of anyone who’s been stuck in a toxic relationship with a partner who pretends to be better than they actually are. Unfortunately, being in a relationship with someone who thinks they’re superior has become a common experience, and it seems even celebrities aren’t spared from this pain.
Sabrina delivers a brutal call-out with painfully relatable lyrics, finishing each part of the song with the line, “Just because you act like one, doesn’t make you a man.” It’s a song I can already see being added to the heartbreak playlists everywhere on Spotify, thanks to Sabrina’s ruthless honesty.
While some may not appreciate the simplicity of the instrumentals, I love how it shifts the focus entirely to the lyrics and the emotional weight of the story. For anyone going through heartbreak, this song might break your heart even more, but its deeply relatable lyrics will also make you feel seen.
Slim Pickins
Following Dumb & Poetic on the album is Slim Pickins. Sabrina surprises all of us and adopts a country style on this track – think Our Song by Taylor Swift. She sings over a simple banjo and guitar backing, which is definitely not what we’re used to for Sabrina’s music – but I actually really like the switch-up.
With Slim Pickins, Sabrina steps outside her usual pop realm, showing she’s unafraid to experiment with new genres. It serves as an indication of her artistic growth and ability to evolve musically.
Much like Dumb & Poetic, Slim Pickins’ simple instrumental serves as the humble stage where Sabrina’s vocals truly shine. In my humble opinion, this track was one of the best showcases of Sabrina’s vocal talents in the whole album. Even though I am physically unable to recreate her runs when I sing along, it hasn’t stopped me from trying.
Slim Pickins feels like the national anthem for singles in today’s dating market. The track hilariously captures how, to put it bluntly, the options out there are less than ideal. Remember when I said that this whole album is an unfiltered glimpse into how it feels like to be a girl in today’s world? This track really drives my point home.
This song perfectly embodies the question, “Where have all the good guys gone?” Sabrina easily delivers this sobering sentiment, validating our worries about the current state of dating. Slim Pickins resonates with this generation as we navigate the complexities of modern dating. With fleeting connections, this song feels especially timely in today’s romantic landscapes.
Juno
The last song to wrap up this review of Short n’ Sweet is none other than Juno. This song is a clear nod to the 2007 coming-of-age comedy film Juno, which follows the story of teenager Juno MacGuff as she navigates life after discovering she’s pregnant. Sabrina Carpenter cleverly uses this reference to express how deeply in love she is, singing that she’s willing to let him “make her Juno.” It’s a bold declaration and one that encapsulates the playful, carefree energy of the song.
Juno stands in stark comparison to tracks like Dumb & Poetic and Slim Pickins. Here, we see the return of the same lighthearted, cheeky Sabrina that we were introduced to in Bed Chem. This track is just as unserious as the others on the album and feels like a moment where Sabrina lets loose and simply has fun with the music.
Musically, Juno opens with a tune reminiscent of 90s pop – bringing in a wave of nostalgia with its upbeat, feel-good vibes. The song then transitions into a more contemporary pop sound that we’ve come to associate with Sabrina. The blend of old-school charm reflects the youthful, carefree love that we all wish to experience.
The bouncy, playful rhythm coupled with Sabrina’s breezy vocals gives the track a lighthearted feel, making it one of the most infectious and fun songs on the album. It’s the kind of track you can imagine blasting on a road trip, with its catchy melodies and sing-along chorus.
Ending Comments
Short n’ Sweet is Sabrina’s departure from the seriousness and heartache that was the theme of her previous album. I think we can all agree that this shift feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s an album that embraces fun, flirtation and vulnerability in equal measure. Sabrina expertly blends humour and heart, giving us tracks that are both lighthearted and deeply relatable.
Sabrina’s ability to keep things real without losing her sense of playfulness is a balance that keeps her music approachable and genuine. Short n’ Sweet is a testament that Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just evolving; she’s solidifying her place as one of pop’s most versatile and exciting voices.
If this album is any indication of what’s to come, we’re in for a treat with whatever she drops next.
Do yourself a favour and make sure you don’t miss out on one of the biggest albums this year! Check out Short n’ Sweet on Sabrina Carpenter’s official Spotify and YouTube. Don’t forget to follow her official Instagram account to keep up with the biggest name in Pop right now! If you want to relive some of her oldies, you can check out our coverage for her first-ever live performance in Singapore back in 2019.
Visuals courtesy of Island Records.
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