As the summer came to a close, Sabrina Carpenter released her newest studio album, bringing her trendy music into the fall. Man’s Best Friend not only featured the usual upbeat songs and personal anthems often seen from the pop icon, but also a mixture of slower, more autobiographical music detailing the end of a relationship and her cynical thoughts on romance. Man’s Best Friend expertly balances funky, glitter-gel-pen pop songs containing thinly veiled innuendos with multiple references to heartbreak and sarcastic takes on personal experiences.
As with Carpenter’s previous album, Short n’ Sweet, the very first track on Man’s Best Friend dropped as a single weeks prior to the album’s official release. “Manchild” combines synth-pop with catchy lyrics, making it clear to listeners that Carpenter once again worked with producer Jack Antonoff on this album. The song debuted with a music video featuring over 37 wardrobe changes and a dance during the bridge that later went viral on TikTok, no doubt boosting the song’s popularity. The second track, “Tears,” released with a music video on the same night as the album. This newest video doesn’t just match Carpenter’s flashy aesthetic but also holds multiple references to the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The song itself fits into the category of disco, perfectly following “Manchild” on the track list.
Perhaps the saddest song on the album, “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” explores the seemingly endless cycle of a relationship about to meet its end, but with both people refusing to officially call it off. The bridge of the song, which includes the lyrics “You say we’re driftin’ apart / I said, ‘Yeah, I f*cking know’ / Big deal, we’ve been here before / And we’ll be here tomorrow,” details these feelings and adds to the emotion of the song as a whole.
“Nobody’s Son” picks the energy of the album back up. On first listen, the song confusingly starts with the out of place lyrics “Hi, I hope you’re great / I think it’s time we took a break / So I can grow emotionally,” words that sound odd in the context of Carpenter’s other lyrics. It isn’t until the verse concludes with her singing, “That’s what he said to me,” that the song feels like it officially starts. This direct quotation adds to the autobiographical aspect of her music and makes listeners feel as if we are hearing this story directly from Carpenter or even reading her diary.
“Never Getting Laid” is a blend of post-break up thoughts, in which Carpenter both wishes someone the best and worst in their romantic future. The lyrics as well as a few instrumental flairs make this song somewhat country and very similar to “Manchild,” but it also sticks out as a favorite of mine. Bringing back the fast-paced songs, “Go Go Juice” is a synth-pop, cheerful, good old fashioned song. Although some of the lyrics of “Go Go Juice” have a cynical tone to them, such as “A girl who knows her liquor is a girl who’s been dumped,” the fast-paced tempo makes it hard to linger on those lines.
“House Tour” falls into the category of synth-pop perfectly, having the same tempo as her previous songs on Man’s Best Friend like “Go Go Juice” while also matching some songs from her other albums like “Busy Woman” from Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe). “House Tour” is one of the best examples of Carpenter’s humorous writing and contains multiple innuendo-filled lyrics and the jokes that she’s known for.
“Goodbye,” the final track on the album, not only serves as a “see you later” to all those listening but also makes it clear that when you break up with Carpenter, you will never see her again. The chorus of the song repeats “Can’t call it love, then call it quits, can’t shoot me down, then shoot the sh*t / Did you forget it was you who said goodbye?” which provides catchy lines for everyone listening. No doubt this song is a top contender for Carpenter’s finale at any future concerts she holds.
Man’s Best Friend sets itself apart from Carpenter’s previous albums while also fitting in perfectly with her discography. The jokes, lyrics and melodies — as well as just the right amount of vulnerability and openness — make her music unique and popular among avid and casual listeners alike. With the viral moments from her previous tour dates and her most recent performance at the VMAs, I wonder what Carpenter will bring to the stage in the future when she starts debuting these masterfully crafted songs live more often.