Having grown up with Sabrina Carpenter during her Disney Channel days on “Girl Meets World,” I was intrigued to see her evolution with her most recent album, “Man’s Best Friend.” As I pressed play and found out “Tears” is anything but a gut wrenching ballad, I was immediately assured that Carpenter has left Disney behind her. Overall, “Man’s Best Friend” felt like a cash grab and failed to maintain the legacy of Carpenter’s previous repertoire.
Since becoming a fan of Carpenter after the release of her album “Short and Sweet” in 2024, I’ve admired how she combines clever lyrics with powerhouse vocals. I remember driving on a sunny summer day blasting “Don’t Smile,” which is still my favorite song of hers. In “Short and Sweet,” there was still a general sound, but each song felt complete and unique. The album consisted of a balance of both catchy pop songs and ballads.
It disappoints me to say this, but “Man’s Best Friend” feels like a rushed version of “Short and Sweet.” The production is over-synthesized and the lyricism is mediocre at best. It was missing the powerful ballads I loved from her previous albums. Instead, I was met with a collection of upbeat tracks that blurred together.
While it cannot be denied that Carpenter’s vocals shine in “Man’s Best Friend,” the album could use softer moments. Some of my favorite songs of hers are ballads, like “Dumb and Poetic” and “Lie to Girls” from the album “Short and Sweet,” which are beautiful and vulnerable songs. While I enjoy fun pop songs as much as the next teenage girl, I miss the emotional depth that ballads could have provided.
It’s true that Sabrina Carpenter does sarcastic lyrics like no other, it’s part of what makes her so fun to listen to. But after a few tracks of consistent innuendos and metaphors, I wished she would give us something else. The songs themselves are catchy and well done, but in the context of the whole album, nothing stands out. The lyrics only contribute to the blending of each track with the next.
While I did think the songs blend together, Carpenter does experiment with a different sound in parts of “Man’s Best Friend.” Since “Short and Sweet.” country has had an influence on Carpenter’s music. The song “Slim Pickins” and her collaboration with Dolly Parton on “Please Please Please” showcase instruments common in country music like acoustic guitar, banjo and fiddle. This trend continues in “Man’s Best Friend” with songs like “My Man On His Willpower” and “Go Go Juice.” This makes me wonder if a country album could be Carpenter’s next move, which I would love to see her try.
Despite these downfalls, the album has good moments. For example, “Nobody’s Son,” is fun and catchy, highlighting Carpenter’s ability to create pop songs that will succeed on social media and radio. “Sugar Talking” is also a vibe in a completely different way — it’s smooth and satisfying to listen to, and gives me a little bit of the R&B sound I wanted to hear in this album. After streaming “When Did You Get Hot,” there is no question in my mind why Carpenter has been on Broadway. Her vocals, especially live vocals, are impeccable and her stage presence makes her tours a memorable experience for fans.
Ultimately, “Man’s Best Friend” will likely appeal to pop lovers everywhere. While it didn’t match with my taste, Carpenter has curated an album destined for success on radio and social media, and that is an accomplishment in itself. If you are a fan of catchy, cheeky pop music, ‘Man’s Best Friend’ might be your next favorite album.
