Sabrina Carpenter's Short N' Sweet is a Glorious Pop Album with an Irresistible Bite

Short N' Sweet is finally here, and without a doubt, the queen of delectable, tart, ear-candy pop is none other than Sabrina Carpenter. After nearly a decade in the music industry, Sabrina has burst like an overripe cherry to the very top of every chart imaginable with tracks from Short N' Sweet, her sixth studio album overall and second on Island Records. In the follow-up to her career-changing 2022 album Emails I Can't Send, Sabrina is more adventurous, more glitzy, and more brutally honest (if that's somehow possible). Short N' Sweet is dripping with sugary romance, complete with the bold bite that gives Sabrina Carpenter one of the best albums of the year.

Stand-out tracks: "Taste" "Espresso" "Bed Chem"

My Favorites: "Good Graces" "Don't Smile" "Juno"

Source: Island Records

"Taste" is that aforementioned bold bite. Right out of the gate, Sabrina makes it clear that she has no beef with her ex's rekindled romance, but she's certainly not one to allow someone else to get the last word. A pop-rock gem amidst an album of disco-pop and acoustic-pop, "Taste" is nonchalant and confessional as she belts out lines like "Well, I heard you're back together and if that's true/You'll just have to taste me when he's kissin' you" and "Hе's funny now, all his jokes hit different/Guеss who he learned that from?"

"Good Graces" and "Please Please Please" see Carpenter at her most sweetly ruthless, keeping her romantic partners in line with her angelic demeanor, but "don't mistake [her] nice for naive". She's singing out power plays on top of the most addictive and inventive production. A few of the best? (1)"If you wanna go and be stupid/Don't do it in front of me/If you don't wanna cry to my music/Don't make me hate you prolifically." (2)"I won't give a f*ck about you" (repeated x6). (3) "You should stay in my good graces/Or I'll switch it up like that so fast/'Cause no one's more amazin'/At turnin' lovin' into hatred." And the crown jewel? "Heartbreak is one thing/My egos another/I beg you don't embarrass me/Motherf*cker."

Some call it a skip, others (myself included) call Dolly-style country track "Slim Pickins" the glue that holds all the pieces of Short N' Sweet together. Layers upon layers of sugary-sweet vocal harmonies carry Carpenter through a facetiously woeful ode to the impossibility of finding "A boy who's nice that breathes." Its banjo-tinged production is the perfect complement to its honky-tonk inspired lyricism: "Since the good ones call their exes wasted/And since the Lord forgot my gay awakenin'/Then I'll just be here in the kitchen/Servin' up some moanin' and bitchin'."

The sparkling, flirtatious, R&B-influenced "Bed Chem" takes the cake for the most erotically-charged of Short N' Sweet's tracklisting, but amorous "Juno" is the album's standout (next to unofficial official Song of the Summer "Espresso"). A twinkling, 2000s-style (because yes, she is referencing that movie) classic pop gem, "Juno" has Sabrina finally having found the one who she might let "lock [her] down" and tell her "I'm the only only only only one." But, as Sabrina does, she reminds her new romance that this is completely on her terms - "You make me wanna make you fall in love."

But don't think that cheek and wit is all Sabrina Carpenter has going for her. "Dumb & Poetic" sees her just so mad she could cry over the most pretentious bonehead she's had the misfortune to fall for. "Don't Smile" illustrates the numbness of the laying-in-bed-eating-ice-cream type of heartbreak, watching the world move on without you. "Lie to Girls" is perhaps her most insightful, unromanticized perspective on relationships, as she sings about the ends of the Earth girls will go to just to hold on to something less than they deserve: "You don't even have to try/Turn you into a good guy/You don't have to lift a finger/It's lucky for you I'm just like/My mother and my sisters/All my friends."

What seems to make Sabrina Carpenter such a massive success is that she unabashedly embraces her womanhood, flaunts her faux pas, and still won’t shut up about how great her life is. She’s unafraid and unserious half the time but is so deeply confident in knowing what makes Sabrina Sabrina. That deep understanding of who she is as a person and an artist has allowed her to spin a narrative that’s all her own, one that's composed of glossed-over lyrical digs and shameless innuendos amidst the most stunning of vocal lines and punchy production in pop music. She's been working her decade-long career to have a hit album like Short N' Sweet, so what made this one The One? That it's the Sabrina-led revolution of female fortitude in pop music that other women seem to have been waiting to hear. 

AM I OBSESSED?

RATING: FULLY OBSESSED

5 Songs By Griff Your Playlist Needs

Her debut album Vertigo may still be hot off the press, but English singer-songwriter Griff has already made a name for herself. Since her debut EP The Mirror Talk in 2021, Griff has been named as the opening act for some massive artists. Maybe you’ve heard of some of them?: Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter – no big deal. Named the Rising Star at the 2021 Brit Awards, Griff is living up to that title. Here are 5 Griff songs your playlist needs to get to know The Next Big Thing in pop music.

Source: gettyimages.com Creator: Jo Hale Credit: Redferns

‘Vertigo’

The title track of Griff’s debut album is an electro-pop triumph. Its chorus is catchy and anthemic, as Griff’s light-yet-powerful vocals sing out, “You’re scared of heights, that’s vertigo/You wanted lights, go see a show/You ran away, that’s touch and go/You’re scared of love, well, aren’t we all?” Starry harmonies and atmospheric production top off this hit-waiting-to-happen.

‘Pillow In My Arms’

No track has been written more perfectly for heartbreak-induced bedroom dancing than Vertigo track ‘Pillow In My Arms.’ Synthy, groovy, and perfectly woeful, Griff belts out “And it won’t bring you back, love/And it won’t make it stop/But it’s all that I’ve got/So, damn it, I’ll hold it tight in my arms.” So whatever your heartbreak playlist is called, add this song to it.

‘One Night’

Despite being one of Griff’s earlier releases, ‘One Night’ is undoubtedly a dance-pop high that would easily attract the attention of a dance-pop queen like Dua Lipa. But Griff isn’t one to hit the clubs and let loose – Griff dances around her bedroom, trying to shake off self-doubt and the ghosts of her past. She sings: “Can I have one night, one night, one night/Where it’s just me alone?/Is it ’cause I’ve been feeling guilty all along?/Or is it the gods just tryna tell me to move on?”

‘Walk’

Described by Griff as a “platonic” love song, ‘Walk’ closed out her 2021 mixtape One Foot In Front Of The Other. This track is lighter in tone and production than many of Griff’s other music, as she sings about all the good things she sees in someone: “I can’t put my finger on it/It’s not just the way that you talk/’Cause there’s so much of you I adore.”

‘Tears for Fun’

Closing out the list is ‘Tears for Fun,’ one of Griff’s most cinematic and ambitious tracks to date. Channeling a sound reminiscent of the likes of Marina & The Diamonds, Griff’s harmonic vocals are glittering and majestic as they echo, “When it kills your heart but you can’t say no/When it burns you red but you won’t let go/The deepest cuts, well, they heal so slow/I hope they do, God, but what if they don’t?” The song’s haunting production and powerfully evocative lyrics blend to create a powerful anthem about the juxtapositions of vulnerability and resilience, melancholy and hope. 

What Griff songs did we miss that you have on your playlists?

5 Reasons Why You Should Stan Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini has been a standout artist in the country-pop genre since her debut in 2015, and her popularity has only grown over the last few years. And for a good reason! From her incredible songwriting and fearless allyship to her unwavering commitment to her art, Kelsea continually proves she’s more than just a musician. We’re big stans of her, so we’re breaking down our top 5 reasons why you should stan Kelsea Ballerini too!

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Her Songwriting

Kelsea Ballerini’s songwriting skill is undeniable, which makes her stand out as a star in the country-pop genre. From the reflective lead single from her 2020 album Kelsea, ‘Homecoming Queen?’ and gracious, vulnerable closer of 2022’s SUBJECT TO CHANGE ‘What I Have,’ to the vibrant, Grammy-nominated ‘HEARTFIRST’ and cheeky, honest ‘How Do I Do This’ from Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good), she has consistently showcased her ability to craft diverse, clever, bold, sincere songs that resonate with her growing and maturing audience.

Her Beauty, Inside and Out

Kelsea’s beauty is not just skin deep. Her glamor and sense of fashion are always stellar, from her stunning red carpet looks to her always-sparkly stage wear. Beyond her public image, she’s openly shared her journey with mental health through her book Feel Your Way Through, showing immense courage and empathy. Her willingness to share her journey helps destigmatize mental health issues and inspires others to embrace their emotional strength.

Her Fearlessness and Allyship

Kelsea is unafraid to take a stand. During the controversial Tennessee drag ban, she performed with drag queens at the 2023 CMT Awards. Her defiance and support for the LGBTQIA+ community showcased her bravery and commitment to inclusivity. Additionally, her candid interviews on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy post-divorce showcased her resilience and honesty by sharing her challenges and triumphs.

Her Integrity

In an industry where artists often switch labels for better deals, Kelsea Ballerini’s loyalty to her label, Black River, which signed her at 19, speaks volumes about her integrity. Despite her numerous achievements, including multiple Grammy nominations, headlining shows at Radio City Music Hall, and solidifying a role as a judge on The Voice, Kelsea has remained committed to the team that believed in her from the beginning. This loyalty is a testament to her character and the values she upholds. Her loyalty is also demonstrated by her decision to play her first headlining arena show at home in Knoxville, Tennessee.  These decisions highlight the importance Kelsea places on her beginnings.

Her Commitment to Her Art

Kelsea’s dedication to her music is evident in the boundaries she pushes for her artistry. She wrote and co-directed the Rolling Up the Welcome Mat short film, demonstrating that her artistic vision stretches beyond her songwriting and performance abilities. With six studio albums already released and another on the way, her prolific output over the nine years since her debut highlights her unwavering commitment to her music and the creative avenues that bring her music to life. This relentless drive to create and innovate ensures that Kelsea Ballerini remains a significant and influential figure in music.