Review: Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet (Deluxe)

Having had her biggest year yet, Sabrina Carpenter's album Short n' Sweet was one of the most listened to albums of 2024, winning two GRAMMYs for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for her song "Espresso." These tracks blended lively, bubblegum-pop lyrics with synths reminiscent of the 80s and mellow country tones, infused with Carpenter's cheeky humor. In celebration of her GRAMMY win, Sabrina announced the release of the deluxe version of Short n' Sweet, containing four new tracks and a heartfelt yet spirited version of "Please, Please, Please" featuring Dolly Parton. The five tracks enhance the listening experience of the album without straying from the original storyline Sabrina created. By adding new layers to the lipstick-stained, self-reflective masterpiece, Carpenter showcases her signature playful lyricism but also offers a candid glimpse into how her whirlwind rise to fame has shaped her storytelling.

As it happens to many artists, sometimes deluxe tracks don't fully match the story of their original album, which in Sabrina Carpenter's case, seems to be the total opposite. The five tracks appear as natural extensions, even appearing to be a continuation of the storyline of the masterwork, once again proving Sabrina's ability to craft a good aesthetic and even greater songs to go with it.

Despite having been in music entertainment for years, she received significant attention for her work only after her album emails i can't send, gaining traction with the release of songs like "feather," "Espresso" and "Please, Please, Please".

The deluxe portion of the album opens with an energetic 80s glitz-and-glam disco riff in her song "15 Minutes." The groovy bass and Sabrina's sultry, breathy vocals accompany the upbeat and exciting track into what seems to be another certified hit for the singer. The song doesn't lack any of Carpenter's raunchy yet witty lyricism, but there appears to be some commentary behind them. In fact, she plays with the concept of "fifteen minutes of fame" and how she feels like she has only a short amount of time until people will forget about her, or create some kind of controversy to cancel her.

"Where did all these parties come from? / Whеn did all you bitches get so nice? / Runnin' out of thе woodwork / And hopin' there's no brain between my eyes (My, my)"

It is a play on how people perceive her, with this blonde bombshell character she has created for herself. A lot of people sell Sabrina short (no pun intended) of what she knows about the industry, hoping to swindle her into sketchy deals and fake friendships. She reflects on the anxiety of her quick come-up to fame by turning it into quickly-timed comedic innuendos and jokes taken lightly about what she might do once her fifteen minutes are up and a new starlet takes her place.

Along with the announcement of the deluxe album, Sabrina Carpenter does not fall short on surprises as she collaborates with Dolly Parton on "Please, Please, Please." The 80s synths on the original track are substituted by guitars and banjos, stripping down and "country-ifying" the track to turn the song into a unified track for the two singers' styles, having Dolly appear to be almost handing over the reins to the country realm, which Sabrina has greatly explored throughout the production of Short n' Sweet.

The two voices intertwine nicely, with Parton’s harmonies complementing Carpenter's. Still, at times, the mix feels muddled, with their vocals occasionally getting lost beneath the backing track. While some online reactions have been critical of the remix, much of the negativity seems rooted in ageism, poking fun at Dolly’s iconic singing style rather than appreciating the collaboration for what it is. I believe there's nothing wrong with the way their voices sound. However, the vocal mixing is where the track misses its mark; what could have been the collaboration of the year ultimately falls short.

Sabrina Carpenter knows how to write a ballad, and with "Couldn't Make It Any Harder" she leaves you... confused. Many aspects of the song, from the instrumentals to the vocal style she adopts, are very reminiscent of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from Grease, a song she has performed many times while opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. However, despite the wistful melodies Carpenter masterfully belts out, the lyrics tell another story.

"But I couldn't make it/ Any harder to love me/ Your arms are reachin'/ And your eager heart is throbbing/ I know you're frustrated/ 'Cause I will not let you touch me/ You say you can take it/ But you don't know how hard I can make it"

The not-so-subtle wordplay lightens the mood on a song in which Carpenter bares herself to display her insecurities around being in a relationship. Even the witty innuendo on the chorus seems to tell that because of her very flirty stage persona, the men that she's trying to date expect only one thing from her, come to find out that what she wants is clearly different than what she portrays in her songs and during her concerts.

However, the most anticipated track on the album is a song that many had already heard featured on select exclusive vinyl editions of Short n' Sweet and occasionally performed as a surprise song on tour. "Busy Woman" is an incredibly charming and engaging song, and once again we see Sabrina's ability to not take herself too seriously. With lyrics like "I wouldn't let you come into my calendar any night", and "I'm flexible, so just tell me what you like/ Tantric yoga, baby, namaste" Carpenter makes fun of her situation by flipping the tables on modern dating standards. Laden with fun innuendos, contradictions, sarcasm, and once again, a fun 80s sparkling synth full of glitz and glam, Carpenter talks about being busy, but if needed, she'll make time for someone she's into.

"But if you need my love/ My clothes are off, I'm comin' over to your place/ And if you don't need my love/ Well, I didn't want your little bitch ass anyway"

There is a blend of sass and flirtatiousness throughout the song that pairs well with the shimmering synths and the "Oh hey"s sprinkled throughout the song. Carpenter sets her own rules in a relationship, creating an upbeat anthem of self-worth and independence and how she couldn't possibly let anyone who's not worth her time into her glamorous world.

If you were to look up 'Sabrina Carpenter Bad Reviews' now, it would only direct you to a page regarding the last song on the deluxe album. Intentional or not, "Bad Reviews" is a perfect closing to the Short n' Sweet era, mirroring the mellow ending of the original album with "Don't Smile". It blends elements of pop and country, providing a mirrored commentary of both her pop star persona related to the public's opinions of her music and performances, as well as her personal life regarding what many have had to say about the people she's dated.

While the deluxe leans heavily into pop, Sabrina effortlessly weaves in country influences. She seems to wield this country sound in a way that, for her, feels synonymous with vulnerability and authenticity, especially in tracks like "Slim Pickins" and "Bad Reviews." Carpenter sings:

"“I’ve heard all the bad news and the bad reviews / Couple bad gut feelings, well I’ve had them too, but / Still I choose to be in love with you.”

Even criticizing herself for being with a person she knows is not good for her. After the glamorous and exciting music in the deluxe segment, this song leaves you feeling contemplative. For an album released on Valentine's Day, it feels like a message from Sabrina Carpenter herself to re-evaluate our own relationships and perhaps not end up the way she portrays herself on the track.

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The cohesiveness of the tracks provides a solid story, giving us a continuation of the original work with an added flair of knowledge that maybe she didn't possess before. The surprising twist ending with a heartfelt ballad beautifully closes out the album and the era, making us look forward to whatever's next for our short and very sweet pop star.

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