With a new album cover and five new songs Sabrina Carpenter is back to make your February a little sweeter with a deluxe version of her hit Album “Short n’ Sweet”. The album was released just this Valentines day as a “thank you” gift to fans for the artist’s first two Grammy wins.
The initial release was a pop album seamlessly infused with Country, Folk, R&B, and Disco influences. “Short n’ Sweet” explored her love life throughout the 2020’s and how her shortest relationships were sometimes the ones that impacted her most, as well as touching on her journey, and her rapid rise to fame.
15 Minutes
The deluxe album picks up with “15 minutes”, a song that seems to reference both the infamous expression “15 minutes of fame”, and the combined run-time of her newest bonus tracks. The song features the singer’s signature humor with sharp lyrics that talk about the fleeting nature of fame and the fickleness of the industry. As well as reflecting upon Carpenter’s growth and her time in the spotlight. It’s full of confidence and is unapologetic and shows the artist’s resilience and strive to flourish.
Please Please Please
The second of the bonus songs and one of the most talked about is the “Please, Please, Please” remix featuring Country Icon Dolly Parton. The remix is one of the tracks that leans more into a traditional country sound that is more synonymous with Dolly. Whose twangy vocals added a new twist to the original version and was much anticipated.
Couldn’t Make it Any Harder
Then there is track 15 “Couldn’t Make it Any Harder” which has Sabrina showcasing a softer side of herself. The lyrics are intimate and raw and the production feels reminiscent of “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. The vocals are delicate and bitterly sweet and the simplicity of the instrumental really allows for them to take stage. A combination that makes for a moving song.
Busy Woman
Track 16 is “Busy Woman”, a song that was previously released as a bonus track on a limited edition digital release titled “Short n’ Sweeter”. The song is sarcastically confident in a “fake it till you make it” way and is full of cheeky double entendres (which the artist seems to have a clever talent for). On brand for Sabrina the song is self aware and seemingly pokes fun at how she is “Mature and sensible” until “hit with rejection”. It’s bold and fun with a more disco touch and the lyrics cleverly explore themes of independence, ambition, and the desire for romance.
Bad Reviews
“Bad reviews” is the 17th track and serves as the perfect closing to the album. With a more folky inspired sound, sparse instrumentals, and fragile yet soothing vocals the song is one of my favorites. It’s melancholic and almost theatrical in its buildup. The lyrics are sincere and heartfelt and the choice to let Carpenter’s vocals shine serves to help the song leave a lasting impression.
Overall the deluxe album seems to be a fluid progression from the initial release. It manages to take on all of the sounds of the album and still hold together cohesively. Exploring heartbreak and humor with catchy lyrics and playful songs and manages to be both brutally and vulnerably honest. Making for a sequel that is equally sassy, witty, and effortlessly charming.
