Global singer-songwriter sensation Sabrina Carpenter first announced the release of her sixth studio album in June this year. Named ’Short n Sweet’ in reference to her briefest yet most impactful relationships, Carpenters worldwide awaited its release on 23rd August with eager anticipation.

At midnight local time, fans got a first listen to the 36 minutes of quick-witted lyrics and addictive melodies, revealing contrasting aspects of Sabrina’s romances. Debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, Short n Sweet has certainly left the taste of sweet success as Sabrina’s first number-one and top-ten album as well as best opening week so far.

Although a pop sound is predominant, Short n Sweet also displays elements of R&B, rock, and country music throughout. Sabrina creates an all-round listening experience, from acoustic guitars to traces of funk and disco, perfectly complementing her sharp and comical lyricism prevalent across all 12 songs:

1. Taste - 2:37
2. Please Please Please - 3:06
3. Good Graces - 3:05
4. Sharpest Tool - 3:38
5. Coincidence - 2:44
6. Bed Chem - 2:51
7. Espresso - 2:55
8. Dumb and Poetic - 2:13
9. Slim Pickins - 2:32
10. Juno - 3:43
11. Lie To Girls - 3:22
12. Don't Smile - 3:26

Image Credit: Adrian Korte from Unsplash

What a Coincidence?

Naturally, there's been much speculation as to who Sabrina took inspiration from when writing Short n Sweet. Barry Keoghan, Irish actor who starred in 2023 thriller Saltburn, has appeared at the forefront of the discussion. Rumours of his relationship with Sabrina were first sparked at the end of 2023 after a first encounter at a Givenchy show during London Fashion Week.

Fan theories reveal that ‘Juno’ and ‘Bed Chem’ revolve around her Academy Award-nominated boyfriend - the latter being Barry's ‘fave’ as written on his Instagram Story. Sabrina also starred Keoghan as a bad boy in the “Please Please Please” music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali and filmed in a single day. She highlighted that her casting decision was entirely impartial, based on genuine admiration for Barry's acting skills.

Another celebrity involved in the debate is fellow singer Shawn Mendes, with whom Sabrina was seen in January last year. Rumors bubbled that the two shared a brief fling, ending when Shawn reunited with Camila, rekindling their former romance. Many songs seem to reference the Canadian songwriter, particularly ‘Dumb and Poetic’, which takes a dig at Shawn's love for self-help books and his attempts to “come off soft and well-spoken”.

Although many seem convinced that the intentional hints throughout the entire album are not merely a “coincidence”, Sabrina has not clearly stated that the songs are about him. What's more, Shawn quickly denied dating Sabrina during an interview in March, and following this, they were never seen together publicly again.

Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema from Unsplash

Fresh n New

Short n Sweet has undoubtedly been Sabrina's most successful album of the six she's released. It debuted with over 300,000 units, more than 20 times that of her previous album ‘Emails I Can’t Send', released in 2022. It seems likely that her heightened success stems from the significant leap Sabrina has taken in her work.

Short n Sweet symbolizes a move away from the more predictable and decided pop genre of her previous music. The album skilfully blends genres - incorporating country, disco, rock, and R&B influences. The songs flaunt even catchier melodies than before, as any listener of ‘Espresso’ (Billboard's 2024 No.1 Global Song of the Summer) will concur.

Furthermore, Short n Sweet continues to demonstrate Sabrina's ample talent for wry and witty lyricism, a fan favourite element even more dominant in this album. Sabrina adeptly reveals vulnerability, meanwhile appreciating the lighthearted side of things with dry humour. “You told me the truth minus seven percent” from track 5 ‘Coincidence’, cleverly implies dishonesty from her partner, questioning the validity of their relationship.

On the other hand, “This boy doesn't even know the difference between ‘there,’ ‘their,’ and ‘they are…” is a playful yet caustic expression of disapproval, condemning the modern dating pool in the stripped-back country ballad ’Slim Pickins'. Finally, “We love to mistake butterflies for cardiac arrests” from ‘Lie To Girls’, uses a metaphor to present experiences of fellow hopeless romantics - fleeting feelings misconceived as deeper than they truly are.

Image Credit: Jan Kahánek from Unsplash

Too Sweet to Choose

Many Carpenters will agree that Short n Sweet is one of the very few albums where every single song is a repeatable gem. Needless to say, each track brings an engaging listening experience time and time again, so nominating my favourites was a challenging feat:

Don't Smile: It was, ironically, the first song I listened to from the album despite being last on the tracklist. The silky rolling piano immediately creates a chilled ambiance in the room. The laidback aura is soothing and almost hypnotic alongside the breezy repeating beats.

In my opinion, the calming sound is ideal for concluding the lively and forward album. The lyrics themselves “Don't smile because it happened baby, cry because it's over”, exemplify Sabrina's humour in wrapping up Short n Sweet.

Slim Pickins: This is a standout song amongst the album. The acoustic guitar beside Sabrina's authentic vocals automatically reminded me of Taylor Swift's early music and country roots. She performed the ballad at the Grammy Museum as an unreleased song, and having seen clips online I felt certain it would be a favourite.

Coincidence: The count followed by a sprightly guitar riff promptly sets the tone for Sabrina's spirited sarcasm. The lyricism here is one of the best examples of her facetious wordplay and understated jibes, used to criticise an unforeseen love triangle. The bridge is unquestionably the most memorable part “What a surprise, your phone just died/Your car drove itself from L.A. to her thighs” and parades a melody that will continue living rent-free in our minds.

Image Credit: Julian Myles from Unsplash

Why you gotta be so vicious?

Despite, Short n Sweet's overwhelming success, some have been left with a sour taste. Critics assert that the musical ideas are bland and characterless, accompanied by an empty and easily forgettable sound. Although Sabrina's talents as a vocalist are widely acknowledged, the songwriting itself seems to have underdelivered for some.

A proportion of listeners, albeit a small one, interpret Sabrina's bluntly honest lyricism as merely one of unhealthy spite. In response, I'd say: Short n Sweet is an album of makeups and breakups - one which casts hurt and disappointment in the most charmingly humorous of lights. Isn't that sweet? I guess so.