Sabrina Carpenter - Man’s Best Friend
As someone who is not too involved with the “pop scene”, there aren't many pop artists who catch my eye. However, as a long-term follower of Sabrina Carpenter, it always amazes me how she manages to keep churning out pop content that keeps our heads turning. Within such a saturated genre, it can be difficult to avoid putting out music that follows the “formula” created over the years for pop music. Especially within the LA music scene, however, Carpenter continues to prove to us that there is hope for pop music out there.
Honestly, when Carpenter announced the upcoming release of Man's Best Friend, I wasn't even really planning on giving it a listen. Sure, I am a fan, but it all felt a little too calculated given the (very recent) blow up sensation that was Short N’ Sweet. I was worried that Carpenter “jumped the shark” with this album, that it was just going to be a quick money grab now that she had become a mainstream pop sensation. However, I was quickly proven wrong upon my first listen. Man's Best Friend is unlike anything we’ve ever seen from Carpenter, which is why I must break the album down track-by-track…
Manchild
Starting off with the only single to come from this album, Manchild was our first glimpse into this new era for Carpenter. The song was sassy and ironic, telling Carpenters tales of woe about how every “manchild” came running to her, with a music video showing her jumping from man to man hoping to find “the one”. (Check out my single review of Manchild for a more detailed review!)
Tears
So far, this is the only other track on the album with a music video to go along with it. This was also the track that Carpenter debuted at the VMAs, with a performance featuring several drag queens and protest signs. The genius music video to go along with this track is a fantastic homage to Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it really introduces us to the meat and potatoes of this album. (I also have a review detailing the Tears VMA performance and music video!)
My Man On Willpower
This track is one of my favorites on the album, there is such a unique collection of sounds on this song that it really feels like a genre of its own. Carpenter has a real knack for meshing several sounds into an adventurous pop tune that we haven't heard before, which I think is a key to her secret to success. This track is an upbeat, synthesized guitar track that tells the tale of a relationship in a downward spiral. While the story may be relatable, as most of Carpenter's songs are, each song on this album has a touch of that classic Sabrina Carpenter irony that really makes us laugh in the face of our own misfortune. This track is definitely one of those “laugh through your tears” situations.
Sugar Talking
As one of the few slower songs on this album, Sugar Talking has a blues-y pop tone, and definitely carries a more serious demeanor. During the press promo for this album, Carpenter said that this album is best listened to in chronological order to follow along with the story she is trying to tell. Sugar Talking follows in the path of My Man on Willpower, detailing the stage of crawling back to each other after every breakup. There is an interesting tone in this track, and it's something we don't hear from Carpenter too often. This track sounds like you would hear it late at night in a jazz club, and it adds a perfect spice to the album. Man's Best Friend as an album has quite a bit of mixing genres and instruments giving a “little something for everyone” kind of vibe. Sugar Talking is definitely a track contributing to this factor.
We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night
In keeping with the theme of the storyline, this track tells the story of a relationship finally at its breaking point. Where you are really only hanging on for the sake of appearances and because it is comfortable. This track leans much more towards a soft ballad, showcasing Carpenter's fantastic vocal skills and range. I would say this track brings us back to the emails i cant send era with the ballads and a more tragic storyline.
Nobody's Son
Nobody's Son is by far my favorite track on the album, and I think a lot of other fans would agree. It's catchy, it's punchy, it brings us back to that classic Carpenter irony. This track continues our story post break up, where Carpenter states "there's nobody's son, not anyone left for me to believe in”. We’re out of our sorrows and back to our upbeat jams and laughing in the face of our misfortunes. I think the catchiest part of this song to not only myself, but a lot of the fans who favor this track, would be the iconic bridge. This track is definitely one of the most relatable jams on the album, and I think it’s opened up a whole new niche for Carpenter during her live shows, similar to her track Juno off Short N’ Sweet.
Never Getting Laid
This track is mellow and relaxed. This is another favorite track off the album for me, as it perfectly captures Carpenter's subtle satire within her music. This track continues our story by detailing the story of the end of a relationship, and the jealousy that can follow when you think about your ex meeting someone new. This slow jam feels like a song you would hear playing late at night at a bar, and has sort of a jazz-pop vibe. Not only is it a catchy tune, it’s a new take on Carpenters old tricks like Don't Smile and Dumb & Poetic.
When Did You Get Hot?
This track is the definition of “short and sweet”, with a run time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds, this electrified pop track is the shortest song on Man's Best Friend. This track is the most unique on the album to me. For (arguably) the most “unserious” song on the album, there are some truly rich vocals from Carpenter, and some great musicality. With the punching and prominent baseline accompanied by Carpenter's musical talent, this track is definitely one I would like to see live.
Go Go Juice
This track in particular really calls back to Short ‘N Sweet as an album. With a girly, country-pop vibe, we get to reminisce on tracks like Please Please Please feat. Dolly Parton, Coincidence and Slim Pickins. I have really loved all the genre mixing the Carpenter practices on her albums, but she has a certain knack for combining country tunes into some of her tracks that mesh masterfully. This track continues Carpenter's story by leading into a heartbroken, lonely period where you spend the nights getting drunks and calling your past lovers. This song is hilariously relatable, and the bridge makes for a great live performance and audience interaction.
Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry
This track marks the third and final slower track of the album. This track is a beautiful, acoustic and piano based, self-aware lament about knowing that you are going to mess with someone's head in a relationship, and keep them on their toes in the most negative way possible. While some of these tracks may seem at face value that they would be absolutely miserable to listen to, there is an element of community especially within Carpenters slower songs, that makes you feel not as alone. Carpenter truly has a way of conveying “if you think that's embarrassing, I guarantee I've done ten times worse” very (ironically) gracefully in her songs. This song really seems to tie off the album in a solemn, but self-aware way, as we head into the last two tracks. The vocals on this track are much more airy and light than we've seen throughout the rest of the album. That being said, it is far from boring or lackluster in its composition. It's refreshing to see Carpenter, once again, embracing every bit of vocal talent she has.
House Tour
This track is definitely within heavy competition with ‘When Did You Get Hot?’ for the most unserious song on the album. This track is the perfect sleepover dance song, and really captures Carpenters confidence and womanhood. Her innuendos and humor are perfectly accentuated within this track, and if you aren't listening hard and really digging deep, you might miss them. This is the second to last track on the album and truly captures her iconic pop vibes, while bringing in a little bit of early pop nostalgia that we are so desperately needing. The music behind the vocals is synthesized and bouncy, and the vocals are powerful and controlled, showcasing a lot of Carpenter's range. This song is the perfect, iconic pop star track to wrap up this album.
Goodbye
As is hinted in the title, Goodbye is the final track on Man's Best Friend. Trust me, it ends with a bang. This track is the perfect sendoff for an ex partner, and ex best friend, anyone really. While being very acoustic with a relatively simple musical structure, the lyricism and tonality of the chorus makes you want to roll your windows down and drive to this track. This song really encapsulates the entirety of the story of the album. There is an element of country, elements of pop and a bouncy jazz vibe. There is also a message of empowerment, and also being self-aware and laughing in the face of your own heartbreak in true Sabrina Carpenter fashion, knowing that you will be okay in the end.
Overall, I would say that I did not expect anything special from this album, but it turned out to be my favorite album Carpenter has ever released. I think that she has truly honed and harnessed a sound that she will keep around for a while. If Carpenter is able to continue churning out creative and innovative pop albums, she has a long, long career ahead of her! If you are able to see her album Man's Best Friend on the ‘Short ‘N Sweet Tour’, I would absolutely recommend it.