Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album, ‘Man’s Best Friend’, is just as short and sweet as the previous one.. but a little bit dirtier (and I am not complaining).
When Sabrina Carpenter announced her new album, ‘Man’s Best Friend’, I was shocked. Not only was its release coming just over a year after her previous album, ‘Short & Sweet’, she had been working her butt off on a tour.
However, one of her closest friends and (seemingly) mentors is Taylor Swift, who can never take a break herself, so it should come as no surprise. If Taylor can write and record two albums while on The Eras Tour, Sabrina Carpenter can certainly write and record one during the Short & Sweet Tour.
The biggest worry was about the songs. Will they be polished enough? Catchy enough? Different enough? ‘Man’s Best Friend’ is another album that is on the shorter side, with twelve tracks, and Sabrina was going through a lot of personal things, so inspiration could certainly strike. Excited as I was for a new album, I just couldn’t see how any songs could replace the perfect ‘Short & Sweet’ tracks that play on repeat on my playlist.
Man’s Best Friend Initial Thoughts
Sabrina Carpenter, you dirty girl, you fooled me good. Taking a look at the tracklist and knowing that she had a recent heartbreak, I thought for sure this was going to be a sad album. She was sure to put her pop spin on it and with Jack Antonoff at her side, the songs would be catchy, but I thought it would devastate me.
Instead, I found myself giggling, my jaw dropping, and my mind thinking “Girl, how have you done it again?” as I made my way through the album. At the time of writing this, I have listened to ‘Man’s Best Friend’ all the way through five times, which I feel like is enough to form a solid opinion (although of course things could change the more it blesses my eardrums).
While it did feel very similar to me, sound-wise, when compared to ‘Short & Sweet’, Sabrina does seem to lean into that country twang just a little bit more. Her voice is angelic, with just enough rasp to keep things interesting. I have always been a fan of her music, so it is no surprise that every single one of these songs will be gracing my future playlists.
There are some sad songs, and she certainly addresses heartbreak and being lonely, but she also is unafraid to continue to lean into her dirty side. She is completely unafraid to be sexual, something I admire about her. I am not ashamed to admit that I took my twelve-year-old daughter to her previous concert, and we are looking into getting tickets for her return to Los Angeles. Sabrina might have a wild side, but don’t we all? That doesn’t make her someone who isn’t a good role model. In fact, I would argue quite the opposite. Shouldn’t we be teaching our daughters to be themselves and express themselves without worrying about what others think?
Overall, I am really enjoying ‘Man’s Best Friend’. It has a great variety of songs and Jack Antonoff’s production is on point (as always). The lyrics get a bit spicy, which I love. I cannot wait to see her perform these live.
Sabrina Carpenter ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Tracks Ranked
Ranking the tracks on ‘Man’s Best Friend’ proves more difficult than I might have thought because, honestly, for me this is a no skip album. Every song is one that I would love to see performed live, and have been enjoying listening to during a workout and singing along with in my car.
That said, if someone were to force me, this is how I would rank all twelve tracks, from worst to best.
12. Sugar Talking
11. When Did You Get Hot?
10. My Man on Willpower
9. Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry
8. House Tour
7. Go Go Juice
6. Never Getting Laid
5. Nobody’s Son
4. We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night
3. Tears
2. Goodbye
1. Manchild
Get your copy of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend.’