Sabrina Carpenter is back and sweeter than ever with the deluxe version of her Grammy Award-winning album Short n' Sweet. The 25-year-old artist has solidified her place in pop history, now a two-time Grammy winner, with Short n' Sweet taking home the prestigious awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Thanks to the caffeinated hit “Espresso,” she reached this milestone.
Anyone following pop culture in 2024 knows it was Sabrina Carpenter's year. She dominated the charts and streaming platforms with her sultry and catchy hits, including some of the most talked-about tracks of the year. "Espresso," the caffeinated anthem of the summer, marked a pivotal moment in her career, propelling her to newfound stardom. With songs like "Please Please Please" and "Taste," Sabrina confidently reinvented herself, stepping into a bold new era as pop’s reigning princess.
Although some may view Sabrina Carpenter’s career as an "overnight success," her journey has been anything but brief. With over 11 years in the industry and six studio albums, her path has been one of growth, perseverance, and raw authenticity. Before becoming a household name in music, Carpenter first captivated audiences as the witty and fearless Maya Hart on Girl Meets World on Disney Channel. Her acting success led to a record deal, launching her into music—a path that would shape her in ways she hadn’t imagined.
Her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send marked a profound shift in her artistic trajectory. It wasn’t just another album—it was a reintroduction of Sabrina Carpenter. She stepped away from the "teen hits" that defined her early career, embracing vulnerability and exploring themes like love, heartbreak, sexuality, and self-discovery with maturity. Emails I Can’t Send felt like a reinvention—not just of her artistry, but herself. Every lyric bore a piece of herself, showing a complexity fans had never seen before.
Tracks like "Because I Liked a Boy," "Nonsense," and "Feather"—her first song to hit one billion streams—marked a significant evolution in her sound, establishing her as a powerful force in music. With Short n' Sweet, her latest release, Carpenter continues refining this bold direction, building on the foundation laid in her previous work. The Sabrina we hear now isn’t just a product of her past; she has fully embraced her voice and is ready to share it unapologetically.
Short n' Sweet picks up where Emails I Can’t Send left off—continuing her path to self-empowerment, with her signature bold one-liners and sexual innuendos. Carpenter has truly come into her own, reminding us that growth isn’t linear—it’s messy, beautiful, and worth the ride.
The extended version of Short n’ Sweet gives us five new tracks that fit seamlessly into the sonic world Sabrina Carpenter has crafted. These bonus songs continue to highlight her perfect blend of '80s pop influences and poignant ballads, offering a fresh glimpse into her evolution as a pop star. With every note, Carpenter pushes further into her established "pop princess" persona while confidently looking to the future. These tracks mark an exciting chapter, offering a deeper look into the Bed Chem artist.
15 Minutes: In this song, Carpenter reflects on rising to fame too quickly in Hollywood, exploring her anxieties about the corruption in the industry and what happens when her “15 minutes” of fame are over. The track, heavily influenced by disco, is light, fun, and irresistibly catchy. With a cheeky innuendo about needing just two minutes to make her partner finish, the song feels like a playful victory lap, celebrating her Grammy wins and success over the past year.
Please Please Please (ft. Dolly Parton): Even before the album’s release, “Please Please Please” stood out as one of its finest tracks. It showcases Carpenter’s expanded songwriting skills and vocal versatility as she effortlessly navigates between pitches and tones, and the key change in the song heightens its energy and emotional resonance. The remix of the track strips down the production to a country sound, Dolly Parton’s voice blending perfectly with Carpenter’s. Their collaboration feels natural, reflecting their mutual admiration for each other. Fans, however, can't help but wish for a remix featuring both on “Slim Pickens,” another Dolly-inspired track from the album that would have showcased their combined magic.
Couldn’t Make It Any Harder: Sabrina Carpenter excels at heartfelt ballads, and this track is no exception. Here, she grapples with yearning for love while struggling to trust again due to past heartbreak. The track serves as a homage to the late Olivia Newton-John, specifically her iconic rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted to You," which Carpenter had previously covered during her live shows. The production, rich with sweeping strings, complements Carpenter’s voice, allowing her to shine and deliver a profound performance.
Busy Woman: This deluxe track is a thoughtful nod to her fans, as it was previously teased after the album’s original release and initially limited to an exclusive drop. The song depicts Carpenter’s desire to wait for a guy but emphasizes her full, busy life that can’t afford to pause for just one person. It’s playful, cheeky, and irresistibly fun, with a beat that’ll have you dancing in no time. The track exudes confidence, with Carpenter declaring, “If you don’t want me, I’ll just deem you gay,” showing off her sense of humor.
Bad Reviews: Closing out the deluxe edition is a poignant ballad that offers an intimate glimpse into Carpenter’s personal life. The song is a confessional narrative where she reflects on the red flags in a toxic relationship, acknowledging how she overlooked them in the name of love. She even touches on distancing herself from friends to protect her partner’s reputation. Near the end, Carpenter sings, "I choose to be in love with you," revealing a sense of resignation and vulnerability, as if daring anyone to question her decision to stay despite the growing troubles in the relationship. The emotional depth of the track lingers long after the song ends, leaving listeners wondering where this love might ultimately lead.
Together, these five tracks enhance Short n’ Sweet, offering more than just bonus material—they provide a deeper connection to Sabrina Carpenter’s evolution as an artist and a woman navigating fame, love, and personal growth.