After releasing her teaser single “Manchild” on June 5, Sabrina Carpenter built anticipation for her new album, “Man’s Best Friend,” which dropped on August 29. The 12-track record is a creative disco-pop album encompassing heavy-hitting themes about unsuccessful relationships.
“Manchild”
Listeners were given a sneak peek at the album with the initial release of “Manchild.” With catchy lyrics and an upbeat production style, the song quickly became popular on social media. The prechorus is particularly striking, where each word is followed by a cymbal, almost creating a comedic effect. It then transitions smoothly to the chorus, where Carpenter mixes in country riffs over a sweet-sounding melody. A highlight comes when she sings the lyric ‘Manchild,’ holding out a note in a run, showing off her vocal control. Although many critics argued that the song was too imitative of her past discography, it felt fresh and fun, setting the scene for what to expect from the rest of the album.
“When Did You Get Hot”
“When Did You Get Hot” deviates from the mainstream pop style of Carpenter’s last album, “Short n’ Sweet,” with an R&B-style beat and uniquely layered synths. The sounds are reminiscent of her older music, which is more produced and less country-esque. With sympathetic lyrics centering around Carpenter’s experiences with her ex-boyfriend, the song has quickly blown up on TikTok, becoming a beloved staple of the album. Its catchy chorus has taken the internet by storm, and for good reason.
“Sugar Talking”
An underrated highlight from the album is “Sugar Talking.” The song did not garner much attention due to its slower pace relative to the rest of the album, but it still shines through its clever lyrics and memorable chorus. Carpenter once again experiments with a smoother-sounding, ethereal synth in the song’s production, to a surprising but enjoyable effect. Her firm attitude towards not falling for a man’s sweet-talking resonates strongly through the song, an encouraging number with a critical theme.
Overall, the album “Man’s Best Friend” is a well-produced, cohesive album that weaves different genres of music together, making it a fun album to listen to. Every piece has something different to offer, whether that be a different lyrical theme or musical style. It bridges away from the recurring pop themes of her past releases, leaving listeners eager to hear her next works.
