Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet: Critics give verdicts on new album

Opinions Vary On Sabrina Carpenter's Album

Short n' Sweet is the 25-year-old Carpenter's sixth album.

Bloggers who have reviewed the highly-anticipated new album from US pop star Sabrina Carpenter have compared it to "clever pop hidden beneath surface level appeal" on one end of the spectrum, while others have criticized it for lacking originality and authenticity.

Carpenter, 25, released her sixth album "Short n' Sweet" this year. The success of her hit single "Espresso" has quickly propelled her to stardom.

In a review rated four stars by music critic Victoria Segal of the Times, it was stated that the album may not reach the same level as Espresso in terms of its energetic and disorienting style, but Carpenter seems to prefer her songs to be similar to her coffee: brief and slightly harsh.

Many only skim through for a few minutes, giving her just enough time to switch between her main emotions of deep desire, dreamy melancholy, and angry resentment.

Segal wrote that Carpenter's music really shines on the tracks Coincidence and Slim Pickins, portraying her as a modern-day Dolly Parton for the Gen Z crowd. These songs, along with her popular singles Espresso and Please Please Please, showcase Carpenter's talent and versatility as an artist.

She has waited until the last minute to enjoy the summer, but despite the lighthearted appearance, Short n' Sweet indicates that Carpenter is here to stay for a while.

According to Helen Brown from The Independent, the album's future rests heavily on the success of its two lead singles.

"I am excited to share that there are more amazing moments on the album than just those catchy songs. The album smoothly transitions between TikTok pop, yacht rock, country, and R&B without losing its unique identity," she penned.

Brown gave a high rating to Taste, calling it a shiny example of FM rock. He also highlighted Coincidence as a modern twist on the classic sound of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, with Joni Mitchell joining in for a beachside jam session.

"The whole experience is wonderfully energized: Short n’ Sweet is bubbling with energy and excitement, with machinery grinding and powerful beats beneath the sleek, shiny exterior," she finished.

El Hunt from The Standard rated Short n' Sweet with three stars, describing it as upbeat and effortless, but lacking in courage.

She wrote that Carpenter's Short n' Sweet was not what was expected, as the song was different from the rest of the album. The album included a mix of twanging country, acoustic ballads similar to Taylor Swift, R&B like Ariana Grande, and 80s synth-pop.

Even though these songs are decent and can still be enjoyed, a lot of them end up feeling insignificant and unoriginal when compared to its most popular hit.

Clash's Ims Taylor acknowledged that the album overall is not consistent with her hit singles. These singles are described as "sultry, retro-inspired pop songs that solidify Carpenter's position as a pop sensation, captivating icon, dominating the charts and fans with unwavering confidence".

"However, Short n’ Sweet leans towards the gentle and heartfelt side instead."

Giving it a rating of seven out of 10, Taylor stated: "Carpenter is pouring her heart out in a sincere way: there's no fakeness or high goals, just the genuine, emotional, and intense thoughts that go through the mind of a 25-year-old woman in a complicated relationship."

She finished by saying that while "Short n' Sweet" may not be as catchy as its main song, or as emotional as its previous release, it still holds its own in Sabrina's collection of music. There is a chance that it could surprise you with its impact if you ever find yourself connecting to it.

In the i newspaper, Emily Bootle was not very generous, giving only two stars to an album that she described as mostly "completely forgettable".

"What Carpenter has in appealing appearances, she does not have in consistent musical quality," she stated.

"Being charming and sweet can only take you so far, and although Short and Sweet showcases her smooth high notes and sugary sweetness... it lacks any genuine substance or unique musical concepts."