If there’s one thing Sabrina Carpenter knows how to do, it’s romanticize heartbreak and lousy men. Her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend,” consists of 12 songs that do just that, with a side of revenge. “Man’s Best Friend” was released on Aug. 29 and was written by Carpenter, Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and John Ryan. The “Tears” music video was released at the same time as the album.
Carpenter released her single “Manchild” earlier this year on June 5, accurately previewing the theme of “Man’s Best Friend.” The album will make you want to laugh, cry and scream all at the same time. Some can relate to the hair-pulling, eye-rolling experience that it is dealing with, as Carpenter would say, a manchild. “Man’s Best Friend” encapsulates this feeling in snide, painstakingly raw lyrics, wrapped in a pretty bow by her vocals and an upbeat track.
Track 3, “My Man on Willpower,” is a song for when you’re desperately trying to rekindle the spark in the relationship, to get one more kiss, one more compliment — as if it will fix everything. Track 8 “When Did You Get Hot?” is contagiously catchy with its 90s-inspired beat and cheeky lyrics, such as “Sorry, I did not see the vision / Thank the Lord, the fine you has risen.” “GoGo Juice” is the only song on the album that dips into a twangy sound. This playful energy embodies the part of girlhood that is having fun with your friends and becoming a liability by calling people you know you shouldn’t. Track 12, “Goodbye,” ends the album by calling out persistent men in many languages, a wonderfully cathartic farewell.
The album cover, featuring Carpenter on hands and knees with her hair grasped firmly by the hand of an anonymous man, sparked immediate backlash when the album was first announced. Many thought that Carpenter sent women back decades with the submissive manner of the photo. Carpenter responded by releasing alternate covers that were “approved by God.”
In an interview with CBS, Carpenter said that the cover of “Man’s Best Friend” represents “being in on your lack of control and when you want to be in control (in a relationship). I think, when you’re a young woman, you’re just as aware of when you’re in control as when you’re not. For me, this whole album was about the humanity of allowing yourself to make those mistakes, knowing when you’re putting yourself in a situation that will probably end up poorly. But it’s gonna teach you something.”
One overarching component of Carpenter’s brand is her talent for making heartbreak humorous. This is especially clear in “Man’s Best Friend” as her sarcastic, witty jokes go hand in hand with her coy smile. Carpenter’s lyrics show that any woman can come out on top even though they’ve been hurt. Whether it be a coping mechanism or a brilliant way to preserve self-confidence, reminding yourself that you are more than just your body and a man’s subpar treatment of you is a great lesson for women, especially those navigating their first relationship. No matter what happens, Carpenter wants her fans to know better than all the sugar talking.
Edited by Ainsley Bryson | [email protected]
Copy edited by Grace Morgan and Emma Harper | [email protected]
Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]
