Carpenter blends genres with mixed results
LAST year may have seen the rise of various new artistes, but its main star was arguably Sabrina Carpenter. With the release of Short N Sweet, the five-foot pop star dominated airwaves, winning over listeners with Espresso, Taste and Please Please Please.
Cheeky and risque in nature, the offerings shot her to pop stardom after years of stagnation. A year has since passed and Carpenter returns with her seventh album Man’s Best Friend. The release, as expected, has achieved commercial success.
The 26-year-old earned her second number one worldwide album, marking a career best for Carpenter. But the feat came with a new level of scrutiny for the songstress.
Capitalising controversy
The album’s cover alone drew criticism as Carpenter is seen kneeling on all fours with a sensual expression, while a man grabs her hair. Though she claims it to be feministic, others saw it as degrading to women as a whole.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the cover initiated a conversation for Carpenter. If anything, it showcases her wit as an artiste, proving there is depth and intention behind all the cheekiness and sensualness.
Carpenter is clearly opting for shock value, provoking for the sake of provocation, poking fun at certain troupes’ hypocritical views on dating and relationships.
Leave the blues away
The album’s production emulates this approach too. Carpenter does not hold her tongue back, as she sings openly about her encounters with men and their immature behaviours – from the lead single Manchild to the closing track Goodbye.
Standsout include Manchild, House Tour and Nobody’s Son. The tracks’ production and lyrical value are what one can expect from a high-profile pop star such as Carpenter – infectious, engaging and memorable.
The album’s ballads, however, were a bit of a disappointment. While it is wise of Carpenter to showcase range, ballads such as Sugar Talking and Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry do nothing for her artistry.
Unlike her previous ballads, such as Because I liked a Boy and Already Over, the ballads on the album lack soul and complexity. Most listeners will forget the song as soon as it reaches its outro.
Stick to one genre
Carpenter’s blending of genre on the album is to blame here. Similar to Short N Sweet, the songstress decided to experiment with pop, disco pop and country, infusing the genres throughout the 12 tracks.
With Manchild and Go Go Juice, Carpenter samples her love for country. In Tears and When Did You Get Hot?, she borrows influence from disco pop. Her decision to explore is admirable, yet it seems to have worked against her again.
With the exception of Manchild, Carpenter’s country samples seem inauthentic and out of place. Whereas, her pop pursuits fit her just right, complementing her voice, sarcasm and cheeky persona.
Return to pop
Hopefully, Carpenter realises this soon enough. After all, she is known for her “poppier” and upbeat offerings. It will be a waste if Carpenter refuses to fully lean into this musical direction.
Man’s Best Friend may have brought in the numbers, but the effort falls short in comparison to her previous projects musically. Carpenter may want to revisit her past projects, as she may just learn a thing or two from them.
