When I was lying on Australia’s beautiful beaches without a care in the world, I had “Espresso” on repeat. Sabrina Carpenter also released “Please, Please, Please” while I was in the land down under, and it was quickly added to my daily rotation. 

I can’t say I was overly excited when I heard that Carpenter had a new album in the works, and I didn’t even listen to it the first day it came out. But when I started seeing TikToks backed by some of her new music, I decided to give it a chance.

“Man’s Best Friend” is Carpenter’s seventh studio album and was released on August 29. 

After listening to the album, I will say that it does have a very similar sound to her previous one, “Short and Sweet.” However, I would argue that the similarities are a part of her signature sound. Both albums have a playful pop sound with influences from 70s disco, which I really enjoy. 

Lyrically, both albums employ comedic jabs and strategic wordplay to express Carpenter’s love life. While “Short and Sweet” explores the impact of short-lived relationships, “Man’s Best Friend” has a stronger focus on Carpenter’s disappointing experiences with men.

“Man’s Best Friend” fittingly opens with the song “Manchild,” where Carpenter humorously criticizes an ex-boyfriend by comparing him to a child. She also questions why men who exhibit immature tendencies constantly pursue her in the chorus with the lyrics, “Manchild / Why you always come running / Taking all my loving from me?”

“Sugar Talking” is the fourth song on the album and my personal favorite. In this song, Carpenter expresses her frustrations with a partner whose actions fall short of their words. In the chorus of the song, Carpenter alters the popular phrase, “Put your money where your mouth is,” and instead sings, “Put your loving where you mouth is,” to express that she’s done with her lover’s empty promises. 

The final song of the album, “Goodbye,” reminds me of an ABBA song in the best way possible. Lyrically, the song serves as Carpenter’s final goodbye to an ex who is trying to get her back. During the chorus of the song, she sings, “Can’t call it love then call it quits / Can’t shoot me down then shoot the shit,” asserting that her decision is final. 

“Man’s Best Friend” is another great example Carpenter’s flair for employing satire and double entendres to create a catchy, relatable song. If you have ever felt disappointed by a man, which I’m fairly certain most women have, then I’d highly recommend giving “Man’s Best Friend” a listen. 

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