Sabrina Carpenter is as clever as always with her suggestive lyricism but noticeably more self-aware in her latest album Man’s Best Friend.
Man’s Best Friend’s journey began back in June of this year, when Carpenter released the album’s first and only single “Manchild.” Less than a week later, she had already announced the album title, release date, and—most controversially—the artwork for its cover.
Depicted on the cover is Carpenter on her hands and knees with a man pictured standing beside her. Although his face and most of his body are out of frame, his hand holds the singer’s hair like a leash. Drawing from the album title, it can be assumed that she is further playing into the idea of comparing herself to a dog. The issue that people found with such an image was that they felt Carpenter was catering to the “male gaze” by sexually objectifying herself and portraying herself as a submissive woman. Many fans were upset as the singer is often praised for the way she usually conveys the opposite ideals in her lyrics and music videos, which typically center on taking down toxic men (see “Feather,” “Please Please Please,” and so on).
Naturally, some disagreed with the notion that she had done anything wrong and thought that Carpenter’s intended message was being harshly misconstrued. Believing the cover art was a work of satire, they thought it was purposefully depicting the unfortunate way society views women. Others further argued that it was a portrayal of how Carpenter felt in her most recent relationships, given how the album is packed with cutting break-up songs.
Released on August 29, a year after Short n’ Sweet nearly to the exact day, Man’s Best Friend is 12 tracks worth of relatable lyrics in the style of synth-pop. “Manchild,” as the album’s opener, describes how the singer’s poor taste in men has once again left her disappointed by an immature, “incompetent” man. She defends herself with the lyric, “I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them.”
Elsewhere on the album, “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” details what comes off as an undeniably toxic relationship where she and her partner are constantly on the verge of ending things with each other. Each time they almost do, they change their minds yet again. The line “Least we’ll give them something to talk about” breaks the fourth wall by seemingly referring to how as a celebrity, the public eye views her bad luck in love as nothing more than a new topic of conversation.
In “Nobody’s Son,” Carpenter finds herself hopeless, believing that she will never find an honest man to fall in love with. The loneliness she feels due to all of her other friends already being in love is finally starting to get to her, and she is long over it. The creative bridge takes a turn by being addressed to her ex-boyfriend’s mom, as Carpenter sings, “That boy is corrupt / Get PTSD on the daily” then adding “and yes I’m talking ’bout your baby.” It is a shameless confrontation that might just provide the exact closure she needs to get over this clearly traumatizing man.
Although filled with talent, Man’s Best Friend is arguably lacking in a lyrical sense compared to some of her other recent works. While this certainly does not apply to every song on the album, some lyrics such as that of “Tears” and “When Did You Get Hot?” were mildly disappointing, not for their lack of seriousness, but rather for their poor execution and lyrics that lacked real substance.
Nonetheless, Man’s Best Friend is yet another display of Carpenter’s undeniable talent. Fans are impressed by her work overall and are enjoying more of what they love from the “Espresso” songstress. Her loyal listeners now patiently wait in hopes of the announcement of an upcoming tour.
