Sabrina goes down on her hands and knees to sell new album Man’s Best Friend. Is it worth it? Music critic Adrian Thrills ponders the question

by

SABRINA CARPENTER: Man’s Best Friend (Island)

Verdict: Sabrina sticks to the formula

Sabrina Carpenter follows in the footsteps of other Disney Channel alumnae, such as Miley Cyrus and Olivia Rodrigo, who transformed their family-friendly backgrounds into edgier music careers – with Cyrus becoming a rebel in bad-girl country-pop and Rodrigo morphing into a confessional rock star.

A carpenter, who gained fame from the teen comedy “Girl Meets World”, started his career by releasing a series of bubblegum pop albums following Disney’s guidance. However, in 2022, he took a bold step with the album “Emails I Can’t Send” and took it another level with last year’s “Short n’ Sweet”, an explicit album that gained popularity with the hit singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”.

On her seventh album, titled “Man’s Best Friend,” there’s even more to captivate listeners. Building upon the foundation laid by her previous release, “Short n’ Sweet,” this album incorporates additional suggestive themes, explicit language, and direct lyrics that are easy to understand, as she offers sharp observations about dating. The musical style is a fusion of disco, R&B, country, and pop with influences from ABBA.

The 26-year-old carpenter, known for her outspoken nature, stated that the upcoming record might not appeal to those who are easily shocked. In June, she stirred up controversy by unveiling an album cover featuring herself in a submissive position, kneeling in a black mini dress with her hair being grabbed by a man in a suit, whose face was hidden. Some viewers found this image disrespectful towards women, while others perceived it as satire. Regardless, the provocative cover caused quite a stir, reminiscent of the media frenzies created by Madonna during her prime years. Since then, Sabrina has released three different album covers that are less controversial.

In simpler terms, the lyrics are quite suggestive and humorous, with sexual innuendos. On “House Tour”, she sings about wanting someone to arrive but not use a secret entrance. Later, on “When Did You Get Hot?”, she playfully mentions an old friend having a lightning rod that’s larger than Zeus’s, another sexual reference. Her lyrics can sometimes feel repetitive, but it seems like she’s delivering them with a wink and a nod, much like a character in a British theater comedy.

Regarding the music, it offers some catchy pop tunes, but there’s a hint of doubt that her frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff might be stretching himself too thin. He has been involved in producing albums for Lana Del Rey, Gracie Abrams, and Taylor Swift over the past two years, all while leading his own retro-pop band, Bleachers.

The album kicks off robustly, featuring Sabrina’s wit prominently as she satirically mocks a clueless male fan on Manchild. She questions, with a hint of sarcasm, “Why so attractive if so unintelligent?” and ponders, “How have you managed to survive for this long?

In other places, My Man of Determination seems lacking in musical depth, while Nobody’s Child attempts an Abba-like sound, yet shares more similarities with Sweden’s own Ace of Base.

As I reflected on my artistic journey in February, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the legendary Dolly Parton on a reimagined rendition of “Please Please Please,” set for release in 2024. The highlights of this project showcase my return to country music, a genre that holds a special place in my heart.

In terms of the musical offerings themselves, “Sugar Talking” is an emotive ballad, though it may be slightly sweetened by its syrupy undertones. On the other hand, “Go Go Juice” presents itself as a clever ode to alcohol’s role as a social catalyst – a topic that feels particularly relevant given my recent partnership with Johnnie Walker, where I have been unveiled as their newest brand ambassador for Scottish whisky.

Approximately a year following Short n’ Sweet, Man’s Best Friend showcases Carpenter continuing in her signature style, though not quite reaching the level of impact as 2024’s Espresso. However, her collaboration on Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl album title track and this latest release further solidify her progress towards becoming a superstar, with no signs of slowing down.

 

SUEDE: Antidepressants (BMG)

Verdict: Swaggering return

At London’s Southbank Centre last month, Suede’s lead singer Brett Anderson declared that his band, known for their Britpop era, is an “anti-nostalgia” group. True to his words, on their new album Antidepressants, they refrain from capitalizing on nostalgia as a strategy, following up from 2022’s Autofiction. Despite being veterans, Suede exude the energetic fervor of a band much younger in age.

Initially, this forthcoming release was intended as a grand concept album. Following their tour in support of Autofiction, Anderson and his bandmates envisioned collaborating with a ballet company to create a piece of performance art. However, after the thrill of resuming live performances post-pandemic, they decided to pivot towards crafting an album filled with energetic rock music instead.

The outcomes exhibit a delightfully lively radiance. Titled after The Cure’s 1989 album “Disintegration,” this upbeat guitar anthem explores embracing one’s own mortality as a positive experience. In a similar vein, “Dancing With The Europeans” – a track inspired by the band’s connection with their Spanish audience during a concert – celebrates the power of live performances and fan interaction.

“Sweet Kid,” with its steady fast pace, primarily focuses on Brett’s bond with his 12-year-old son. On the other hand, “The Sound And The Summer” is reminiscent of a thrilling escape similar to that portrayed in Thelma & Louise.

The first ballad on the album doesn’t appear until track 10, and that’s the partially spoken “June Rain”. Afterward, we encounter an appropriately grand conclusion with “Life Is Endless, Life Is A Moment”.

According to Anderson, we became determined and ended up altering our initial plan significantly. In essence, we crafted a completely new album. Suede isn’t merely an artistic endeavor; it’s a band with its roots in rock music. Occasionally, we might wander into those realms, like creating a ballet album… but ultimately, we always revert to our core as a rock band.

Suede will carry on with their residency at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on September 13. Their UK tour commences on January 30, 2026, at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. For more details, visit suede.co.uk.

Read More

2025-09-04 21:34