Pop star Sabrina Carpenter released her “Short n’ Sweet Deluxe” album Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Ranked first in Billboard’s 200 charts, her popular album starting at 36 minutes is now 50 minutes long. The deluxe album features 17 songs, some with a little ode to Valentine’s Day and others to her failed relationships. Fan favorite “Please Please Please” now features Dolly Parton, in addition to four new songs titled “15 Minutes,” “Couldn’t Make it Any Harder,” “Busy Woman” and “Bad Reviews.”
Starting off with a classic, the new “Please Please Please,” featuring Dolly Parton, was a creative twist on the well-liked song. The background music now has more of a country vibe with a focus on drums and stringed instruments. This adjustment made it much different than the original but still remained true to its original roots with the familiar lyrics and tune. This song was a strong collaboration between Parton and Carpenter as Parton’s voice is featured on almost every part of the song. You first hear her voice in the intro of the song with some background vocals before supporting Carpenter’s voice in the first verse. You start to hear her voice come through even more during the chorus before most prominently shining through in the second verse. They both have wide vocal ranges which were showcased well in the higher parts of the song, like the verses. I would also say their voices complement each other well, which overall makes the song fun to listen to. I have yet to get into Parton’s style and music, so this version of “Please Please Please” will not outshine the original, but I think overall the song was put together well and many Parton and Carpenter fans would enjoy it.
One of the slower songs on the album is titled “Couldn’t Make it Any Harder.” Different from her lighthearted, shallow songs, this song has more meaning and depth behind it. Her lyrics leave you thinking and trying to pick apart what she might be talking about, like the struggles of not knowing what you are looking for in someone and therefore making life harder on them. This song almost immediately reminded me of the famous “Hopelessly Devoted to You” song from the 1978 film Grease, especially any time Carpenter held a note for a while. This song features a beautiful and simple guitar strum that reminds the listener of the beauty and power in simplicity. I would recommend this song to anyone who is looking for a slower, more complex song on her album.
“Busy Woman” is my personal favorite of the new additions. This is a fun-filled three-minute and six second-long song. The whole song gives off a sillier, lighthearted vibe which matches perfectly with the overall theme of the album. She portrays the duality of her personality with the ability to be available while holding to her values of self-love and confidence. The lyrics are simple, flirty and straightforward, “Yeah, I’m a busy woman I wouldn’t let you come into my calendar any night, but if you want my kisses I’ll be your perfect misses ‘til the day that one of us dies,” pretty much summing up the meaning behind the song. Her ability to be sarcastic yet seemingly dead serious reflects other songs on her album like “Taste” and “Good Graces.” Similar to those songs, the lyrics on her album are fairly surface level and it could be argued that the majority of her songs sound the same. Carpenter is a strong artist in that she still manages to diversify her album and make each of the songs somewhat unique. Even while lacking depth, this song has a really enjoyable energy to it and I can see myself listening to it often.
“15 minutes” is one of her most upbeat songs on the deluxe version. From the start, it reminds me of her song “Feather” from one of her previous albums because of the drum beat. Carpenter has been gifted in being a clever songwriter, known for throwing in little easter eggs here and there. One example of this is when she says, “I can do a lot in fifteen minutes,” a potential reference to the 15 minutes worth of music she added to her album in the deluxe version. I would recommend this pop song to anyone who enjoys summer because its upbeat music is certain to remind you of the bright days to come.
Carpenter is known for being a relatable singer, and “Bad Reviews” is a good example of that. This song features guitars and stringed instruments which together create a really beautiful base for her voice to stand out. Carpenter’s voice is best represented in slower songs because it allows her to really experiment with her range and what will make the song the most exciting to listen to. The song showcases the real-life struggle behind hearing the “Bad Reviews” about someone and still being interested. She sings, “I’ve heard all the bad news and bad reviews, a couple bad gut feelings, well, I’ve had them too but still I choose to be in love with you.” While touching on realistic subjects, the mellow song brings a carefree, easy-to-listen vibe combatting its melancholy feel. “Bad Reviews” is one of her shorter songs, coming in at a length of two minutes and 20 seconds, and staying true to her “Short n’ Sweet” theme. This song could be enjoyed by many but probably speaks most directly to anyone in high school or college. I really enjoyed this song and would recommend giving it a listen.
Overall, I really enjoyed the deluxe version of her album “Short n’ Sweet.” It’s a great mix of upbeat and slow songs that are all on theme with the original. I was lucky enough to attend her concert in Oct. and witnessed her incredible ability to put on a show and perform her music. I look forward to her future and can’t wait to see how she performs these new songs live. I would definitely recommend giving her new songs a listen if you were a fan of the original 12 songs.
“Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe):” ★★★★★
