4 Key Tracks from Sabrina Carpenter’s New Album ‘Short n’ Sweet’

Following the release of two colossal summer hits, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet finally arrived on August 23.

“Espresso” and “Please Please Please” preceded her sixth studio album and previewed the escapist pop that is Short n’ Sweet. If you enjoyed Carpenter’s grammar-bending “Espresso,” you’ll love how the former Disney star creates new metaphors for familiar themes.

The album’s running length lives up to its title, and across 36 minutes of music, Carpenter offers 12 tracks of witty and charmingly syntax-less earworms. Below are four key tracks you should not miss.

“Good Graces”

Carpenter channels pop icons Mariah Carey and TLC on the advising “Good Graces.” Over an airy R&B groove, she warns her man she’ll have little patience for him if he does something suspect. She cautions him not to mistake her sweetness for naivety. Otherwise, she’ll switch it up like that so fast. The threats continue in the second verse as Carpenter says she’ll dump him for his favorite athlete. Still, the musical mood feels like a breezy beach, and romantic intimidation never sounded so easy.

’Cause no one’s more amazing

At turning loving into hatred

“Taste”

“Taste” opens Short n’ Sweet with a combination of ’80s pop and glossy Americana. The opening verse references Carpenter’s height, which is shared in the album title. Carpenter explains to her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend that she’ll forever be a part of their rekindled relationship. The singer further twists the knife claiming she’s taught him all the things his current girlfriend now loves about him. Also, the gory music video echoes the dark comedy Death Becomes Her.

You’re wondering why half his clothes went missing

My body’s where they’re at

“Please Please Please”

“Espresso” may be Carpenter’s signature song, but “Please Please Please” became her first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. She recorded the smooth synth track with super-producer Jack Antonoff at Electric Lady Studios in New York. The flirty confidence of “Espresso” is replaced here with apprehension over a partner’s bad decisions. Carpenter ends the chorus with this pleading line: I beg you don’t embarrass me, mother f—-r. The music video is a mix of Natural Born Killers and Thelma & Louise, where Carpenter falls for the bad guy and even stands by his side while he robs a bank.

And everyone makes mistakes

But just don’t

“Espresso”

Carpenter’s addictive single became one of this year’s most ubiquitous songs—an early contender for Song of the Summer. On May 18, she performed “Espresso” on Saturday Night Live and her hit has been streamed more than 1 billion times on Spotify. Meanwhile, Carpenter told New Zealand radio DJ Zane Lowe she’s self-conscious when ordering a drink at a coffee shop, with the barista just waiting for her to utter the word “espresso.” Both the wit and dreamy vibe of “Espresso” embody the cooly detached sarcasm of Short n’ Sweet.

Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know

That’s that me espresso

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