Welcome back to our album review for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n Sweet album.
Espresso
This was the kind of blockbuster hit that sent the media into a frenzy. This song was everywhere during the summer—literally everywhere. I don’t think I have gone out since its release without hearing it playing somewhere. Even in my head, it plays on a loop. That one line—I’m working late because I’m a singer—is stuck in my dad’s head, and my mom knows it too. Everybody knows this song.
She released it at the perfect time, right at the beginning of summer, which was a power move because it instantly became one of the season’s defining anthems. Rightfully so. The song hits you with its chorus rather than easing in with a verse, and that’s what makes it so infectious. You can dance to it, the lyrics are catchy and easy to remember, and it’s the perfect pop hit. Sure, it can get a little redundant after a while, but you can’t deny it makes you want to move.
Espresso is that girl. It took the world by storm. Placing this song in the middle of the album was also a genius move. Sometimes when you’re listening to an album all the way through, the energy can dip, but Espresso jolts it right back up—just like the name suggests. It picks up the tempo right after Bed Chem, which is slower and more sultry, so the placement is strategic. This song is a shot of energy in the middle of the album, and I love it for that.
Dumb & Poetic
Following Espresso, Dumb & Poetic slows things down again. As much as this album is full of upbeat, glittering pop songs, this track reminds you that heartbreak is still a recurring theme.
To me, the message of this song is about trying so hard to break through to someone who just won’t let you in. They put themselves on a pedestal so high that you realize they’re never coming down. The only option left is to walk away.
It also feels like a moment of self-reflection. Maybe my type shouldn’t be my type. That realization of I shouldn’t want you, but I do is so painfully relatable. So many people have been in that exact situation, and that’s why this song resonates deeply. It’s beautifully written, and it’s one of those songs that sneaks up on you emotionally.
Slim Pickins
If I had this song when I was 16 or 17, my life would have been changed. Now, being in a healthy relationship, I look back and think about how much this song would have wrecked me back in the day.
Slim Pickins is a reflection on dating in today’s world. It’s hard to find people with good intentions, and especially as a woman, you never know if someone is playing you. The dating scene feels like a desert, and this song captures that feeling perfectly. The line, It’s slim pickins, if I can’t have the one I love, I guess it’s you I’ll be kissing, is so simple yet so incredibly real. People settle for the love they think they deserve, even if it’s not what they truly want or need.
In my own life, I made the conscious decision not to settle, and I’m so grateful for that now. But hearing this song brings back memories of times when I did, and it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they were scraping the bottom of the barrel in the dating world. This song is such a moment.
Juno
I did not expect this to be my favourite song off the album. At first, I wasn’t into it, but after giving it another shot—especially live—it became an instant favourite.
The hidden innuendo lines are genius, and the way she references the early 2000s movie Juno is so smart. When I first played this song for my sister, she didn’t get the reference. When I explained it—You know, the movie where the awkward girl gets pregnant by the awkward uhhh Michael Cera guy?—she was like omg no way and I was like see her brain chemistry was definitely altered in that moment.
The internet trends that came out of this song are hilarious, and Sabrina played into it perfectly during her tour. She’s known for adding witty ad-libs to her performances, and this song was no exception. The way she engages with her audience is on another level, and it’s one of the reasons I adore her as a performer. She’s so creative in how she keeps fans involved, and Juno is a testament to that.
Lie to Girls
This song slows things down again and leans into R&B influences. The message? Devastatingly real.
The chorus, You don’t have to lie to girls. If they like you, they’ll just lie to themselves, is a gut punch. It’s so true, and it perfectly encapsulates how people ignore red flags when they’re infatuated with someone. We build people up in our heads, put them on pedestals, and justify their bad behaviour. It’s painful, but it’s something almost everyone has experienced.
This song is raw, vulnerable, and honest. It’s one of the most emotional moments on the album, and I love it for that.
Don’t Smile
We end the album with Don’t Smile, and it is everything. It’s my second favorite song on the album, and for good reason. It has an R&B influence, and its groove is undeniable.
The song’s message is powerful: Don’t smile because it happened, baby. Cry because it’s over. It’s not about Sabrina’s feelings—it’s about his. She’s saying, You should be crying over losing me. And honestly? Yes.
Everyone has someone in their past they secretly hope regrets losing them. Whether it’s an ex, a former crush, or even a past friendship, we all want to believe we left a lasting impact. This song embodies that feeling perfectly.
At the concert, the crowd screamed this song at the top of their lungs, and I felt so validated knowing I wasn’t the only one who related to it this deeply.
Final Thoughts
And that wraps up our Short n Sweet album review!
This album was something special. It set Sabrina apart from the competition and proved she’s a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Seeing her rise from her Disney days to where she is now makes me so proud. I’ve been following her career for years, and witnessing this level of success is so rewarding. And now at an older age I can appreciate it more too. From singing “Can’t Blame a Girl For Trying” at age 11 to now screaming out “Good Graces” at age 20 it’s just so iconic to me.
She took the music world by storm with this album, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.