Singer, songwriter and style icon Sabrina Carpenter has grown in popularity tremendously this past year. The “Espresso” singer was a staple on the silver screen for her role on Disney Channel’s “Girl Meets World,” but it was her breakout fifth album “emails i can’t send” that propelled her to stardom in 2022. She always produces addicting music, hooking listeners in from the second they hit play. 

Carpenter released her highly anticipated sixth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet,” on August 23. The album skyrocketed to the top of the charts within a few days of its release.

Before the album’s release, Carpenter teased the album with two singles — “Espresso” and later “Please, Please, Please” — each with an accompanying music video. 

Carpenter worked with many familiar songwriters and producers as “emails i can’t send” while also bringing in new ones, notably Bleachers lead singer Jack Antonoff, who has worked with pop artists such as Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. 

A tribute to both past and present relationships, namely her current one with Irish actor Barry Keoghan, the album is full of relatable and entertaining songs that appeal to a wide range of listeners. However, Carpenter seemed to struggle to find her voice in “Short n’ Sweet,” which lacked some of the originality present in “emails i can’t send.” Below is the Black & White’s ranking of every “Short n’ Sweet” song from worst to best. 

12.“Don’t Smile” (5/10)

“Don’t Smile” is a slow, weak finish to the album with a repetitive chorus that doesn’t stand apart from the rest of Carpenter’s discography. Carpenter twists the popular catchphrase, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” by singing her own play on words “Don’t smile because it happened, baby, cry because it’s over.” The song tunes down her vocals and features subtle piano melodies and electronic keyboard sounds, giving the song a light 80’s pop sound.  

Best Lyric: “It’s fallin’ faster than the way you love to shut me down.”

11.“Bed Chem” (6/10)

In “Bed Chem,” Carpenter employs her soft voice to create a sexy, smooth sound, taking inspiration from classic R&B melodies. In an interview with Paper Magazine, the singer explained that her goal was to make a very “unserious” song given the obscenity of the lyrics. Some fans on social media applauded her witty lyrics, while others felt the song was shallow with excessive adult references.

Best Lyric: “And I bet we’d both arrive at the same time,” / “And I bet the thermostat’s set at six-nine.”

10.“Sharpest Tool” (6.5/10)

Unfortunately, “Sharpest Tool” doesn’t provide any much-needed energy to the album. It opens with a forgettable first verse and choppy lyrics. The pre-chorus builds promisingly as Carpenter starts singing faster and louder, making the tiresome chorus an immediate let-down. The refrain holds promise with a catchier tune that’s much more seamless than the rest of the song. 

Best Lyric: “Left me with a lot of sh*t to second-guess.” 

9.“Coincidence” (7/10)

Carpenter starts the song off strong by diving into the idea of “the other woman” and cheating in a relationship. She sings about the irony of how her boyfriend’s ex who “looks kinda like the girl you outgrew” immediately comes back into the picture the moment Carpenter’s relationship starts progressing. The shouting of “1, 2, 3, 4” at the beginning of the song and added whispers in the second verse make the song stand out on the album. She mixes acoustic guitar with her layered vocals, creating an edgy, dynamic sound. 

Best Lyrics: “Now her name comes up once, then it comes up twice” / “And without her even bein’ here, she’s back in your life”

8.“Juno” (7/10)

This song references the 2007 rom-com “Juno,” where teenage girl Juno MacGuff, played by Elliot Page, becomes pregnant. In the track, Carpenter sings that if her boyfriend treats her right, she would be willing to carry his child. The song perfectly combines acoustic and electric elements and contains raunchy and suggestive lyrics about Carpenter’s sexual relations, shocking fans. The chorus is snappy and playful, contrasting with the slower bridge. 

Best Lyric: “One of me is cute, but two though?”

7.“Lie To Girls” (7.5/10)

“Lie to Girls” is another slower song that puts Carpenter’s vocals front and center. She sings about the relatable experience of refusing to see the “ugly truth” about someone and allowing strong romantic feelings to fabricate an idealized version of her lover. “Lie to Girls” starts with soft acoustic guitar and a raw melody, but as the song develops, Carpenter and Antonoff add ethereal synths to introduce a feeling of depth. The song is a perfect example of Carpenter’s skills in writing something that can appeal to all crowds. 

Best Lyric: “Yeah, I can make a shitshow look a whole lot like forever and ever.”

6.“Espresso” (8/10)

Carpenter references the addictive shot of strong coffee throughout the song, claiming that she has an “espresso” effect on men and can make them obsessed. In an interview with Apple Music, the artist revealed the song is full of “great energy” that’s intended to lift people’s spirits. “Espresso” opens with a retro synth and guitar and is memorable because of its funky bass line and repetitive lyrics. The song was a smashing success, quickly climbing the US Hot 100 charts and staying at number one for five consecutive weeks.

Best Lyric: “When they act this way, I know I got ‘em.”

5.“Good Graces” (8/10)

With a similar feeling to “Please, Please, Please,” “Good Graces” is a light and airy song in which Carpenter warns her lover to stay on her good side. It’s sassy, polished and consistent with the rest of the album. Some fans on TikTok have gone as far as to refer to the singer as the new Ariana Grande, with the song containing similar musical elements to Grande’s “Dangerous Woman.” 

Best Lyric: “And dreamin’ of writing vows, rockin’ cradles.”

4.“Dumb & Poetic” (8.5/10)

One of the more vulnerable songs on the album, “Dumb & Poetic” follows a melancholic tune capturing Carpenter’s pain. The simple instrumentals allow Carpenter’s raw, emotional lyrics disparaging her manipulative ex to shine through. The song displays Carpenter’s ability to craft bittersweet and emotional music, while also making it enjoyable. 

Best Lyrics: “Well, you crashed the car and abandoned the wreckage” / “F*ck with my head like it’s some kind of fetish.”

3.“Slim Pickins” (8.5/10)

“Slim Pickins” has an intimate feeling with a sense of sarcasm. Carpenter sings about her struggles to find someone who meets her high standards, explaining that she eventually gives up and settles for mediocrity. Her vocal range is robust during the chorus, where she expresses her disappointment with the men she has to choose from. Despite its minimal production, “Slim Pickins” highlights the singer’s heartfelt emotions while maintaining a humorous tone. 

Best Lyric: “This boy doesn’t even know the difference between ‘there,’ ‘their’ and ‘they are’”

2.“Please, Please, Please” (9.5/10)

Carpenter initially released “Please, Please, Please” as the album’s second single in June. Similarly to “Espresso,” the song blew up on social media because of its peppy lyrics and satisfying melody. Carpenter sings about her fear of her partner embarrassing her and highlights the playful dynamic she shares with her lover. Putting the first and second verses in different keys, along with a rhythmic chorus to keep the song interesting.“Please, Please, Please” heavily features Antonoff’s signature synths that help make it an uplifting and enthusiastic song. 

Best Lyrics: “Don’t bring me to tеars when I just did my makeup so nice.”

1.“Taste” (10/10)

Putting “Taste” as the first track off the album was a brilliant decision, as it’s upbeat and high-spirited, kicking off the album with high energy. With Carpenter’s use of similar instrumentals, such as electric guitar sounds, on other energetic tracks on the album, “Taste” feels more on brand for her as an artist. While nothing is confirmed about the influence behind the song, fans speculate it’s about Carpenter’s brief relationship with singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes in early 2023. The same day she released the album, Carpenter released a music video for the song imitating the 1992 movie “Death Becomes Her” starring Meryl Steep. The video featured actress and longtime friend of Carpenter’s, Jenna Ortega. The video was the cherry on top of an already creative and cheerful song. 

Best Lyrics: “You can have him if you like” / “I’ve been there, done that once or twice”

“Short n’ Sweet” is a creative blend of intimate songs conveying Carpenter’s feelings behind her relationships. Carpenter’s skill for drafting witty lyrics is clear, this album highlights her cleverness and remarkable vocal span. “Short n’ Sweet” is a great addition to the pop star’s discography and regardless of some weaker songs, was exactly what she needed to take the next step into pop stardom.