Sabrina Carpenter has pulled off one of the most striking rebrands in pop culture. She’s transformed from Disney Channel’s wholesome “girl next door” to the dreamy retro muse of “Short n’ Sweet” and now into a confident, era-defining pop powerhouse.. 

With the recent release of her newest album, “Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina has once again dominated the charts as the new rising music icon of this generation. 

The road to this release, however, was far from smooth. The unveiling of the album cover sparked immediate backlash, with critics calling it “sexist” and “degrading.” The artwork depicted Carpenter on her hands and knees, her hair held by an out-of-frame man, a provocative image meant to comically portray her as a dog. 

The backlash attempted to cancel Carpenter’s release before it had even happened. However, the release of “Man’s Best Friend” was met with strong fan support and positive reviews, showing that her audience was more interested in the music than the controversy. Additionally, many critics were silenced once they realized the album cover was intentionally playing into the humor of poking fun at men rather than degrading women. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t one of Carpenter’s number one fans, I’ve been obsessed with her growth and slow rise to fame since her time on Disney Channel. That said, I’ll give a fair and honest review, biases aside. 

“Man’s Best Friend”, released on August 29 of this year, has dominated the charts since its debut. The track list offers a carefully balanced mix of songs, many of which resonate with listeners who have experienced heartbreak or frustration at the hands of “stupid” men. 

The title single “Manchild” showcases Carpenter’s country twang and highlights her versatility as an artist. While this track is undeniably catchy, it only scratches the surface of what the rest of the album delivers, with its mix of sharp lyricism, emotional depth, and genre-blending experimentation. 

While I could give a detailed dissertation about every track on this album, I’ll spare you the lecture and keep it to the high points starting from weakest to strongest. 

I would argue the weakest song on the album would be “Don’t Worry, I’ll Make You Worry”. This song is a lyrical, powerful ballad that warns future and/or current romantic endeavors of her desire for the upper hand. The song explores the construction of emotional manipulation, in keeping her partner in a constant state of uncertainty and confusion. Ultimately, the track neither elevates nor detracts from the album as a whole. While it demonstrates Carpenter’s impressive vocal range, it lacks the same level of impact and artistry that defines the stronger songs on “Man’s Best Friend”. 

Throughout the album, Carpenter’s disco and ’80s pop influences shine through, most notably in “My Man on Willpower,” where the retro-inspired production underscores her playful yet confident delivery. This song is, in a word, fun. The melody and backing vocals make this piece infectious with energy while discussing the difficult topic of a romantic pursuit turning sour. The contrast between the upbeat sound and bittersweet subject matter adds depth, and it reinforces the album’s recurring commentary on the frustrations and imbalances that often surface in modern relationships. 

Carpenter clearly had an “ABBA summer” based on what I would say may be the strongest album closer of the past year: “Goodbye.” This song is playful and features a full string orchestra on the backing track. It’s truly a girl anthem for those freed from the chains of a terrible relationship. It’s a finale that leaves listeners energized, tying the album together with both flair and emotional closure, setting itself apart from the weight of earlier songs, and serves as a farewell to the men and emotional baggage explored in earlier tracks. 

Narrowing down the standout tracks on this album is no easy task. With no true “skips,” “Man’s Best Friend” stands out as one of the most consistently entertaining albums Carpenter has released, and one of the most engaging pop records of the year. 

Ultimately, this album feels like a deeply therapeutic journey for Carpenter, and its raw emotion is what makes it resonate so strongly with fans. While not overly complex or esoteric, it’s an album anyone can relate to. I cannot recommend it enough. This is a feel-good, cathartic release that showcases Carpenter at her most honest and relatable.