Sabrina Carpenter – "Short N' Sweet" (8/26)

[Ivy Leegue™]

Aug 23, 2024 23:12:55 GMT -5 Eqbk said:

Took to it more than I expected to on the first couple listens. Will have to see how things evolve as I play it some more.

Also, FYI to anyone ordering the Amazon exclusive vinyl:

LOL at that color discrepancy. Not the first time Amazon has pulled that shit. They are always pulling shenanigans though. Tell me why I have to wait til Tuesday to get the vinyl that I ordered the other day when, if I order the same vinyl now, I get it tomorrow? I've done the game with them where I have cancelled my original order and ordered it again, just to get it sooner. Sadly, since I used my Amazon points, I would have to wait to get them refunded, as they don't automatically return to your account once you cancel an order you purchased using them. First world problems, but whatever. I ordered the sky blue variant, so hopefully that one's color is accurate, but sooo glad I didn't pay extra for that "Lapis" one. I originally thought the color was pretty and I feel like it's the only variant of blue variant I don't have at this point, but whatever.

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

It’s OK. There’s maybe 2-3 albums in here and the Px3 leaning stuff is the most successful imo. Espresso feels like an outlier. Better sequencing would have helped it feel less chaotic. Could see Taste and Juno doing well.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Aug 24, 2024 8:12:42 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

Aug 23, 2024 22:23:22 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

For you I'm sure it is!

Imagine being that confident and that wrong? lol. Obvious smash and album highlight.

I'm saying! lol

[SHOOTER]

Will debut at #1 with a current projection of 280-310k SPS. Now this is what you call a breakthrough!

Eyes Wide Open: #43, 12k.

EVOLution: #28, 11.5k.

Singular: Act I: #103, 8k SPS.

Singular: Act II: #138, 6k SPS.

emails i can't send: #23, 18k SPS (7k sales).

[God]

Aug 23, 2024 10:39:31 GMT -5 Taylor. said:

I really like the album 🤷

Immediately same! There isn't a single song on it that I don't like.

[NeRD]

I just wanna say the production on this album is top tier, fantastic. Her songwriting is great too but her producer did that.

[Ling-Ling]

Went on a long hike today and this was on repeat. I must admit, wasn't really aware of Sabrina until "Feather," so I don't know shit about her or her discography, lol. This album is... kinda great? Surprised by the mid reactions. And she set perfect expectations with the two lead singles. You have the poppier material like "Espresso" and the more acoustic/countrified material like "PPP." She sounds great, every song is well produced and has a nice hook, a lot of clever/witty moments in the lyrics. She even passes the test that so many artists fail, the stripped back acoustic ballad. "Dumb & Poetic" is gorgeous lyrically, vocally and melodically (where the bridge though?).

I stand by my OG opinion that the sequencing is a total mess. There's a clear through line with the poppier material, the poppier material with acoustic elements and the more stripped-back acoustic material. And they fought it at every turn for some reason, lol. Like how do you go from "Espresso" to "D&P"? Make it make sense.

Either way, homegirl is officially on my radar. Let me go give her other albums a spin.

[shakemaki]

It’s fine. I can’t really muster stan card enthusiasm for her or her music though. Even though Espresso is a perfect little pop bop, I personally don’t think that has much to do with her. Taste is the other highlight for me, but it has everything to do with the fact that she swiped it from Ms Jepsen’s hard drive (jkjk).

The country flair in P3 and Slim Pickens are also kind of a nice vibe from her, even as a non-country fan. I will say I don’t really buy all the sexually charged lyrics coming from her. A lot of it feels forced for whatever reason. I have no real familiarity with her prior to this era though.

[Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ]

Aug 24, 2024 17:14:51 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

Either way, homegirl is officially on my radar. Let me go give her other albums a spin.

make sure you don't skip this bop:

[Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint]

Its not everyday I get invested enough in a pop girl for me to be sitting here having a 🍷 and eating Yam sushi listening to Sabrina entire album

Please x 3 and Espresso have made me a fan . Good Graces is also a catchy BOP! Bad Chem is really good too. Dumb and Plastic is such a great track and shows depth but why is it so short? Feels unfinished but has great potential. Juno is nice

Couple of duds for me led by Sharpest tool, Lie to Girls etc

ETA Don't smile is euphoria. Wish I was high to fully appreciate this vibe but I can see this growing even more on me

[elementd5]

Yeah, Good Graces and Bed Chem are excellent, but I agree there’s a lot of just okay filler. I’m going to make this an EP with the midtempos.

[Hefty Hanna]

I actually really like this album! Pleasantly surprised.

[Ty]

"Good Graces" is the standout for me besides the two singles. The second half of the album is a bit monotonous. I was hoping there would be something up tempo that ends it on a high note.

I also felt like she sometimes sounds like...Taylor Swift? Don't know if that has been picked up by others before.

And wow, that's some crazy first week number for her. I remember the days when she was doing remixes for other pop B-listers (her remix for Zara Larsson's "WOW" still goes hard btw).

[andrebra]

I have found myself becoming obsessed with Don’t Smile. What a vibe that song is and has insane replay value. Honestly was not expecting a Kali Uchis-esque song from her but she nails this vibe!

[schnetzka]

There's not a single song I don't like but I prefer the more upbeat songs on the project.

[Ernesto]

[Suono]

This is a phenom album. The lyrics are honestly the best part for me

[Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint]

Sabrina I see you girl you have a little urban in you 😘 with Bed Chem I can see her at the next annual cookout!

I know I like her because I can't bring myself to butcher her name!

[Ivy Leegue™]

This was a really fun first listen. Sabrina is vicious with that pen, y'all! I never knew! Quirky, cool, sexy, NASTY, biting...all that talent and spunk in a little package. Short & Sweet, indeed. Every single thing about this era, including how she literally almost freaked out on Zane at the beginning of the interview and shaded him, is an epic win. A-

1. Espresso (YUP. That's that me that bitch. Always and forever. The song that made me even look in her direction and now, here we are. But, yeah, I have to give it up to the O.G.)
1. Juno (Wow. I didn't see this one coming. I love how it's sweet and nasty at the same time and she nails the 80's vibe and @ the lyrics. This ties with Espresso for the top. They are just so different.)
3. Please Please Please (I can't believe I never felt any way other than absolute adoration for this song, but...Jack knows, hehe. Anyway, a well-deserved hit.)
4. Lie To Girls (This is really interesting, especially sonically. It's like a mash-up of a few different songs, but I like it. In fact, by the end, I was completely sold and saw the vision and it was beautiful.)
5. Dumb & Poetic (DRAG. THAT. MAN. This is so great.)
6. Bed Chem (Whew, Sabrina is NASTY and I love it! Also, I LOVE the 80's R&B vibe. So random!)
7. Good Graces (I wasn't expecting this moment, but here for it!)
8. Taste (I actually forgot what this sounds like as I have progressed through the album, LOL. I remember liking it when it was playing, but the album became much more interesting. Maybe because it was pop-rock adjacent, so I was kinda like whatever, I want to see what else the album has in store. Edit: I went back and realized it's the next single and it makes sense. It's very cute, but there are definitely better songs, including the first two singles. It kinda has some country to it, as well. I think it will do well.)
9. Slim Pickins (I really like Sabrina as a lyricist. This is so well-constructed, sung, and executed.)
10. Coincidence (This actually has a cool vibe and...is it a coincidence that I feel like Shawn is giving us something similar on his new album? Hmm...Love the lyrics, too, LOL.)
11. Don't Smile (This is dreamy and a nice conclusion.)
12. Sharpest Tool (This one is weird. There is too much vocal processing, weird effects (and I'm an Antonoff stan!) and the melody isn't really catchy. Also, the "We don't really talk about it" part sounds...bad.)

[avamaxstan]

^YES my exact thoughts. I used to write her off as generic Spotify playlist fodder, it wasn't until Espresso that I paid attention and realized what a baddie she is. Her lyrics, vocal delivery and interviews are oozing with sharp wit and a coy, playful humor. She's the magic ingredient that elevates this from solid collection of middle-ground pop songs to a superstar album. 

[shakemaki]

It almost feels impossible to me to imagine Bed Chem and Juno not being big smashes after Taste is as well… are we really about to have a bonafide 5 hit era in the streaming age?!?

[Eqbk]

A cd version of the alternative cover is now available for pre-order at her online store and ships at the beginning on 8/30/24 (the beginning of the next tracking period).

[Ivy Leegue™]

While Sharpest Tool is still the weakest by far of the bunch, it has grown on me and is not bad. Again...the lyrics and personality shine through and elevate the song. Also, the sky blue variant is really pretty, but...can we talk about the overall vinyl packaging for this album!? The best standard edition of a vinyl I have seen in AGES. The art direction and inserts are flawless.

[shakemaki]

Sharpest Tool is great, I could even see it being yet another hit. The post-chorus is hella catchy. Though not on the level of a few of the other smashes still left. This is now the second album this year that basically sounds to me like it should be Teenage Dream if we could still have 6-7 smash hit eras (Chappell’s being the other).

[Future Captain]

gave the album a listen on shuffle and i think i like it more that way. she's taking lessons from the taylor swift university of bad sequencing

[SHOOTER]

Aug 24, 2024 15:04:38 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Will debut at #1 with a current projection of 280-310k SPS. Now this is what you call a breakthrough!

Projection updated to 317k SPS (175k sales). Us Singular stans were in the trenches praying for times like these!

[Ivy Leegue™]

Aug 27, 2024 13:20:01 GMT -5 shakemaki said:

Sharpest Tool is great, I could even see it being yet another hit. The post-chorus is hella catchy. Though not on the level of a few of the other smashes still left. This is now the second album this year that basically sounds to me like it should be Teenage Dream if we could still have 6-7 smash hit eras (Chappell’s being the other).

You really think pop radio would make a hit out of Sharpest Tool?? How is it doing on streaming?

[Choco]

Bed Chem n3eds to be a hit.

The album is cute for the most part.

[balletgirlmom]

Great album and happy to see Sabrina knocking this out of the park!

[shakemaki]

Aug 27, 2024 20:18:11 GMT -5 Ivy Leegue™ said:

Aug 27, 2024 13:20:01 GMT -5 shakemaki said:

Sharpest Tool is great, I could even see it being yet another hit. The post-chorus is hella catchy. Though not on the level of a few of the other smashes still left. This is now the second album this year that basically sounds to me like it should be Teenage Dream if we could still have 6-7 smash hit eras (Chappell’s being the other).

You really think pop radio would make a hit out of Sharpest Tool?? How is it doing on streaming?

If by some miracle they went 6 singles deep, yeah it would honestly be my pick for 6th (definitely not before Bed Chem and Juno get their chance). Good Graces gives me major Taylor Broken Heart vibes in that I think the burn rate would be teribleeee despite it being catchy. I think at least radio would go much further with Sharpest Tool in the long run.

Idk how streaming is, but I don’t put much stock in initial streaming when trying to pick out hits on an album. I think that’s label’s biggest mistake picking post-album singles in the streaming age. Far from always a perfect indicator of hit.