Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, Man’s Best Friend, is one of her boldest and most ambitious projects yet.
The record arrives with controversy already attached, thanks to its provocative cover art showing Carpenter on her hands and knees while a man tugs at her hair. While some online reactions painted it as attention-seeking, the music itself tells a very different story – one of craft, wit, and fearless pop experimentation.
Known for playful hits like Nonsense and Espresso, Carpenter here takes her songwriting to a new level of complexity. Man’s Best Friend is tightly constructed, brimming with live instrumentation, unexpected flourishes, and hooks that stay lodged in your head long after listening. Working with producers Jack Antonoff, Amy Allen, and John Ryan, Carpenter leans into retro influences, drawing on everything from ABBA and Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk to Boney M-style disco, while still keeping her sound distinctly her own.
The lead single Manchild sets the tone – unconventional in structure, wildly catchy, and lyrically cheeky, it requires multiple listens to fully appreciate its layered production. Tracks like My Man on Willpower and House Tour showcase her ability to blend humor, intimacy, and musical daring, pairing sexual frustration with shimmering disco and turning domestic imagery into quirky pop poetry.
At the heart of the album is Carpenter’s witty exploration of relationships, often framed through her signature tongue-in-cheek lens. Songs like We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night swell into small-scale epics with soaring strings and guitar solos, proving that even her playful tracks are executed with meticulous detail.
Much credit goes to Antonoff, who, despite criticism of being overexposed in pop production, finds a near-perfect balance with Carpenter here. Their collaboration recalls his best work with Lana Del Rey, giving Man’s Best Friend a richness that sets it apart from her earlier records.
The album’s only divisive element may be Carpenter’s unapologetic humor and innuendo-laden lyrics, which some listeners might find excessive. But where previous albums risked overindulgence, here every outrageous lyric is backed by sharp songwriting and lush production.
Ultimately, Man’s Best Friend cements Sabrina Carpenter as more than just a rising pop star – it establishes her as one of the most exciting and inventive voices in contemporary music.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
