Sabrina Carpenter’s latest release, “Short n’ Sweet Deluxe,” brought the Grammy Award-winning album to a new level. The original album was a huge success, causing Carpenter to achieve her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. She also produced two Billboard Top 100 hits:“Espresso” at No. 3 and “Please Please Please” at No. 1. The release of the deluxe edition was announced on Feb. 4, 2025, and it was released on Feb. 14, 2025, making her fan’s Valentine’s Day celebrations extra sweet.
The deluxe album has four new songs and a re-recorded version of “Please Please Please” featuring the country icon Dolly Parton. The added country twang creates a reimagined rendition of the song, causing fans to obsess over the two incredible singers’ collaboration. Although Parton is not highlighted as a soloist on the song, it is still captivating to hear the seasoned country star collaborate with the up-and-coming pop sensation.
“15 Minutes” is the first new song on the album. The intro is short and jumps right into Carpenter’s iconic lyricism. The song is a commentary on how “the clock is ticking” on her time of fame in the industry and how no one’s fame lasts forever, but she can “do a lot in 15 minutes.” It’s upbeat with a quality that makes listeners want to jump into a summer movie scene and dance until they drop. “15 minutes” also references some of Carpenter’s alleged relationships and drama in a light and joking matter with a sassy edge. The song ended with a proclamation that when her “time’s up,” she will do something crazy to stay in the scene. When you listen to the refrain, you may think you’ve heard it before, but that is just the tune of Carpenter’s singing. Every song sounds different in this album, but at the same time, they share a common theme: a theme consisting of a bit of country, a lot of pop and always a fantastic beat.
The next new song, “Couldn’t Make it Any Harder,” starts out slower than other songs on the album, with most of the melody lying in Carpenter’s falsetto, causing the light and potentially breathy feel. Carpenter sings this song on a higher part of her range; her developed and strong mixed voice allows for a powerful, gut-wrenching feel as the lyrics, “You say I can take it/ But you don’t know how hard I can make it.” Instead of quick party beats, these notes are stretched and elongated, creating a sadder, more vulnerable tone. The song picks up with the second chorus, then slows down again in the last few seconds, forming a story arc of emotional distress and a resolution of a reluctant rejection to her partner’s love. These choices allow the deeper meaning of the story to truly resonate.
The intro to the third new song of the album, “Busy Woman,” is a throwback to the 2000s. This song is the type of song that would get everyone on their feet at a dance party in a 2000s rom-com. The base of the song is upbeat and catchy. Carpenter’s choice of which notes are accented with length, riffs, or belting makes “Busy Woman” a staple in any feel good playlist. The title, which is repeated throughout the lyrics, ties the whole song together.
“Bad Reviews” is a song that would be played around a campfire with the easiest instrument to hear being a guitar, giving the song a cozy essence. As the song continues, it turns more into a country beat. The vocal tricks Carpenter manages—such as her runs—are highly impressive and showcase her vocal excellence and expertise on a new high level.
Unlike the powerful panic in “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder,” “Bad Reviews” expresses Carpenter’s struggle in a soft, more soul-touching way. The use of a breathier singing style, including her upper range, gives listeners a chance to feel as if they are reaching into Carpenter’s world and heart.
You won’t regret listening to this album. The 17 songs are a perfect combination of country, pizzazz, pop and emotional edge. It is obvious why many of the songs on the album made it to the top of the Billboard charts. Carpenter has produced a variety of music and continues to bring new creative lyrics and melodies to all streaming platforms.
