When Sabrina Carpenter announced her new album Man’s Best Friend, the pop world lit up instantly. The album cover – showing Carpenter on all fours with a man tugging her hair – sparked outrage, especially among younger fans. But controversy has always followed pop stars, from Madonna to Miley, and Carpenter seems more than ready to embrace that tradition.
Yet once you hit play, the real surprise isn’t the shock value — it’s how old-school and carefully crafted this record feels. Man’s Best Friend may be loaded with cheeky lines (“Gave me his whole heart and I gave him head”), but beneath the sass, it’s a masterclass in pop songwriting.
A Pop Album With Depth
Unlike the TikTok-ready sugar rush of Espresso or the playful energy of Nonsense, Sabrina’s new album dives deeper. Produced in close collaboration with Jack Antonoff, it’s a record stuffed with live instruments, intricate structures, and irresistible hooks.
There are nods to Fleetwood Mac, Abba, and even left-field sounds like clavinet and sitar. Instead of chasing trends, Sabrina goes against the grain — and it works.
The Songs That Stand Out
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“Manchild” – the bold lead single is messy, busy, and brilliant. The second verse changes melody completely, the bridge veers off again, and somehow it all sticks. Max Martin might call it “wrong,” but it’s deliciously addictive.
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“My Man on Willpower” – a shimmering Eurodisco track dripping with frustration and humor. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to look up the my man on willpower lyrics right after listening.
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“House Tour” – quirky, witty, and domestic. Carpenter sings about snacks, couches, and comfort in a way that’s both hilarious and surprisingly relatable.
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“Tears” – maybe the emotional centerpiece of the album. With soaring vocals and piercing honesty, this one’s bound to send fans searching for the Sabrina Carpenter Tears lyrics or simply “Tears lyrics Sabrina Carpenter.” It balances the playful side of the album with something far more vulnerable.
Other tracks, like “Never Getting Laid” (yes, that’s the real title), push the tongue-in-cheek humor even further, but always with sharp songwriting underneath.
The Jack Antonoff Effect
Jack Antonoff, sometimes criticized for being overexposed in pop, sounds completely revitalized here. Along with Amy Allen and John Ryan, he turns Sabrina’s vision into something massive and detailed. Strings, guitars, live drums, session musicians — the production is lush without being bloated.
Compared to her previous hit album Short’n’Sweet, which dominated charts with fun simplicity, Man’s Best Friend feels richer, smarter, and much more ambitious.
Pop With Bite (and Bark)
The title Man’s Best Friend isn’t just a provocation — it’s the theme. Sabrina playfully skewers the way men treat women in relationships, likening it to how people treat their pets. The message is delivered with lighthearted cheekiness, but the execution is serious and stunning.
Yes, there’s innuendo, profanity, and over-the-top camp. But this time it’s anchored by pop craft at its highest level. The result is one of the most musically adventurous pop albums of the year.
Final Thoughts
With Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter cements herself as more than just a hitmaker — she’s a true pop auteur. The controversy around the Sabrina Carpenter album cover will fade, but the songs — from “Manchild” to “Tears” — are built to last.
For fans searching up Tears Sabrina Carpenter, Man’s Best Friend lyrics, or even “Never Getting Laid lyrics,” what they’ll find is not just shock value, but an artist at the top of her game.
Playful, provocative, and brilliantly made — this is Sabrina Carpenter’s best work yet.
