Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Sabrina Carpenter's sixth studio album Short N Sweet defines an era, triply word-playing on the briefness of her first romances, media runtimes, and the artist's height. Exploring the Gen Z icon's love life and perspectives on 2020s dating, the title refers to Carpenter's shortest ever romantic relationship, as she endeavours to honour the validity of said encounter in a glacial climate of a staid romantic culture that emphasises long-termism as the only possible form of true love. And yet despite the imaginary spirit of carefreeness, Carpenter's lyrics are pretty pessimistic if you listen past the poppified blitz of sound: the sense is that generations of lovers have failed to account for the true polyvalence of love, where even the shortest of encounters can engender the worst of heartbreaks.

Review: Sabrina Carpenter's latest release offers a mix of catchy pop melodies and introspective lyrics, perfectly captured on this limited edition olive green vinyl LP. Each track feels like a personal reflection, blending playful pop elements with deeper emotional moments. Carpenter's vocals transition effortlessly from light-hearted to deeply resonant, mirroring the complexities of self-discovery and relationships. With its honest lyricism and vibrant production, the album presents a refreshing take on pop. The indie-exclusive edition comes with a postcard, making it a must-have for collectors and fans who appreciate a blend of engaging music and tangible, personal touches.

Review: Short n' sweet is perhaps the prevalent ideal of pop music today. Sabrina Carpenter's nectarous new record is a delightfully brief pick-me-up, one that nails the style. Described as a "pocket-sized popstar with a larger-than-life artistic presence" by Polydor, Carpenter's depiction as an idol of convenience and portability feels apt for today's always-on, attention-frazzling zeitgeist. Quick songwriterly syrups brightened-to-perfection productions help Carpenter trade in themes of youthful exuberance and glib spirit, as echoes of country music efflux through trap and ratchet pop; a quick rinse-off in an infinity pool of post-Taylor-Swift gloss. Titles like 'Sharpest Tool', 'Espresso', '15 Minutes' and 'Bed Chem' all seem to affirm the record's effective immediacy: and Carpenter owns the stimulant shot, as she taunts a romantic rival: "you'll just have to taste me me when he's kissing you..."