Sabrina Carpenter has returned with her take on modern love — and her conclusion is anything but simple.
Her new album, Man’s Best Friend (released Aug. 29), finds the 26-year-old pop star caught between longing, frustration and humor, while never straying too far from the sultry charm that made Short n’ Sweet a Grammy-winning success. Across its 12 tracks, Carpenter opens a playful yet honest window into her relationships.
On “House Tour,” she flirts over an ‘80s-inspired disco groove; with “Nobody’s Son,” she pokes fun at the awkwardness of being forever third-wheeling; and on “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night,” she maps the rollercoaster of an on-again, off-again romance. Despite the themes of heartache and missteps, the record bursts with upbeat, danceable energy, borrowing shades of ABBA, Dolly Parton, and even Carpenter’s own past work.
Nearly every song is laced with cheeky innuendo or sly double meanings — all delivered with the sharp comedic edge fans know well. Yet beneath the playful veneer, her message is clear: dating is messy. If men are going to be unreliable or dull, you might as well pour a little “Go Go Juice” and enjoy yourself.
A provocative cover sparks backlash
The album’s rollout wasn’t without controversy. The cover art — showing Carpenter in a sleek black dress and heels, crouched on all fours with someone tugging her hair — drew criticism online, with some branding it tone-deaf and regressive.
Sabrina Carpenter's studio album "Man’s Best Friend"
"This just set us back about 5 decades," user @uhhhlexa_ wrote on social media, while another, @mgracegunderson, added: "Excited for new music but this cover is a big no from me, dawg. In this political climate?? Girls, get up!"
Sabrina Carpenter responded in a recent CBS Mornings interview, explaining her vision: "My interpretation is being in on the control. Being in on your lack of control and when you want to be in control. Like, I think as a young woman … you're just as aware of when you're in control as when you're not"
"And I think some of those are choices. And I think for me, this whole album was about the humanity of allowing yourself to make those mistakes, knowing when you're… putting yourself in a situation that will probably end up poorly."
