In the dead of winter, it’s easy to succumb to the typical gloom of the colder seasons. Amidst the winter dreariness, Sabrina Carpenter has swung in to resolve our boredom and melancholy with five new bonus tracks to her previously released album, Short n’ Sweet. The deluxe edition of the album was released on Feb. 14, adding a sincere background to many people’s Valentine’s Day adventures.
The first of the songs, “15 Minutes,” features Carpenter comedically contemplating her rocketed success from Short n’ Sweet, joking about her bizarre experiences with her “fifteen minutes” of fame. Carpenter’s lively vocals paired with a familiarly energetic beat match wonderfully with the rest of the album, emanating the fun and flirty vibe Carpenter is known for. Even though the track is similar to many others, it stands out nonetheless with its witty lyricism and impeccable danceability.
The next track is a new version of “Please Please Please,” turned on its head with a special feature from renowned country singer Dolly Parton. The two switch off lines throughout the song, with notably distinct voices. The instrumentals backing the song are changed, switching from a beachy, airy genre to an old-school country sound.
Even after multiple listens, Carpenter’s vision for the revamped track was still unclear and yet to be executed well. Parton’s vocals stood out massively throughout the song for all the wrong reasons, leaving listeners feeling like Carpenter allowed her grandmother to sing on the track as an act of sympathy. Carpenter’s clear vocals were a breath of fresh air compared to Parton’s ill-fitting singing. Where Parton failed to seamlessly make her mark on “Please Please Please,” a feature from her might’ve been more welcome on the already country track, “Slim Pickins”. Although Parton remains an icon in her genre, this might be a sign for her to understand her limits.
Carpenter reels listeners back in and charms them with stunning, powerful vocals in “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder.” Carpenter sings of being detached from her significant other, left hurt from her past relationships and her present one. The instrumentals stand back, allowing Carpenter to shine on her own and prove her sheer talent. Carpenter’s unbelievable natural talent is laid out on display, adding a layer of raw emotional depth and passion. A strong-hearted ballad, Carpenter’s devotion and fervor for her partners becomes obvious through the short track.
The beat is picked back up with “Busy Woman” and Carpenter’s flirtatious jokes make a reappearance as she sings of attempting to act nonchalant towards a lover, feigning indifference unless they make time for her. Listeners are immediately caught up in the catchiness of the song with the greatest aspect of the song being the addicting note changes and quick-witted lyrics. ‘Busy Woman” is easily the best track of the released five, every aspect of the song coming together to create a three-minute dose of euphoria.
The last of the bonus tracks, “Bad Reviews,” wraps up the album excellently, encapsulating the sweetly-sung pains of love heard throughout the record. Carpenter’s light southern twang seeps through the cracks, smooth and flawless in its addition. Carpenter recognizes what other people have said about her significant others, but decides not to listen to them, confident in her own feelings and opinions. “Bad Reviews” is everything Short n’ Sweet is and aims to be, leaving listeners with a feeling of completion after wrapping up their listening session.
Aside from the slight misfire the new rendition of “Please Please Please” was, Carpenter’s new tracks align with the iconic nature of the rest of the album, proving Carpenter always has more in her in terms of her creative abilities. The deluxe version of this amazing album was exactly the Valentine’s Day treat we all needed to spruce up our lives and get us out of our mid-February funk.
