Sabrina Carpenter Solidifies Her Disco Pop Sound with "Man's Best Friend"

By Sophia Arredondo | September 8, 2025

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Just one year after the release of Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter returned with her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, Aug. 29. The 12- track record dives into themes of sex, heartbreak and toxic relationships. It is a bold yet authentic take that Carpenter has leaned into in recent years.  

She announced the album over the summer alongside an album cover that many found to be controversial. It features Carpenter in a black mini dress, heels and on her knees with her hand resting on an anonymous man’s leg. The suited man loosely grips her signature blonde hair. This image drew criticism from fans, with many arguing that it caters to the male gaze and reinforces patriarchal social structures..

In a July interview with Interview Magazine, Carpenter addressed the backlash, saying, “I don’t do anything anticipating what the reaction will be. I only do things that speak to me, that feel right and make sense when you hear the music. When I came up with the imaging for it, it was so clear to me what it meant. So the reaction is fascinating to me. You just watch it unravel and go, ‘Wow.’” 

Despite the early skepticism, the album's lead single, “ManChild,” which was released in June ahead of the album, was a major success. It debuted No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and gave fans their first taste of Carpenter’s matured sound.

Now with the full album available, listeners can experience Carpenter’s disco-pop evolution in full, track by track. Man’s Best Friend explores young heartbreak, lust and the chaos of modern love.

“Manchild”

Released June 5, the album’s lead single quickly became one of the songs of the summer. The truck humorously tackles the frustration of dealing with and dating emotionally immature men. It’s a shared experience many listeners can relate to. Its catchy beat and biting lyrics set the tone for what’s to come. 

“Tears”

Track 2 blends disco-tinged melodies with cheeky sensuality as Carpenter sings:

I get wet at the thought of you / being a responsible guy. 

It’s a playful song about the unexpected turn-on of maturity and decency against pop production. 

“My Man on Willpower”

Here, Carpenter sings about a lover who’s seemingly lost interest after deciding to “work on himself.”

He used to be literally obsessed with me / I’m suddenly the least sought out girl in the land. 

The tune’s catchy melody evolves with Carpenter’s ever-changing vocal inflections and with her comedic lyricism intertwined. Her vocal performance plays with tone and character, making her an unreliable narrator in a world full of unreliable men.

“Sugar Talking”

“Sugar Talking” fades into a much calmer musical tone, while lyrics explore the disconnect between words and actions. Though the man mistreats her, she remains physically attracted to him. Anchored by a slick guitar groove, Carpenter delivers the standout line. 

Save your money/ And stop making me cry-y-y-y. 

With an elegant, alluring vocal run and stripped-back production that lets the emotion breathe. 

“We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night”

This emotionally raw ballad reflects on the addictive cycle of toxic love, where breaking up seems inevitable but never happens. The slow, acoustic guitar quietly builds tension throughout, mirroring the highs and lows of a relationship in its final stages. 

“Nobody’s Son”

A return to the upbeat energy of the album’s earlier tracks, “Nobody’s Son” captures the cold reality of post-breakup loneliness. Lyrically, Carpenter paints the picture of being left behind, opening with a blunt breakup-like note. It effectively highlights a detached coldness of modern relationships. She translates her pain into a pop anthem, successfully balancing personal pain with satirical edge. 

“Never Getting Laid”

This track pairs dreamy 70s synth and production with biting lyricism that outlines the end of a relationship. The lyrics explain Carpenter’s frustration with her ex’s unpredictable nature. Though she’s moved on, Carpenter doesn’t hide her lingering resentment, wrapping it all in a velvety, retro soundscape. 

“When Did You Get Hot?”

This track is a playful, slightly self-deprecating song about unexpectedly bumping into an old lover who’s had a glow up. It’s flirty, fun and filled with Carpertener's signature wit. 

“Go Go Juice”

Already a fan favorite, this high-energy track conveys Carpenter's view on the post-breakup exploration of heartbreak, fun and unapologetic self-expression. The song blends Carpenter’s trademark pop melodies with a playful acoustic and country-hinted tune. 

“Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry”

“Don't Worry I’ll Make You Worry” is a sobering follow up to the previous track. The lyrics showcase Carpenter grappling with the duality of not being able to let go despite knowing she’s not right for him. The track is an open and heartfelt message that amusement can only temporarily push the clouding worries of relationship to the side. 

“House Tour”

“House Tour” lifts the mood again as Carpenter invites a new lover over after a first date. With an 80s-inspired synth beat and flirtatious lyrics, she showcases her humor and charm in a track that’s both breezy and nostalgic.

“Goodbye”

Closing out the album is “Goodbye,” a cathartic and sharp farewell. Carpenter confronts the end of a breakup head on. She uses the chorus to remind the other person that they were the one to walk away. She lays the truth bare to her ex. Rather than resorting to violence, she builds herself back up, turning breakup into a source of humor. 

With Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter firmly establishes her signature sound. From Emails I Can’t Send to Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter transitioned from a sound filled with elements of bedroom and alternative pop to a sound filled with elements of synth-pop and country. This album evolves her style with strong influences of 70s pop, disco and funk, wrapped in her modern lyrical sensibility. 

Though a first listen may feel repetitive, repeated plays reveal the layered production, clever lyricism and vocal inflections that make Carpenter’s work so captivating. Her bold creative choices, both sonically and visually, reflect a deep investment in storytelling and personal truth.

Man’s Best Friend is a vibrant, funny and emotionally honest reflection on love, lust and growing up in the spotlight. Carpenter is not afraid to confront taboos or lean into discomfort and that’s what makes this era so relatable and exciting.  

If this is the direction that Carpenter continues to explore, she is not just finding her sound, but perfecting it.