Sabrina Carpenter's "Man's Best Friend" is the artist's seventh studio album, and consists of 12 tracks. Carpenter released this alternate album cover after her controversial first cover came under criticism. Photo courtesy of Island Records.
Sabrina Carpenter’s album, “Man’s Best Friend,” was released on Friday and has quickly waltzed its way up the charts. It gained popularity prior to release due to controversy regarding Carpenter’s main themes: male unreliability in relationships in modern dating, with touches of humorous and sexually charged songwriting. Through the album’s 12 tracks, Carpenter tells the truth behind relationships without hiding the ugly parts.
Released in June 2025 as a single, “Manchild” introduced the album to the public. It’s upbeat and catchy lyrics in regards to men who are often lacking when it comes to handling relationships. She tries to find the perfect word for a man and finally settles on “Manchild,” which is described as an “incompetent” man who lacks maturity and emotional intelligence, embodying a loving eye-roll and reflecting the confusion of young adult years.
The second single and track of the album, “Tears,” was released with a music video alongside the rest of the album. The piece gained popularity when Carpenter teased the music video on her Instagram just three days before the release date, hinting at a compromise between the same upbeat style as “Manchild,” but with a more refined production and cohesive sound. Carpenter’s whisper of “dance break” captures the playful and infectious energy that runs through the album.
Switching gears, “My Man on Willpower” starts off with a tone of anticipation. The track talks about her boyfriend evolving from once love-bombing to now forgetting to look in her direction. She explores the depths of relationships, and how easily people can change.“Sugar Talking” is inspired by a man making promises which he does not follow up with. Carpenter decides that she is done with the sweet talk and would rather work it out some other way.
Off to a slightly different start, “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” begins with a more mellow melody, weariness and strain of her situation. Soon, the song transitions into a faster pace while still carrying a soft, breathy quality in her vocals. Carpenter then transitions into a harmony of her own voice filled with repetition of her situation regarding almost breaking up, yet fixing it with unhelpful remedies.
Carpenter opens the next track, “Nobody’s Son,” by reading a text message in a monotone voice: “Hi, I hope you’re great, I think it’s time we took a break so I can grow emotionally.” Coming to a conclusion, Carpenter decides “There’s nobody’s son, not anyone left for me to believe in.”
Track 7, “Never Getting Laid” is a near manifestation of a carefree post break up. Though she begins in a calm and collected tone, she decides that although happiness is all she wants for him, imagining him with another woman is unbearable.“When Did You Get Hot?” seems more experimental compared to her other songs, the title itself functioning as a rhetorical question.
Throughout the track, Carpenter layers playful synths and crisp percussion, but often strips the production to just her bare voice. These moments are contrasted with added vocal textures—like echoing harmonies and airy overlays, giving the song more depth and dynamic structure.
Deciding to fix her boy problems with intoxication, “Go Go Juice” refers to Carpenter drinking with the intention of making phone calls to past lovers. Following the same outline of the majority of her tracks, this song is confident and fun.
“Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry” is a mellow mosaic that feels as if we are outside a window looking into Carpenter’s personal reflections. In contrast, beginning with a classic pop tone, “House Tour” is an energetic track. It checks all the boxes: creative in its metaphors with a lively opening and memorable close..
The last track, “Goodbye,” ends the album by assuring her past lover that no matter what language she says it in, “Goodbye means you’re losing me for life.” Carpenter decides to leave listeners dancing by providing a song so perfect for the occasion. Closing out her seventh studio album, after guiding listeners through the ups and downs of her relationships, she ends with “Get home safe” — a message that feels like a heart-felt good-luck wish to her fans.
Rating: 4.5/5