On Aug. 23, 2024, pop star Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet”. The album features a diverse mix of upbeat and lighthearted tracks like “Juno” and “Bed Chem,” as well as more mellow and heartfelt ones such as “Dumb & Poetic” and “Lie to Girls.” Carpenter is currently on tour, which began in Columbus, OH., on Sept. 23, 2024, and is planned to end on March 26, 2025, in Milan, Italy.
Three songs by Carpenter have ranked in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart over the past eight weeks. These songs are “Espresso,” “Please Please Please” and “Taste.” The former Disney Channel star has skyrocketed to even higher levels of fame, attracting millions of fans, including those from Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
“[Carpenter’s] music has made a clear impact on current trends in both social media and pop culture by standing out and being confident,” FHS sophomore Jevannie Morales said. “She’s getting attention from our generation in particular by being confident while showing her immense amounts of energy and having an enjoyable time on stage.”
The artist quickly gained attention through her flashy dresses, which stood out to younger generations. Sticking to similar color schemes, she is mostly seen in pastels such as baby yellow, baby pink and baby blue. To have fun with her audience and create anticipation during every show, during the song “Juno”, Carpenter strikes a new, dramatic pose to the lyric, “Have you ever tried this one?” which is reminiscent of her iconic “Nonsense” outros, which she would improvise to honor every show’s location.
According to an article from Insight, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 200 on Sept. 3 and became a platinum record, meaning it sold over 1 million copies, on Sept. 29.
Aside from attracting attention from younger listeners, Carpenter has also gained recognition from adults.
“I believe her songs express much emotion, allowing her to connect with the younger generation,” FHS History teacher Monica Woo said. “[Carpenter’s] album is alright, I’ve only listened to two or three of the songs, so I don’t know all of them.”
Woo also noted that Carpenter’s ability to blend personal storytelling with universal themes is what resonates most with listeners.
“I think if you look at the album as a whole, you can tell that she’s trying to portray her experiences with relationships,” Woo said. “But if you look at them individually, you don’t really get the full story on what she’s trying to say.”
Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” album has sparked a wide range of reactions. With its blend of upbeat tracks and energetic performances, it has earned her recognition from a variety of listeners. Her undeniable success through music serves as a reminder that today’s music is not shaped by the sound itself, but by an artist’s ability to connect with their audience and stay true to their identity.
