Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter released the deluxe version of her two-time Grammy winning album “Short n’ Sweet” on Friday, Feb. 14. The superstar announced the release of the deluxe album after her sensational night at the Grammy Awards, winning Best Pop Vocal Album for “Short n’ Sweet” and Best Pop Solo Performance for her explosive hit “Espresso” with nearly two billion streams.
“Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)” features five bonus tracks and a surprise celebrity appearance by country superstar and 11-time Grammy winner, Dolly Parton. Sabrina Carpenter announced the deluxe track titles on her Instagram by thanking fans “for giving [Short n’ Sweet] 2 Grammys” while also emphasizing Parton’s feature on the album by stating, “And yes that does say featuring Miss Dolly Parton.”
The first bonus track “15 Minutes” is exactly what fans expected it to be, an upbeat song that’s perfect to jam to with a shot of espresso. “15 Minutes” fits within the album perfectly; Carpenter’s continuation of her spicy message while also flaunting her recent success within the music industry in the chorus: “But I can do a lot in 15 minutes… Take a couple bucks, turn ‘em into millions.” This track resonated with listeners expeditiously, fans are already pleading for it to be added to the Short n’ Sweet Tour set list. Carpenter’s placement of “15 Minutes” as the first surprise track was the perfect icebreaker to get fans excited for the five new songs and truly proves she deserves her first two Grammys.
When Carpenter announced the track titles on her Instagram, “Please Please Please (feat. Dolly Parton)” reeled in both Sabrina Carpenter and Dolly Parton fans. The original track, “Please Please Please” was the second biggest hit on “Short n’ Sweet” surpassing one billion streams and the addition of country star Dolly Parton made this track one of the most anticipated on the deluxe version. However, it severely disappointed fans of both pop and country. The beginning of the track features a guitar for a country-esque vibe, but when the two begin harmonizing, it is clear their voices do not mix well together. Parton begins singing in a higher key, different from what fans know and love her for to try and match Carpenter’s range, but fails to execute it. Due to the two beloved blonde’s drastic lack of any proper harmonization, the Dolly Parton feature felt forced as a way to gain more listeners from the country music world.
One of the most emotional songs Sabrina Carpenter has released, “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” is completely different from the rest of the album, including the other deluxe songs. This track is a self-reflection for Carpenter as she gives fans insight into her own love life. The two-timer, Grammy winner reflects on her past lovers’ traumatizing actions toward her and how they made it hard for her to accept love from anyone in the future. Carpenter ends the sentimental song discouraged with the lyrics “I couldn’t make it any harder to love me. One day believe me, you’ll want someone who makes it easy.” Although “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” is different from anything Carpenter has released before, the harmonizing background vocals along with deep meaning behind the song was a great way for the popstar to dip her toes into the emotional side of music.
Switching back to a pop song perfect to dance to, “Busy Woman” has a similar background melody and theme as “Taste,” the third biggest hit on “Short n’ Sweet.” The two songs are iconically confidence boosting and are all-around entertaining songs to karaoke to for 15 minutes straight. “Busy Woman” first verse “I’m so mature, calm, and sensible. Except when I get hit with rejection,” reveals even popstars get rejected by lovers. In the chorus, Carpenter remembers who she is and she doesn’t need his love, “I’m a busy woman, I wouldn’t let you in my calendar any night.” Carpenter is known for her confident performances and outfits on tour, “Busy Woman” would be a perfect addition to the set list as well.
The last of the five deluxe tracks is “Bad Reviews.” Despite the name, the bad reviews the title is referring to isn’t about Carpenter’s songs or albums, it’s about who she loves. Throughout the short song, Carpenter repeats the constant dislikes she hears about a man she loves. Despite the bad gut feelings she and others around her feel about this mystery man, she still “chooses” to be in love with him. Though this track’s lyrics are on the gloomy side, the upbeat melody of the song attempts to hide the gloomy lyrics, different from “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder.” Placing “Bad Reviews” as the last song on the deluxe album was genius to keep listeners engaged and excited to reach the song with an eye-catching title and that deserves no bad reviews.
Hit song after hit song on “Short n’ Sweet” left fans wanting more and almost six months after its release, that’s exactly what fans got. Sabrina Carpenter waited to release some of the most catchy and energetic songs to give fans a deluxe version that was five times sweeter than the original. Besides the unnecessary feature of Dolly Parton on “Please Please Please,” the new deluxe tracks did not let fans down. “Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)” tastes like a sweet 8 out of 10.
