By Matija Šerić
One of the best music albums in the world this year is definitely Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend. The vividly titled album was released on August 29, just a year after her mega-successful Short n’ Sweet album, which earned her two Grammys. Few expected Carpenter to release a new album while still on her Short n’ Sweet tour, which concludes at the end of the year. However, Man’s Best Friend shows that she may be the busiest singer-songwriter in the industry. The talented blonde from Pennsylvania didn’t create a new album just to prolong her previous success—it’s the work of an inspired artist determined to dominate the global charts for the long term.
“Manchild” Captured the World’s Imagination
It was enough to listen to the album’s lead single, Manchild, released on June 5, to see that Sabrina knows exactly what she’s doing. The song and its video, in which she mocks immature (childish) men, along with the official album cover showing the singer kneeling in a dog-like pose in front of a man holding her by the hair, sparked controversy. Some criticized her for feminism (claiming she sends messages about men treating women like pets), while others accused her of promoting a hypersexualized narrative.
However, the criticism carries little weight, as Sabrina is an established entertainment figure and free to convey the messages she wants. At 26, she is no longer the Disney child star some still perceive her to be. Given the lyrics, it’s clear that the album aims to highlight men’s poor behavior toward women in relationships and marriages in a witty, precise way to make the message as strong as possible. The album could realistically be titled Man’s Worst Friend. Before the album’s release, she warned conservatives in a CBS interview to avoid it: “The album is not for those who are easily shocked. But I also think even those who are shocked can listen to such an album in private and find something that makes them smile or chuckle quietly.”
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Production
Alongside Carpenter, the album’s producers are Jack Antonoff and John Ryan—the same music experts she worked with on her previous album—though the last album featured some additional producers. This carefully selected team did an outstanding job, supported by the talented songwriter Amy Allen, who also contributed significantly. The resulting 12-track album represents Carpenter’s best work in her career in terms of musical quality and commercial success. These four collaborators achieved an excellent blend of lyrics, melodies, arrangements, and vocal harmonies that evoke nostalgia for past eras.
A Top-Notch Musical Work
Roughly speaking, it’s a pop album that blends genres such as disco-pop, country, R&B, funk, and synth-rock. The songs exude a vintage vibe reminiscent of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Influences from artists like Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, and the female group ABBA are noticeable. The choruses are catchy and memorable, and many tracks stay in the listener’s mind long after playing. Two released videos, for Manchild and Tears, are visually stunning, resembling trailers for high-budget Hollywood blockbusters. Sabrina demonstrated exceptional talent for producing videos, which could serve as a springboard for directing her own film, perhaps even a musical.
Humorous Erotic Pop
All 12 songs contain either explicit or metaphorical sexual connotations. In Tears, the second track, the opening lyric reads: “I get wet at the thought of you being a responsible guy,” while in the fifth track, We Almost Broke Up Last Night, one lyric reads: “gave me his whole heart, and I gave him head.” The title of the seventh track, Never Getting Laid, speaks for itself. In the eleventh track, House Tour, a metaphorical lyric goes: “I promise none of this is a metaphor / I just want you to come inside / But never enter through the back door.” No translation into Croatian is necessary for these lyrics.
Regarding connotations, it’s clear that Sabrina addresses sex openly. These are entertaining jokes that, at first glance, might seem crude but leave a strong impression. The album can be seen as a form of her unhidden revenge on irresponsible, arrogant, and conceited men (including her ex-boyfriends) who cheat, manipulate, and leave women, viewing them primarily as sexual objects for quick fun. Such behavior is absolutely unacceptable in the 21st century. However, Sabrina takes it a step further and responds in a language men best understand—sexual language. Thus, the album can be described as humorous erotic pop. While many men may want to seduce her, she satirically turns the tables.
Sabrina Carpenter – Tears
Commercial Success
Man’s Best Friend exploded on the market immediately upon release. It quickly became the album of summer and autumn 2025. It reached the top of the charts in more than ten countries and set the record for the most streams in a single day by a female artist on Spotify this year. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Globally, it achieved the highest sales and streaming results for a female artist in 2025, ranking third overall. With over 184 million on-demand streams, Man’s Best Friend represents the biggest commercial success of Carpenter’s career—achieved even before the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, which could break all records.
Queen of Humor
Although the explicit nature of most songs limits radio play, Man’s Best Friend is an excellent disco-pop album, mainly consisting of uplifting tracks perfect for cheering up after a breakup or a long day at the office. Many songs are true party hits ideal for celebrations. This album will define not only 2025 but the entire decade. Sabrina and her team have shown how classic melodies can thrive in a new form. With this album, Sabrina Carpenter has definitively branded herself as the queen of humor—a category in which she has no competition, to the delight of audiences enjoying the fruits of her remarkable talent.
References:
https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/
https://slate.com/culture/2025/08/sabrina-carpenter-album-mans-best-friend-tears-review.html
https://utterlyvapid.substack.com/p/mans-best-friend-a-review
