Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, “Man’s Best Friend," was released Aug 29. People had a lot to say about the album cover even before its release, and despite controversy, there are many ways to interpret how Carpenter uses sexuality and certain innuendos.
Carpenter demonstrates female empowerment through sexiness and realness in “Man’s Best Friend.” She has fun with her music and sings about what many women feel. She also doesn’t shy away from potentially making certain listeners uncomfortable.
Listening to the album in order brings its story together. Carpenter even mentioned that listening to the songs in order is important. The story is being told purposefully. The tracklist tells of a woman experiencing a rollercoaster of love. We hear jokes, then sexual innuendos, indecisive emotions, hurt, confidence and finally independence. This creates an accurate portrayal of what it means to be a woman.
The story begins with “Manchild,” the first song released back in June. Dating a manchild or even speaking with one is a universal experience. Women are often expected to take care of men as if they are children, and having a song to blast when someone is acting like a child is refreshing. The music video accompanying it was also a cinematic work. It held many costume changes, dance breaks and strange moments, such as a motorcycle that looked like a jet ski and pigs in a bathtub. Each of these components seems to reflect ways men can make no sense, and women are there to laugh.
“Tears” is the next track and keeps on the same path of humor and an entertaining video. Carpenter sings about being turned on by a man doing the bare minimum. This song shocked fans as many expected it to be about crying; however, she found a way to make the tears have a double meaning. She doesn't shy away from acknowledging that women are also people who have sexualities. It’s important to remember that women are allowed to sing about desires, even if it’s sarcastic.
Two songs near the center of the album are “My Man on Willpower” and “Sugar Talking.” Both of these deal with self-restraint. In one, a man seems to have self-restraint and not care for her as much, whereas in another, she attempts to have restraint with a man who won’t change. Acknowledging someone will never change is difficult, and she makes it feel like that is OK.
At the end of “Sugar Talking,” it sounds like she takes the person back. It was wonderful how Carpenter gave both perspectives, and she allowed women to feel they are valid and allowed to make mistakes. Carpenter doesn’t make women feel they need to be perfect to be understood, and this is a unique form of empowerment.
Carpenter was vulnerable in the track “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry.” She struggles with indecisiveness about a person. It demonstrates how we may know our emotional imbalance could harm relationships, but it doesn’t end. Many women don’t know what they want, especially after being treated as if they shouldn’t be wanted, and this song was necessary in bringing it all together.
The final song on the album feels like placing closure on what hurts. “Goodbye” is a track that seamlessly blends ABBA-style melodies with a sense of freedom. This song, being the last, was a good move on Carpenter's part. This song brings together everything as she shows that, eventually, it is OK to move on.
Being a woman who knows their worth is something to be proud of, and this wraps up the story perfectly. She says “goodbye” to the hold a man has on her.
More songs on the album explore feelings of hopelessness with dating, drinking and wishing misfortune on those who have wronged you. The album dives more into the nitty-gritty of trying to love as a woman.
The album, “Man’s Best Friend," brought a touch of controversy and potential dislike; however, the album shows all the confusing pieces of being a woman in a world where it sometimes feels impossible. Womanhood means embracing sexuality, dealing with immature men and living in a world of worry. Carpenter put all the pieces together into an astounding compilation of music.
Kyra Dapore is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
