Sabrina Carpenter has been no stranger to controversy ever since her public love triangle with Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett in 2021. Despite this, her previously released album, Short n’ Sweet, was a commercial success and a pop staple of 2024.

However, Short n’ Sweet’s success did not overshadow criticism of Carpenter’s raunchy persona, explicit lyrics, and potentially patriarchal messaging. The release of her newest album, Man’s Best Friend, has worsened these complaints tenfold. Even prior to the album’s publication, fans and critics alike raised an eyebrow at the album cover Carpenter teased on her Instagram: a photo of Carpenter kneeling with her hair being held (seemingly pulled) by a man just out of frame. Carpenter was immediately labeled anti-feminist by a large crowd across social media.

Carpenter’s humorous yet vulnerable depiction of repeated heartbreak in the face of stereotypical male avoidance in Man’s Best Friend can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Some view it as an honest telling of modern dating and an attempt to take back her power, while others claim her lyricism illustrates complicity in patriarchal dynamics. Despite heated debates around the morality of Carpenter’s work, she’s nevertheless been met with another commercial success with hits such as “Manchild” and “Tears.” Songs such as “Nobody’s Son,” “When Did You Get Hot?,” and “House Tour” have gained significant traction on TikTok as well.

While Man’s Best Friend proves to be met with varied reactions, Carpenter doesn’t seem to be fazed. Rather than scrap the original album cover, she cheekily released alternative covers, “Approved by God.” Rather than clean up her lyrics, she warns, “pearl clutchers,” against consuming the album. There are so many different ways to approach the sensation that is Sabrina Carpenter, but one thing’s for sure: she’s not changing for anyone.

Eliana Bell

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