Man’s Best Friend vs. Short N’ Sweet: Which is Better?

As I am writing this review on the release day of “Man’s Best Friend,” the seventh album by singer Sabrina Carpenter, I can say that even though I do think a lot of music nowadays sounds the same, she is trying to stay out of that box which I really like. Oddly enough, I prefer her first album more than her newer tunes, but that might change soon. For this review, I will be comparing them to the tracks on her last album, Short N’ Sweet to see the changes. I had reviewed Short N’ Sweet before but after listening to it a hundred times over the summertime, I have a lot more to say about it. 

Sabrina Carpenter has been in the music industry for a while and has had her ups and downs like we all have. She can also be very outward with her lyrics which makes people underestimate her as a woman, but this album will change people’s minds. 

Taste vs. Manchild- 

Personally, “Manchild” is my favorite. These songs are COMPLETELY different. “Taste” is about still feeling someone else from the past in a new relationship and Manchild (rumoured to be about Barry Keoghan) is about how men barely have brains. Beat-wise they are different as well. Taste is more poppy and obviously on the album cover, is inspired by Dolly Parton’s 80’s look and sound. Which is more enjoyable to me than Taste. Comparing music videos as well, Taste is inspired by the movie “Death Becomes Her” and Manchild as previously stated, inspired by an old Dolly Parton looking video. Personally my favorite is Manchild because of the old sounding instruments and it is a great opening song. 

Please Please Please vs. Tears 

“Please Please Please” is about her ex Barry Keoghan (what a surprise) and how she did not want what was put out about him to affect their relationship and for it to be true. “Tears” is about how she finds men who are responsible and kind-hearted men attractive and it feels empowering to her sexuality. These music videos are so different. The “Please Please Please” video is her and Barry and his character gets her into all these bad situations but she stays with him anyway. There are actually two versions, but this is the original. The “Tears” video is inspired by Rocky Horror Picture Show. “Please Please Please” is my choice out of the two because it reminds me of when I started listening to Sabrina but the tune is also very catchy. 

Good Graces vs. My Man on Willpower

“Good Graces” is about, of course her ex, about how at the time she wanted to tell the whole world about how, sort of like Please Please Please, if he messes up and gets out of her good graces, she will dump him. “My Man On Willpower” is about how her partner will do anything for her based on how he feels; but then he changes and just checks out of the relationship. I like “Good Graces” a lot better than "My Man On Willpower" because it is more of an upbeat song but with opposite lyrics, and for the other song, the beat matches the lyrics. 

Sharpest Tool vs. Sugar Talking 

These songs have completely different concepts; “Sharpest Tool” is about how the guy she was talking to ghosted her, and “Sugar Talking” is about how the man she’s talking to talks all sweet but it lasts like a day and she is not falling for it. “Sharpest Tool” is the best out of the two for me because it has always been one of my favorites, and personally I find the writing in this song to be better and more descriptive. 

Coincidence vs. We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night 

You’re gonna see a pattern with my comparison when I rank these songs haha. “Coincidence” is about how she keeps seeing her man talk to other women and is untrustworthy. With this, “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” is pretty self-explanatory, as they keep fighting and breaking up and then getting back together. I will EMPHASIZE how much I love “Coincidence.” This has been one of my favorites since I listened to Short N’ Sweet for the first time and that will never change. So that is an obvious choice for me. 

Bed Chem vs. Nobody’s Son 

“Bed Chem” is about how at the time, she felt sensually empowered by Barry Keoghan; now not so much. The beat is pretty sensual, some might think. Her vocals are pretty much whispers but it matches the song. “Nobody’s Son” is about there are no men in the world that are worth her time or believe. I enjoy “Bed Chem” more because it is a play on words and I honestly find it funny after they broke up. The beat is more my vibe and “Nobody’s Son” just seems a bit too sad for my taste. 

Espresso vs. Never Getting Laid

There is one thing in common with these too songs, they have a banging chill beat that gets you movin’. “Espresso” is her play on words saying that her partner stays up thinking about her as if she was caffeine. “Never Getting Laid” is basically her telling the haters that they should shut their critical mouths. Basically more play on words. “Espresso” is honestly so good, I tell people I don’t like this song but I am obviously lying when it’s my number one song of 2024 on Spotify. It’s so bad how good it is, I mean, yes, the lyrics are dumb but the beat is so catchy you can’t get away from it. 

Dumb and Poetic vs. When Did You Get Hot? 

“Dumb and Poetic” is about how the man she is with acts all poetic and lovely when really he is putting up a front, and is just an unemotional man. “When Did You Get Hot,” is about her running into a friend or friend of a friend realizing now they are attractive. (Rumored to be about basketball player Devin Booker, but not confirmed). My personal choice is “When Did You Get Hot,” because I find it a little funny just based on the lyrics, but “Never Getting Laid” and this song has a similar vibe to it. 

Slim Pickins vs. Go Go Juice 

“Slim Pickins” is a country inspired tune about how there aren’t many good men in the world anymore, sort of like “Nobody’s Son.” “Go Go Juice” is based on her feeling that with the inspiration of alcohol, she would end up calling her exes. “Go Go Juice” is my preferred song here because it’s more fun and not as sad as “Slim Pickins,” and the beat is cool.

Juno vs. Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry 

“Juno” is based on the 2007 film of the same name about a teen getting pregnant, and this is basically just her expressing the feelings of wanting a kid, yet this song is quite sensual lyrically. “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry” is basically just saying that she’ll make him worry in the relationship instead of the other way around. I like “Juno” better because it’s a bit silly and the beat is fun. Might be my number one on Spotify in 2025, I have a feeling.

Lie to Girls vs. House Tour 

“Lie to Girls” is basically Sabrina saying that whoever she was with at the time, unknown man, just lied to everyone before her, as well as her to get with them. “House Tour” is a completely different upbeat tune about a house tour. Many might believe it is about her body but in the song she states there are no innuendos so who knows. “Lie to Girls” is such a hard hitting song especially “If they like you, they’ll just lie to themselves,” you can hear the bitterness in the song against her ex. 

Don’t Smile vs. Goodbye 

These are two very good ways to end an album. “Don’t Smile” is about how she hopes the listener cries (or her lover) because the album or the relationship is over, not because the event occurred. “Goodbye” is basically calling out her ex for saying he was the one who initiated the ending even if he tries to get her back. Personally I can’t pick one, I love them both and “Goodbye” is so clever. She uses different languages for saying goodbye which is pretty iconic. 

After comparing the songs, I think Short N’ Sweet is the obvious winner. Yes, many people talk about it and act like it’s her only album. But there’s songs you can’t get away from, like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” These will start her legacy in the music industry, no matter what people think.

In the words of Sabrina “Sayanara, adios!”