Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend is finally here. Whilst it’s climbing the charts, not all fans are that impressed. Instead of wagging tails, the release has created a lot of backlash and split opinions. From cover controversy to brutal album reactions, here’s why some of her diehard fans are dragging her.
‘I’m not over Short n’ Sweet’
@farahisdelusional i’m sorry it’s never gonna leave my brain now #sabrinacarpenter #mansbestfriend #videoviral #foryoupage #viralvideo
Was it doomed from the start? Creating a whole album in as little as one year is hard, let alone when it’s in the shadow of her most successful one. During this era, Sabrina created a relatable, funny yet vulnerable persona – with heartbreaking songs such as emails i can’t send and because i liked a boy.
This vibe shift and lack of candid feel, hasn’t worked for many. One TikTok user put this down to the lack of lyricism. They wrote: “It’s the lyrics for me. As someone who normally not cares about lyrics, they are so bad.”
The original album cover ‘was… a choice’
via Island Records/ BRYCE ANDERSON
I don’t think it’s possible to mention Sabrina Carpenter and not mention her highly controversial album cover. As one fan has claimed “I usually enjoy her humour and self awareness but this was … a choice.” The internet erupted when she released this album, dividing fans. It seems now matter how you spin it, Sabrina has pissed off a lot of people, and hasn’t delivered with empowering lyrics to defend it.
Listeners think the lyrics are ‘surprisingly vanilla’
@ughnotjas Favorite track so far is tears yall will be getting updates when i’ve fully digested the album, ALSO JACK DID AMAZING like not complaints production wise #mansbestfriend #sabrinacarpenter #xyzbca #fypシ
This album steps away from the funny, relatable persona which she became known for during her Short n’ Sweet era. Fans believe the “over-polished” tone to this album is missing the wit and raw authenticity that we once fell in love with. One TikTok user claimed the whole controversy of the album cover “feels spineless”. Another thought “her music lacks the radicalism necessary to subvert the imagery she employs”. Seems like the controversy wasn’t worth it x
Is she ‘catering for the male gaze’ too much?
Whilst many fans tried to justify her controversial album cover, claiming it was “ironic” and an example of “female gaze”, many aren’t buying it. As one Reddit user pointed out: “She’s dancing around in lingerie and simulating sex positions – I have no issue with that, do what you want, but how is that not for dudes?”
Others deplored her image as “bimbo feminism”. Her music is for the girlies, but as one TikTok user has claimed “there’s a way to be sexually forward as a woman while still being female centred. Re: Megan Thee Stallion.”
Featured image via Instagram @sabrinacarpenter and Island Records/ BRYCE ANDERSON
