Sabrina Carpenter's 'Man’s Best Friend': Edgy Hits or Just Ripe for Critique?

SABRINA CARPENTER BARES ALL IN NEW ALBUM - BUT IS IT JUST A DISTRACTION FROM HER TRUE TALENT?

In a bold move, Sabrina Carpenter has dropped her seventh album, "Man's Best Friend", and it's clear she's trying to shake off her wholesome Disney image once and for all. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter has been making waves in the music industry with her edgy new sound, which is a far cry from her bubblegum pop roots.

Carpenter's big break came on the teen comedy "Girl Meets World", but she's since transitioned to a more mature and provocative style. Her previous album, "Short n' Sweet", was a raunchy affair that spawned hit singles like "Espresso" and "Please Please Please". And with "Man's Best Friend", she's taking it up another notch.

The album's title track is a nod to her relationship status - or lack thereof. Carpenter has been open about her struggles with dating, and the lyrics are full of tongue-in-cheek references to sex and relationships. But don't get too comfortable; this girl means business. She sings about being submissive and dominant in equal measure, making it clear that she's not afraid to push boundaries.

The album sleeve is a provocative image of Carpenter kneeling in a black mini dress, with her hair being pulled by a faceless man in a suit. The pic was meant to be satirical, but some fans felt it was demeaning to women. Carpenter has since released three alternative covers, so there's something for everyone.

Musically, the album is a mixed bag. Some tracks, like "House Tour", are catchy and upbeat, while others, like "My Man On Willpower", feel undercooked. But make no mistake - this is not an album for the faint of heart. Carpenter is trying to shock and provoke, and she's not afraid to get a little risqué.

Collaborating with producer Jack Antonoff (who's also worked with Lana Del Rey, Gracie Abrams, and Taylor Swift), Carpenter has created an album that's equal parts country, R&B, disco, and pop. It's a bold move, but one that pays off in spades on tracks like "Sugar Talking", a soulful ballad that showcases Carpenter's vocal range.

But what's really going on behind the scenes? Sources close to the singer say she's been under pressure from her record label to produce something edgy and provocative. And while it's clear Carpenter is determined to shake off her wholesome image, some critics are calling her out for trying too hard.

"Man's Best Friend" may be a bold statement, but it's also a reminder that Carpenter still has a lot to learn about her craft. As one insider put it: "Sabrina thinks she's edgy now, but let's see how long this act lasts."

SUEDE MAKE A SWAGGERING RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM "ANTIDEPRESSANTS"

It's been two years since Suede released their critically-acclaimed album "Autofiction", and fans have been eagerly awaiting their next move. But frontman Brett Anderson has revealed that the band almost took a very different path - one that would have seen them collaborating with a ballet company on a concept album.

Anderson explained that after touring in support of "Autofiction", he and his bandmates wrote new songs with a view to working with a ballet troupe. But they were so fired up by playing live again after the pandemic that they changed tack and went back to their rock roots.

The result is "Antidepressants", an album that's equal parts nostalgic, raw, and energetic. The lead single, "Disintegrate", is an uplifting guitar anthem about learning to live with one's own mortality - a theme that resonates deeply with Anderson himself.

"We got the bit between our teeth, and completely changed what we were originally going to do," he explained in an interview with The Scholarly Note. "We basically went and wrote a whole new record. Suede are a band, not an art project."

The album's not all about nostalgia, though - there's also a lot of humor on display, particularly in tracks like "Sweet Kid", which is about Anderson's relationship with his 12-year-old son.

But what really sets "Antidepressants" apart is its energy and vibrancy. The band is clearly having the time of their lives, and it shows in every track. Even the ballads are infectious - take "June Rain", for example, which features a beautiful spoken-word section that adds an extra layer of depth to the song.

Of course, no Suede album would be complete without a bit of drama. The band's residency at London's Southbank Centre has been getting rave reviews, but some critics have accused Anderson and his bandmates of being "over-the-hill". Not so, says Anderson - who insists that Suede are still the raw, energetic rock 'n' roll band they've always been.

With a UK tour starting in January 2026, it's clear Suede are back and better than ever. And with "Antidepressants", they're proving that even after two decades, they still have what it takes to make a statement.

THE SCHOLARLY NOTE

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