The big releases you need to hear from the week ahead.
From dominating the charts to hitting the triple-A list, 2024 has seen Sabrina make good on her promise of becoming a true alpha in the Main Pop Girlie leagues. With her new album ‘Short n’ Sweet’ about to drop, this BRAT summer is about to get a shot of saccharine sass.
Words: Dan Harrison.
Trends flare and fizzle with the speed of a TikTok scroll, but over the last couple of years, Sabrina Carpenter has emerged as a beacon of wit, authenticity, and unabashed pop prowess. Her 2024 has been nothing short of a masterclass in navigating the treacherous waters of fame while remaining true to her vision. With the release of her latest album, ‘Short n’ Sweet’, Carpenter hasn’t just stepped into the spotlight – she’s commandeered it, using it to cast a glow on the intricate balancing act of personal expression and mainstream appeal.
Gone are the days when pop was dismissed as the vapid younger sibling of ‘serious’ music. Carpenter’s rise is a testament to the genre’s capacity for depth, nuance, and yes, even a healthy dose of self-awareness. A declaration that pop can be both infectiously catchy and intelligently crafted.
The road to ‘Short n’ Sweet’ wasn’t without its bumps. In an industry often criticised for its cookie-cutter approach to hitmaking, Carpenter found herself in the familiar position of having to fight for her artistic choices. The battle for ‘Espresso’ to be the album’s lead single shows that actually, the suits don’t know everything. “I was completely alone in wanting to release ‘Espresso,’” Carpenter revealed to Variety. “Not so much from my immediate team. But when it came to ‘the powers above,’ there was a lot of questioning behind whether it made sense.”
It’s a narrative as old as the music industry itself – the plucky artist versus the cautious execs. But Carpenter’s story takes a refreshingly triumphant turn. ‘Espresso’ didn’t just prove her right; it blew expectations out of the water, topping charts and running up streams everywhere it went. It’s the kind of vindication that lesser artists might lord over their doubters, but Carpenter wears her success with a grace that belies her years.
This isn’t Carpenter’s first rodeo when it comes to creative control. Reflecting on her previous album, ‘Emails I Can’t Send’, in a 2023 cover feature with Dork, she said, “I didn’t feel like there was anybody limiting what I could or couldn’t do or say… I was able to steer the ship.” It’s a sentiment that echoes through ‘Short n’ Sweet’, an album that feels like the work of an artist fully in command of her craft.
And what a craft it is. Sabrina in 2024 defies easy categorization, blending pop sensibilities with funk grooves, synth-pop sheen, and touches of retro R&B. But it’s in her lyrics that Carpenter truly excels. There’s a sharpness to her writing, a wit that cuts through the sometimes saccharine world of pop music like a hot knife through butter.
Take ‘Espresso’, for instance. It’s a pop song about pop songs, a meta-commentary wrapped in an irresistible melody. When asked about its earworm of a chorus, Carpenter quipped to Rolling Stone, “I decided to put that burden on other people.” It’s the kind of self-aware humour that sets Carpenter apart in a field often accused of taking itself too seriously.
But Carpenter isn’t all quips and clever wordplay. She also has her share of introspective moments, none more poignant than ‘Please Please Please’. It’s a song that explores the complexities of love and longing with a deftness that feels both universal and deeply personal. This ability to balance light and dark, to dance between the playful and the profound, is what makes Carpenter such a compelling figure in 2024’s musical landscape.
This duality in Carpenter’s music isn’t new. It’s something she’s been honing for years, a skill she’s acutely aware of. In that same 2023 interview with Dork, she said, “I also deal with pain with humour. Those things coexist in my life. Humour has saved me from not taking things so seriously or letting things really ruin me.” It’s a philosophy that allows Carpenter to tackle weighty themes without losing the spark that makes her music so engaging.
Of course, in the age of social media and 24/7 celebrity coverage, an artist’s music is only part of the story. Carpenter’s ability to navigate her public persona with the same nuance and care she brings to her music has been notable. Her relationship with actor Barry Keoghan, confirmed in the music video for ‘Please Please Please’, has been subject to the kind of intense scrutiny that would make many artists buckle. But Carpenter has handled it with a poise that speaks volumes about her growth as both an artist and a public figure.
It’s a far cry from the Sabrina Carpenter who once felt too young to be in the spotlight. In that 2023 conversation with Dork, she reflected, “[I was] too young. When your voice hasn’t gone through puberty, maybe you shouldn’t be making music.” It’s a candid admission that speaks to the pressures she faced in her early career, pressures that she has now learned to navigate with grace and, yes, that trademark humour.
But perhaps the most exciting thing about Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 is the sense that this is just the beginning. In the 2023 Dork interview, she said of her musical journey, “It’s helped me trust myself a lot more, and I’ve opened myself up to a lot more possibilities now.” This openness to possibility, this willingness to keep pushing herself creatively, suggests that Carpenter’s best work may yet still be ahead of her.
In an world that often seems to value style over substance, Carpenter has managed to have her cake and eat it too. She’s created music that is both commercially successful and able to stand up to any fair critical assessment, that appeals to the masses without sacrificing her artistic integrity. She’s taken risks, both musically and personally, and they’ve paid off in spades.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that Sabrina Carpenter is on the AAA list to stay. As 2024 unfolds, she stands as a testament to the power of sharp wit and sharper songwriting, proving once again pop music can be both a mirror and a window, reflecting our experiences while offering glimpses into new possibilities. She might be short, but the future is looking decidedly sweet.
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Fontaines D.C. refuse to be predictable. ‘Romance’ sees the band take their sound into uncharted territories, moving beyond the post-punk labels that have followed them. Setting an expansive tone, the album dives into everything from the metallic grind of ‘Starburster’ to the reflective calm of ‘Desire’. This isn’t a departure; it’s an evolution — one that embraces genre fluidity without losing the raw emotional core that has always defined their work. With ‘Romance’, Fontaines D.C. are pushing the boundaries of what guitar music can achieve in a way few other bands could.
illuminati hotties – POWER
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be hit by a sugar-rush hurricane, ‘POWER’ by illuminati hotties is your answer. Sarah Tudzin’s third album is a sonic ride that’s as exhilarating as it is introspective. ‘Can’t Be Still’ kicks things off with frenetic energy, but it’s the title track that delivers the emotional punch. Here, Tudzin masterfully balances the light and the dark, turning everyday moments into something epic. ‘POWER’ is an experience, one that captures the chaotic, beautiful mess of life.
Malice K – AVANTI
When you listen to ‘AVANTI’, it’s clear that Malice K has no interest in making things easy for the listener. This debut is a heavy, unrelenting journey through the chaos of life, delivered with the kind of raw emotion that makes you sit up and take notice. Tracks like ‘Halloween’ and ‘The Old House’ showcase a vocal range that shifts from guttural growls to whispered confessions, creating an atmosphere that’s as unsettling as it is compelling. ‘AVANTI’ doesn’t offer any easy answers, but it does provide a cathartic release — proof that sometimes, the hardest paths lead to the most rewarding destinations.
Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk
Magdalena Bay have turned pop into something futuristic with ‘Imaginal Disk’. A synthpop journey through the future of humanity, as seen through the lens of a character named True, it follows a story as she undergoes a “consciousness upgrade”, a narrative that plays out over the course of the album’s 12 tracks. It’s as infectious as it is innovative. From the retro-futuristic beats of ‘Death & Romance’ to the dizzying layers of ‘Tunnel Vision’, the duo have created a soundscape that’s both playful and profound. There’s a narrative here, but it never overwhelms the music — instead, it enhances it, making ‘Imaginal Disk’ not just an album, but a journey you’ll want to take again and again.
MOTHICA – Kissing Death
MOTHICA is at her most introspective, turning her battles with mortality and trauma into something deeply resonant. The concept of death as a romantic partner threads through the album, explored with haunting beauty on tracks like ‘Mirage’ and ‘Last Laugh’. Musically, it’s a blend of hard rock and ethereal shoegaze, creating a sound that’s both heavy and otherworldly. This isn’t simply about confronting darkness — it’s about finding strength within it. ‘Kissing Death’ is a therapeutic journey, offering solace in the shadows.
Stand Atlantic – WAS HERE
‘WAS HERE’ by Stand Atlantic is a record of contrasts. While the band’s pop-punk roots are still evident, the album sees them embracing a heavier, darker sound. ‘WAKE UP, SIT DOWN, SHUT UP’ opens with an intensity that sets the tone, while tracks like ‘GIRL$’ (featuring PVRIS and Bruses) take the band into new, experimental territory. Yet, despite these shifts, the catchy hooks that have defined their career remain intact, providing an anchor amidst the sonic experimentation. ‘WAS HERE’ is the sound of a band pushing their boundaries while staying true to their essence.
Zeal & Ardor – GREIF
With ‘GREIF’, Zeal & Ardor have crafted an album that’s as unsettling as it is captivating. Manuel Gagneux leads the band through a soundscape where black metal meets blues, spirituals, and everything in between. Tracks like ‘Clawing Out’ and ‘Fend You Off’ are drenched in darkness, yet there’s a precision to the chaos that makes every moment feel deliberate. Inspired by the mythical griffin of Gagneux’s hometown, ‘GREIF’ is an album that defies categorization — a dramatic, genre-blurring masterpiece that commands your full attention.
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