SingerSabrina Carpenter’smusic has hadits metaphorical thumb resoundingly on the pulse of the pop-accented music landscape, especially since her sixth studio LPShort n' Sweetarrived a year prior. Depending on what you read,it may (or may not) be the end of the album’s era, especially with her seventh record,Man’s Best Friend,due out August 29th.
The rollout ofMan’s Best Friendhas already attracted a fair share of controversy (especially related to the album’s cover), but that hasn’t slowed Carpenter down (and has evenbrought out her sense of humor about the situation). Her popularity was again on full display over the weekendduring her closing performance at the music festival Lollapalooza, in new/unexpected ways.
Sabrina Carpenter Continues To Uplift Classic Artists
This Lollapalooza set was a big moment for Carpenter, who returned to the Chicago stagefor the first time since 2023 to headline Sunday evening’s conclusion. The performance was also her on-stage, live finale beforeMan’s Best Friendarrives and integrates its way into her concert setlist (much like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour andThe Tortured Poet’s Department).
In addition to performing classic staple songs fromShort n' Sweetas well asMan’s Best Friendchart-topping single “Manchild,” the biggest surprise of the night was Carpenterbeing joined on-stage by legendary genre-spanning Chicago band Earth, Wind, & Fire. Carpenter and the group seamlessly merged to deliver faithful adaptations of band hits “Let’s Groove” and “September.”
Having Earth, Wind, & Fire share the scenery with her wasn’t the first time that Carpenter has gone back into her musical tastes to throw shine on classic acts. Earlier this year, at aShort n' Sweetshow in London’s Hyde Park, 80s rock icons Duran Duran joined Carpenterfor a surprise performance of their hit “Hungry Like The Wolf.”
Before these performances, Carpenter had also collaborated live with the likes of singer-songwriter Norah Jones, veteran pop songstress Christina Aguilera, andperformed concert covers from the likes of Madonna and ABBA. She even recorded a deluxe edition of herShort n' Sweetsong “Please Please Please” with country music matriarch Dolly Parton.
These Artists No Doubt Match Her Next Album’s Sound
While there’s no guarantee of what exactly Carpenter has in store for the soundscape palette ofMan’s Best Frienduntil it drops in full on August 29th, her live performances seem to tease something more than just what lead single “Manchild” has offered so far. Though that’s not to say that “Manchild” is just simple cookie-cutter radio-pop fare, either.
TheMan’s Best Friendintroductory track feels immersed in a smooth, pop-dipped, country-inflected tone that doesn’t miss out on Carpenter’s amusingly wry sense of humor, rather akin to Rilo Kiley solo artist Jenny Lewis' solo catalog. Carpenter’s prior albumShort n' Sweetalso threw intouches of folk, disco, rock, and R&B genre influences into the overall mixture.
So why notMan’s Best Friendas well? Carpenter’s stage show has not only sharpened and added more versatility since then, but bringing in on-stage guestslike Duran Duran and Earth, Wind, & Fire gives an idea of where her creative head is going. Much like her compatriot (and former headline partner) Taylor Swift, Carpenter keeps adding layers to herself.
Carpenter’s Album Trailer Also Provided A Glimpse At What’s To Come
While an initial album trailer for Carpenter’sMan’s Best Friendwas released about a month ago, providing initial context for what would lead into debut single “Manchild,“another teaser trailer was provided for the LP after the singer walked off-stage at Lollapalooza over the weekend. While the trailer was also brief, it did provide further insight on the record.
Over the sound of a glittering section of strings as well as a fragment of Carpenter vocalizing to an as-yet-unknown song, momentary video clips of the artist played alongside a man of unknown identity. This might be connected to the initialMan’s Best Friendalbum cover that drew so much controversy and discourse,as well as a possible music video.
In between the portions of the video, the tracks for the LP were also shown from back to front, though no further information was provided as far as any guest stars or musicians who may have played a part in the gestation of these songs.It’s known that famed producer Jack Antonoff co-produced “Manchild” with Carpenter, but nothing beyond that.
WillMan’s Best Friendreceive a second single in the weeks to come before the full album becomes available? Are there further mysteries about the album that are still to be unwrapped, as excited fans await to hear more news? Amateur social media sleuths (at least) will be waiting in anticipation.
Though ifSabrina Carpentertook a page out of Swift’s book when it comes to album rollouts,the music world may not be done getting officially teased yet. And not just through breakdowns and theories presented on TikTok.
