Sabrina Carpenterhas released her new single “Manchild” just in time for summer, but some reactions to her newmusicare not favorable. The pop star is currently on a break from herShort n' SweetTour, but that hasn’t stopped her from maintaining her spot as a top pop star of the moment. Carpenter decided to release a new single and music video, and later announced a brand-new album.
Carpenter’s fans love the new song and are especially intrigued by its video. The music video seemingly takes inspiration from various movies, something Carpenter has done before, especially in her “Taste” music video. The video is also very ’70s and has been compared to the ABBA jukebox musical,Mamma Mia. However, there has been some debate about whether it’s too similar to theShort n' Sweetera, among various other criticisms.
“Manchild” Builds Off The Success Of Short N' Sweet’s Style & Sound
The Song Was Written Around The Same Time As Short N' Sweet
While “Manchild” may be newly released, it’s not a new song. Carpenter admitted in her Instagram post that she wrote the song with co-writers Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff on a random Tuesday, a little while after finishingShort n' Sweet. Whileit initially seemed like “Manchild” was still a part of theShort n' Sweetera, Carpenter recently revealed her new album,Man’s Best Friend, is coming out on August 29th. However, the song still fits in with herShort n' Sweetsound and builds upon the 2024 album.
There’s nothing wrong with an artist finding a sound that works for them and sticking with it, at least for now.
Tracks like “Please Please Please” or thedeluxe track “Busy Woman"sharethe same ’80s-inspired synth production as “Manchild.“However, “Manchild” also has some country inspiration, especially in the post-chorus instrumental. While Carpenter is mainly a pop artist, she also incorporated country aspects intoShort n' Sweetera tracks like “Slim Pickins” and “Bad Reviews.”
Unfortunately, Carpenter has received some criticism for this, as some music fans feel all her songs sound the same. However, there’s nothing wrong with an artist finding a sound that works for them and sticking with it, at least for now.
It’s Clear That “Manchild” Sets The Tone For Man’s Best Friend
Carpenter’s Song Suggests What The Album Will Be About
“Manchild” seems to be the perfectlead single for Sabrina Carpenter’snew album,Man’s Best Friend. While she’s getting a lot of backlash for her album cover, it seems the whole thing is just satire. “Manchild” itself is a verysatirical song suggesting thatMan’s Best Friendis going to be the same way. Not only does the song hint at what the album is going to sound like, but it also gives a hint towards what the songs will be about.
“Manchild” is obviously about how Carpenter is tired of dating men who act like children, and expect her to do everything for them as if she is their mother. However, the song is also satire becauseSabrina Carpenter knows she is partly responsible. No one can make her date the men that she chooses to date, but in the song, she pretends as though she has no control over the situation. During the “Manchild” bridge, Carpenter sings, “I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them.”
While there may be some truth to the men pursuing her first, it’s still her choice to get into the relationship. Also, the “Manchild” music video suggests differently, asCarpenter is the one chasing down the men that she keeps getting into relationships with. There’s a good chance that Sabrina Carpenter’sMan’s Best Friendalbum cover, which has also created so much controversy, is actually satire too. Carpenter is being pulled by the hair by a man who is only half in the photo.
Why so sexy if so dumb?
And how survive the Earth so long?
If I’m not there, it won’t get done
I choose to blame your mom
It seems as though Carpenter iscommenting on the way women are treated like dogs by men, instead of being respected and valued. That certainly fits with the message and music video for “Manchild.”
There’s a specific scene in the music video that occurs in the beginning, where a seagull is standing on a tortoise’s back, being transported. The bird would get to its location a lot quicker if it just flew there, but it’s weighing itself down by relying on the tortoise. This seems to be a metaphor for howCarpenter allows the men she dates to hold her back, and this will likely be a theme inMan’s Best Friend.
“Manchild” Still Has Potential To Be A Song Of The Summer
Carpenter’s Song Has Performed Well So Far
As summer approaches, music fans have been waiting forthe song of the summerto drop. Last year,“Espresso” took over the world when Sabrina Carpenter dropped it in April.However, this year, the song of the summer seems less obvious. While many of Carpenter’s fans felt “Manchild” could be the song of the summer, it hasn’t quite taken off the way “Espresso” did.
However,“Manchild” did debut at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, giving fans hope that it could become the song of the summer. Now, with all the debates about theMan’s Best Friendalbum cover, Carpenter also has enough acclaim for the song’s popularity to grow. It also deeply resonated withSabrina Carpenter’s mostly female fanbase, so even if it isn’t the song of the summer, it’s still a massive hit.
