Sabrina Carpenterhas released theShort n' Sweet(Deluxe)with five new tracks that add to the album’s charm. Carpenter spent years building her career before breaking into the mainstream with her sixth studio album. The original album included her single “Espresso,” which she premiered at Coachella in April 2024. “Please Please Please,” Carpenter’s first #1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100, also made the album.The singer was nominated for six awardsat the 2025 Grammys, includingAlbum of the Year. She ended the night on a high, taking home two of her nominations.
Carpenter also put on a showstopping Grammy performance, bringing artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to their feet. After her successful night, the “Taste” singer took to Instagram to announce her deluxe album would arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day. While the album includes a few never-before-heard songs,Carpenter also got fans excited with a “Please Please Please” duet with Dolly Parton. Carpenter sparked Parton comparisons due to her platinum hair and country twang in songs like “Slim Pickins.“Short n' Sweet(Deluxe)is a sweet treat for fans, and the bonus songs did not disappoint.
5Couldn’t Make It Any Harder
Written by Amy Allen, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, and Sabrina Carpenter
“Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” is a ballad resembling some of the other slow songs onShort n' Sweet. In the song,Carpenter grapples with wanting to be loved but finding it hard to trust anyonebecause of her past relationships. Carpenter sang of one failed relationship on her former albumEmails I Can’t Sendand another onShort n' Sweet, so it’s understandable why she’s lost hope and is anticipating the worst.
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Production-wise, the song is reminiscent of Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” which is fitting, as Carpenter has regularly covered the ballad in her live performances. While the “Espresso” singer has become known for her fun, pop songs, “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” shows her softer, more vulnerable side, proving she has a voice fit for various types of music. It’s a stunning track, but the other new songs onShort n' Sweet (Deluxe)do manage to outshine this particular one.
Written by Amy Allen, Ian Kirkpatrick, John Ryan, and Sabrina Carpenter
The shortest of the deluxe tracks is “Bad Reviews,” another ballad showcasing Carpenter’s more vulnerable side. This time, the singer confesses to being in love with someone she knows it won’t work out with. She admits to ignoring red flags and cutting off any friends who try to talk some sense into her.“Bad Reviews” has similar production to anotherShort n' Sweettrack, “Slim Pickins”, and resembles the work of Dolly Parton and Kacey Musgraves. While Carpenter has cemented herself as a pop star, she knows how to create a classic country song, too.
3Busy Woman
Written by Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff, and Sabrina Carpenter
“Busy Woman” was floating around the internet prior to theShort n' Sweet (Deluxe)release. Carpenter originally released it in August for digital download for a limited amount of time. The singer explained she wrote the song after turning in her album, so she didn’t have time to squeeze it in. Luckily, for anyone who didn’t download the song back in August, Carpenter has officially released it onto the world.“Busy Woman” follows in the footsteps of some other songs on the albumwith its 80s-inspired synth beat and comical lyrics.
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The line “I didn’t want your little b**** a** anyway” shows off Carpenter’s wicked sense of humor in the same way lyrics from songs like “Juno” and “Espresso” do. The song chronicles a romantic situation where Carpenter wants a guy to come over but also makes it known that she can’t wait for him all night. As she says in the title, she’s a busy woman and has better things to do if he wants to keep her waiting. It’s quirky, it’s cute, and it’squintessential Sabrina Carpenter.
215 Minutes
In “15 Minutes,” Carpenter dives into the perils of rising to the top of Hollywood so quickly. However, in typical Sabrina Carpenter fashion, she turns the anxiety into comedy, even throwing in a few innuendos. Throughout the song, she ponders about people coming out of the woodwork, party invitations flying her way, and most of all, what she’s going to do when it’s all over.The lyrics are met with a synth-pop beatlike much of herShort n' Sweetalbum, but there’s also some disco-inspired production.
What makes the song so special is that while Carpenter has talked a lot about working in the industry for years and finding sudden success, this is the first time she’s addressed it in music. Coming off the high of winning two Grammys, the song is even more powerful. Since it’s such a fun song, it could easily fit into her currentShort n' Sweettour setlist. Only one other song on the deluxe edition manages to outshine this one, and it has everything to do with its iconic collaboration.
1Please Please Please Featuring Dolly Parton
“Please Please Please” is arguably one of the best songs on the originalShort n Sweet. When it was released, it was different from the prior single “Espresso” and showcased Carpenter’s range to her newfound audience. With so many comparisons to Dolly Parton,having the country star join her on the song was a brilliant choice. However, just having Parton sing along with her mini-me wasn’t enough for Carpenter. Instead, she introduced new production on the song, scrapping the 80s synth beats for a stripped-down country sound.
The “Please Please Please” duet feels like a passing of the torch moment, as inviting young female singers into the industry has always been part of Parton’s nature.
The women’s voices merge together seamlessly, with Parton harmonizing with Carpenter throughout and taking on the beginning of verse two. Parton has always been a champion for women, cheering on the new female artists who came after her. The “Please Please Please” duetfeels like a passing of the torch moment, as inviting young female singers into the industry has always been part of Parton’s nature.
Along with the duet, the two filmed a music video reminiscent of Old Hollywood crime films. If their crime is making a perfect country duet, then they’re guilty as charged.Sabrina Carpenter has been vocal about how much she loves Dolly Parton, so hearing the two sing together was the sweetest part of theShort n' Sweet (Deluxe).
