10 Essential Pre-'Short n Sweet' Sabrina Carpenter Songs: Critic's Picks

The production on this track from Carpenter's 2015 debut splits the difference between the nostalgic whimsy of Taylor Swift Fearless and the wide-eyed hope of fellow former Disney stars Aly & AJ. “We'll Be the Stars” was released in the middle of Carpenter's run as Maya Hart Boy meets world spinoff Girl meets worldand beautifully set the stage for a family musical career.

Carpenter's second album debuted a new songwriting voice: she co-wrote three of the 12 tracks on her debut, but had more of a writing role Developmentin which he has writing credits on almost every track. “Feels Like Loneliness” also stands out sonically, combining jazz influence with straightforward pop that allowed the singer to explore her vocal prowess.

Also from her second album, “Thumbs” featured an early iteration of what would become Carpenter's bold stylistic choices. This track continued to explore the subtle jazz-pop fusion that was present throughout the album, with Carpenter actually almost playing on the chorus. It also reflects the inertia of falling into a daily routine and missing essential details in life.

“Sue Me” is a fan favorite, as Carpenter wrote the song about being sued by her former management team when she turned 18, equating the experience of breaking up with them to a breakup. This dynamic kiss still pops up occasionally in Carpenter's live set and sets the stage for more intense, funny lyricism to come.

“Paris” has a moodier melody than most of Carpenter's early work, and the lyrics capture a fear of commitment, unlocking a new level of vulnerability for Carpenter as a songwriter. Listeners later learn why Carpenter feels she “can't love right” in the title track Email I can't sendstarting a thread of narrative continuity that would last for years to come.

This rare collaboration on a Carpenter album stands out, as the singer's vocals pair well with Saweetie's rap verse. The track features a surprisingly effective hip-hop setup, paired with lyrics that depict a relationship that can get reckless – but the singer is fine with her hand in the mess.

This song subverts its title through clever lyricism: instead of getting back together, Carpenter sings about an ex who wants to send him wherever he finds him. While the production still reflects 2010-era Hollywood Records, this track is an indicator of the brooding pop writing that would become paramount on Carpenter's next album.

One of the most viral ready tracks E-mailthis song swells sonically in response to the fallout from Carpenter's alleged affair with Joshua Bassett, shortly after his own alleged affair with Olivia Rodrigo. “Because I liked a boy” acted as a response to the often harsh public treatment of women in music and the anti-social nature of online bigotry, as the final punch is delivered to her detractors — all she did was boyish.

After becoming a sort of viral hit, “Nonsense” has remained a Carpenter crowd favorite: at each live performance, the singer improvises the last verse, including references to the tour stop she's playing. The internet-friendly quality of the outros is partly what drove its overall success E-mailbut the sumptuous track succeeds on its own, telling a story many listeners know all too well – having a crash that leaves them 'thinking nonsense'.

The controversial The “Feather” music video. was partially filmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the BVM in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and featured Carpenter attending her exes' funeral wearing a black minidress and veil. Funny that a lighter song landed Carpenter in some hot water: With lyrics describing flexibility after leaving a relationship that overstayed its welcome, “Feather” is a masterclass in 2020s pop music and the foundation of what it has now become Carpenter's signature sound.