The recent release of Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, ‘Man’s Best Friend’ has been stirring online with a lot of mixed emotions from listeners. The collective opinion of the album is that it could be better and there is a mix of good and bad songs, just like any other album. However, the majority of the discourse is from the titles of the songs, the art and the recent photoshoots Carpenter has participated in.
The album ‘Man’s Best Friend’ follows the theme of immature and incompetent men from a young woman’s point of view, often depicting a vulnerable Carpenter that seems like she’s out of control. However, she infrequently has bursts of authority that overpower men. These moments are mostly communicated through the two music videos in the album, rather than the lyrics. The other videos are simply lyric videos, some of them depicting a vulnerable Carpenter at the hands of men whilst others depict one that’s in control.
Aside from the discourse surrounding the music videos and how many claim that the lyrics don’t match Carpenter’s actions – the majority of album critics complain about the album and vinyl art, as both to depict Carpenter in scenes that many see as demeaning. The album cover is Carpenter on all fours with her hair being pulled up by someone dressed in a suit, and the vinyl depicts a drawing of her on a bed with a man at her feet touching her feet and calves. Both depictions have brought those who dislike the album to an uproar, stating that its objectifying women for the male gaze, and that its communicating a harmful message to the overall consumer.
Meanwhile, those in support of Carpenter have come to her defense, stating that the images of both her album cover and vinyl are modern depictions of magazines and shows from the 1930s-1950s. For example, the depictions of women getting their hair pulled, usually with a text essentially stating ‘keep her in her place’ beside the photo used to be a common occurrence in older magazines,as well as in old shows, which often depicted men touching a woman’s leg or feet to show romance. With that being said, many also say that arguably the album is breaking these standards in a more satirical light, with the common occurrence of Carpenter ‘killing’ men in each music video.
The collective majority of people agree that the album cover was supposed to be satirical, with Carpenter hinting at it in interviews. However, those against the album point out that the music wasn’t fully living up to the possibility it could have had for something that was supposed to be satirical.
However, another group of people believe that the discourse with the album is what comes with the transition of a child star to adult, with the production of mature music and content. Carpenter originally entered the show business through Law and Order: Special Victims Unit in 2011, playing a young child victim and other innocent roles. Some say that people are still seeing her as a little girl,despite the fact that she is growing and taking on projects more geared to adulthood.
It is important to note that Carpenter has not made any comments giving into the backlash and has only continued to support her album. She has enforced the satirical aspect of the album and also stated how no one in her inner circle had any type of issue with the album or its art. Her response has accumulated both hate and support from many consumers, with some saying the responses thus far have seemed dumb down and insincere, but with others defending the responses Carpenter has given.
The album ‘Man’s Best Friend’ by Carpenter has stirred controversy online for not only its music but also its cover and vinyl art. The album has left consumers generally conflicted and divided, with some saying that it’s satirical and others saying it’s setting women back. Carpenter has only defended the album, and doesn’t seem to be fazed by much of the backlash. Perhaps this is just another phase and stepping stone in her adult music career, and she, just like many other artists before her, will move on and continue putting out work.
