Sabrina Carpenter's "Man's Best Friend": The Comedy Genius You're Missing

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Reel Love - I'm SO excited to dive deep into what might be the most misunderstood album of the year.

Sabrina Carpenter just dropped "Man's Best Friend," and honey, the CONVERSATIONS this album has started! I've been marinating in this album for days now, and we need to unpack all of it.

First - if you haven't listened yet, this is your warning: Sabrina literally told CBS Mornings that this album is "not for the pearl clutchers." And she was NOT kidding. But here's why that matters and what makes this album so much more complex than people are giving it credit for.

The Album Cover Controversy: It's Not What You Think

Let's address the elephant in the room - that album cover. Y'all, the DISCOURSE! But here's what's fascinating - Sabrina's reaction to the reaction has been incredibly revealing.

In Interview Magazine, she shared that she doesn't create things anticipating reactions - she only does what speaks to her and makes sense with the music. When she came up with the imagery, it was "so clear" to her what it meant. But watching the reaction unfold was "fascinating."

Here's where it gets interesting: In her NPR interview, she explained that her interpretation was about "being in on the control, being in on your lack of control." She talked about how as a young woman, you're aware of when you're in control and when you're not.

But wait, there's more! In her Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe, she revealed something amazing - the hair pull was actually ACCIDENTAL. She wanted a man "delicately playing with her hair" but used five different men because none of them could do it right - they were all nervous and pulling it instead!

So this whole controversy? It was literally about men not knowing how to be gentle! The irony is not lost on me, people!

The truly interesting thing about this is that I've seen reactions from both sides of the ideological spectrum that reflect a lack of curiosity about this cover. The more conservative types are "clutching their pearls," saying she's a bad influence - comments that are truly reflective of the puritanical society this country seems to be clinging to.

And some of my fellow feminist folk are saying she's setting women back decades by "degrading herself" like that on her cover. Which, sorry peeps, reveals your own puritanical conditioning - you see some hair pulling and automatically seem to kink shame, slut shame, and generally fun shame because it makes you uncomfortable.

IF you actually listened to the lyrics and tuned into the messages she's delivering in her songs, you'd see that it's full of satire and dripping with vicious (yet hilarious) commentary on the state of relationships.

The Comedy Genius Angle

So let's talk about that genius comedy angle, shall we?

Variety's review compared Sabrina to classic sex comedies from the '50s, '60s, and '70s - saying no other star is "so dedicated to getting laughs out of the carnage in the battle of the sexes." They called it "musical comedy, through and through."

Rolling Stone noted something brilliant - her producer Jack Antonoff said she's "as intelligent as someone can possibly be, which is why she's funny." He said when she says something profound and then throws it away with a joke, it hits even deeper.

I was trying to remember a pop star that took the approach of sarcasm and humor as much as Sabrina has, and the only one I could think of that even came close was Cyndi Lauper - and even she was too sweet to fall into that category. Sabrina is the only popstar with real comic talent right now. While other artists take themselves so seriously (don't get me wrong - I lap up the seriousness of Taylor and Gracie), Sabrina is out here making heartbreak FUNNY.

It's obvious from this album that it's reflective of her healing after a breakup. This album is about the reflection of her own choices in relationships - how she gets into them and how she gets out of them. It's less spite towards people who hurt her, and more like "I can't be that mad because I'm putting myself in these positions. But I see now how blind I was to the manchild you are."

And that's what makes this album so relatable! How many of us have been in that exact headspace? Like, "I know this is going to end badly but I'm going to do it anyway because it's going to teach me something."

Rolling Stone called her "sad but still horny and altogether self-aware" - and honestly, that might be the most accurate description of modern heartbreak I've ever heard!

Song-by-Song: The Overt Yet Adorable Directness

Let me rapid fire some thoughts on these songs, and then you go have a listen and see if you hear what I hear:

Manchild - What a way to start an album that was literally judged by its cover. If this song isn't enough to make you think differently about what that cover means... I just can't help you.

Tears - All I can say is that this song does as much to normalize female desire as Rocky Horror Picture Show did to normalize drag. Her video for this song being such a nod to Rocky Horror is pure gold, and claps all around for her stance on Trans Rights at the VMAs.

My Man on Willpower - I can only hear this song in the context of her poking at the whole "male retention" movement and its connection to the male loneliness epidemic and incel culture. 'Nuff said.

When Did You Get Hot? - This song totally turns the typical narrative on its head - the one that was so pervasive in '80s and '90s rom coms where the ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Like, it's about time someone took this narrative back for the ladies.

House Tour - This song should be taught in high school sex ed as a way to take the awkwardness out of enthusiastic consent. The directness is both hilarious and refreshing.

Cultural Impact: The Trojan Horse Strategy

Here's what I think is happening - Sabrina is doing what Madonna, Britney, and other pop icons did, but for Gen Z. She's pushing buttons, but she's doing it with intelligence and humor.

But she's also doing something else that you might miss. She's following in the steps of songwriters before her that are just a little irritable with the state of things and use their music to deliver the Trojan Horse of her message in a way that is welcomed in.

I know this is a WILD connection, but I'm thinking of artists like Bob Dylan, who have a viciousness and a somewhat harsh truth to their lyrics, but you don't really know it until you have a 2nd or 3rd listen and have already been hooked by the catchiness of the music.

Whether you love it or hate it, you're TALKING about it. And in pop music, that's the goal.

The Bottom Line

Sabrina Carpenter isn't just making pop music - she's making smart, satirical commentary on modern relationships wrapped in catchy melodies and delivered with a wink. She's the comedian we didn't know we needed in pop music, and she's doing it all while refusing to be put in a box by anyone's expectations.

So what do you all think? Are you team "comedic genius" or team "too much"? Drop your thoughts in the comments!