On Feb. 14, two very different artists released new albums that quickly captured the attention of fans: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet – Deluxe” and Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.” Though the albums come from different genres, they both offer unique sounds and personal touches that make them stand out.
Sabrina Carpenter, known for her work as an actress and as a singer, released the deluxe version of her album “Short n’ Sweet,” adding more songs that show her growth as both a person and an artist. These new tracks gave listeners a deeper understanding of who Sabrina is and her evolving sound.
“I’m a huge Sabrina Carpenter fan,” freshman Aaliya Dini said. “My favorite was probably either ‘Couldn’t Make It Any Harder,’ ‘Busy Woman’ or “Slim Pickens.” My least favorite was ‘Please, Please, Please’ with Dolly Parton. It sounded like [Dolly] was creeping from under my bed, it was so bad.”
In the deluxe version, Carpenter dives deeper into themes of self-love, discovery and the challenges of growing up in the spotlight. While she is known for her pop sound, she incorporates indie influences, giving the album a fresh and exciting new direction.
Similarly, Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s collaboration album, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U,” was released on the same day. Unlike Carpenter’s album, this project embraces the R&B and hip-hop genres that both artists are known for. However, fans who listened to both albums had markedly different reactions to this one.
“It felt very rushed and it wasn’t very creative,” freshman Camila Garcia-Blanco said. “There wasn’t much detail behind it, there wasn’t much story behind it. I don’t wanna be rude or anything, but [Drake] didn’t even sing. It felt like I was listening to a robot.”
The album came after both artists had been working solo for a few years, and it showcases their chemistry as both collaborators and individual artists. The title gives a hint at the album’s vibe, with themes of romance, partying, and the complexities of relationships. However, some songs on the album didn’t sit well with all fans, particularly the song “MEET YOUR PADRE,” as some felt the Spanish was poorly executed, especially considering that neither Drake nor PARTYNEXTDOOR are native Spanish speakers.
“What was that?” freshman Oscar Chavarria-Zuniga said.“The one with Chino Pacas, I hated it. Which surprised me because Chino Pacas has good songs, like with Peso Pluma, so I don’t know why it came out like that” Garcia- Blanco said. “I feel very gentrified because it really sucks how he speaks my language.” Chavarria-Zuniga added.
Despite their differences, both albums showcase the unique artistic voices of their creators. Sabrina’s “Short n’ Sweet Deluxe” feels more personal and raw, while Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s album is more about enjoying the moment and having fun. Both bring something distinct to the table and reflect the artist’s overall careers and evolving concepts in the music industry.
“I like when artists give more than just music,” Garcia-Blanco said. “When there’s more focus on the detail and there’s meaning not only behind the music, but also in the looks, the outfit, the music, the videos, the whole thing. I feel like that, for me, makes a great artist.”
