Short ‘n Sweet (Deluxe)- Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album may be short, but it’s certainly sweet. Short ‘n Sweet (Deluxe) came out on Feb. 14, 2025, and made for a fantastic Valentine’s Day gift. The deluxe version features five new songs that all blend seamlessly with the original tracklist. The songs range from bubbly, vivacious tracks like “15 Minutes” to slower, more emotional ones such as “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder”.
Some songs are brand new, while others—like “Busy Woman”—have been highly anticipated by fans. I first heard “Busy Woman” on a podcast on Spotify before its official release. My favorite track on the album is “Bad Reviews”. The lyrics are instantly lovable, and I think many people, specifically in my generation, can relate. In fact, I listened to it 24 times within the first week of release—it’s also the perfect closer to the album.
Another standout is “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder,” which reminds me of Olivia Newton-John’s “Hopelessly Devoted To You”—another beloved classic. The album’s infectious melodies and catchy lyrics make it easy to sing and dance along to.
Although Short ‘n Sweet (Deluxe) is nearly perfect, I wasn’t sure how to feel about “Please Please Please (Feat. Dolly Parton)”. I was excited when I heard they were collaborating, but their voices didn’t mesh well with the song. I really wish I could grow to like it. If they had worked together on “Slim Pickins”—another track from the album—it might have been a better fit given Parton’s background.
That aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the album and think that Sabrina Carpenter nailed the completion of Short ‘n Sweet.
MAYHEM- Lady Gaga
“So many different genres, so many different styles, so many different dreams” is how Lady Gaga describes her latest album, Mayhem. True to its title, the album features 14 tracks that span a wide variety of genres and styles.
Mayhem is known to break many “music rules,” yet Gaga somehow makes it all work. “I love to break genre, and I love to explore music,” she said in an interview. The album is an eclectic mix of synth-pop beats, as heard in “Abracadabra,” and slower, more emotional tracks such as “Blade of Grass.”
The album kicks off with “Abracadabra”, a high-energy opener that sets the tone for Gaga’s vision. It ends with the beloved “Die With A Smile,” which helped market the album and became wildly popular. It was the fastest track to reach one billion streams and quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Some songs remind me of Charli xcx’s album “Brat,” released this past summer. My personal favorite is “How Bad Do U Want Me”. I love the bridge, where Gaga wrestles with her identity versus her public persona. The title even carries a double meaning.
The media often glamorizes fame, but Gaga contradicts this and pushes back on the narrative in “Perfect Celebrity,” a track that highlights the downsides of constant scrutiny and the impossibility of perfection.
Overall, I liked “Mayhem,” although I connected with some songs more than others.
eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead- Ariana Grande
After a four-year break from songwriting, Ariana Grande returned to the music scene and stunned fans with “eternal sunshine”. The album topped the charts and marked a new era in her music.
A year later, she released the deluxe edition: “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead,” featuring six new songs. Honestly, I’m not sure how they didn’t make the original cut—they fit the album’s ambiance beautifully.
The deluxe portion opens with “intro – (end of the world) – extended.” The original track was already a fan favorite, and the extended version is even better. I always felt the original was too short.
My favorites are “twilight zone” and “Hampstead.” I love the soft beat of “twilight zone,” and the lyrics are catchy and easy to sing along with. “Hampstead” feels like closure-both to this album and a chapter in Grande’s life. In an interview, she said it was her favorite song she’s ever written. It’s subtle but strong lyrics align perfectly with the melody.
The album as a whole has an ethereal vibe that complements Grande’s voice beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead,” and can’t wait for her to release more music.
So Close To What- Tate McRae
With its catchy lyrics and infectious energy, Tate McRae’s So Close To What quickly climbed the charts, reaching the top of the Billboard 200 shortly after its release.
The album features hits like “It’s ok I’m ok” and “Revolving door,” which have been all over social media and the radio. I first heard “Revolving door” on TikTok and was intrigued enough to give the whole album a listen. After the first playthrough, I wasn’t sure how to feel, but it grew on me.
The album leans into pop and R&B, and it’s addictive to listen to. It balances vulnerability with a sense of strength through carefully crafted lyrics. McRae also features rap verses from Flo Milli and The Kid LAROI.
While some songs feel overpopulated on social media, it’s easy to hear why they’re so popular. My favorite tracks are “Greenlight,” “Like I do,” and “bloodonmyhands” (featuring Flo Milli). I think that Flo Milli’s contribution blends perfectly with the song’s upbeat tempo and lyrics.
Overall, I enjoyed So Close To What and look forward to more dynamic music from Tate McRae that fans can connect with.
