Wow, this album from Sabrina Carpenter is rough to get through. Normally, I pride myself on understanding context and decoding lyrics, but with this release, I just couldn't tell if she was being serious or trying to be funny. The lyrics come off as weird, obsessive, and crass—there's really no other way to put it. It’s not just one song either; it’s a recurring theme throughout the album, where I lost count of how many times she says something that feels completely wrong or just downright creepy.

Take "Taste," for example. There's a line where she sings, "You’ll just have to taste me when he is kissing you." What even is that? Who thinks like this? It’s uncomfortable and odd, and honestly, it doesn't make for great listening. Then, on the track “Juno,” she references the movie Juno—the one where a teenager unexpectedly gets pregnant—and suggests she wants her man to “Juno” her. It's a bizarre and poorly expressed sentiment, and it comes off as both confusing and inappropriate. These kinds of lyrics set a terrible example for young listeners, especially considering how often she’s been marketed to a younger demographic.

It's clear she’s trying to express her feelings about relationships, but there’s just no subtlety or grace in her writing. It's as if she's throwing random, edgy thoughts together without any real consideration for how they might land with her audience. Frankly, it just feels awkward and off-putting. I was honestly surprised to hear that this is the same artist who gave us the catchy summer hit "Espresso." That track had energy and charm, while this album feels like a complete departure from anything relatable or cohesive.

And then there’s “Slim Pickins.” In this song, Sabrina sounds like the female equivalent of a neckbeard—basically, an adult man or teenage boy who exhibits characteristics like social awkwardness, underachievement, and a general sense of pretentiousness. The lyrics are cringe-worthy, and her attempt to be relatable or edgy misses the mark completely. It's just hard to digest.

Now, the music itself isn't all bad. If we ignore the lyrical content for a moment, there are some decent moments. There’s a mix of upbeat, catchy tunes and some laid-back, acoustic tracks. Sabrina's vocal performances aren't necessarily terrible either. At times, she uses a whispery, soft vocal style that’s become popular in recent years. This approach can be hypnotic, and she can create a soothing atmosphere with her voice when she tones it down.

But here's the thing: if Sabrina could just clean up her lyrics and approach her songwriting with a little more maturity, subtlety, and grace, this album could’ve been so much better. I think she has the potential to make a really great record, especially given her vocal talent and musical instincts. Unfortunately, the awkwardness in her lyrics and some of the uncomfortable, borderline weird sentiments really drag this album down. If this album is a snapshot of the dating landscape in 2024, then honestly, it's pretty bleak out there.