10 Essential Pre-‘Short n Sweet’ Sabrina Carpenter Songs: Critic’s Picks

The production on this track from Carpenter’s 2015 debut splits the difference between the nostalgic whimsy of Taylor Swift’s Fearless and the wide-eyed hope of fellow ex-Disney stars Aly & AJ. “We’ll Be the Stars” was released in the middle of Carpenter’s run as Maya Hart on Boy Meets World spinoff Girl Meets World, and nicely set the stage for a family-friendly music career.

Carpenter’s sophomore album debuted a newfound songwriting voice: she co-wrote three of the 12 tracks on her debut, but had more of a hand in writing EVOLution, on which she has writing credits on nearly every track. “Feels Like Loneliness” stands out sonically as well, combining a jazz influence with straightforward pop that allowed for the singer to explore her vocal prowess.

Also from her sophomore album, “Thumbs” showcased the early iteration of what would become Carpenter’s audacious style choices. This track continued to explore the subtle jazz-pop combination present throughout the album, with Carpenter actually quasi-scatting on the chorus; it also reflects on the idle nature of falling into an everyday routine and missing out on key details in life.

“Sue Me” is a fan favorite deep cut, as Carpenter wrote the song about being sued by her former management team when she turned 18 years old, equating the experience of parting ways with them to a breakup. This energetic kiss-off still makes the occasional appearance in Carpenter’s live set, and set the stage for more tongue-in-cheek, punny lyricism to come.

“Paris” sports a moodier melody than most of Carpenter’s early work, and the lyrics capture a fear of commitment, unlocking a new level of vulnerability for Carpenter as a songwriter. Listeners later learn why Carpenter feels she “can’t love right” on the title track of Emails I Can’t Send, beginning a thread of narrative continuity that would last for years to come.

This rare collaboration on a Carpenter album is a standout, as the singer’s vocals blend well with Saweetie’s rap verse. The track features a surprisingly effective hip-hop setup, coupled with lyrics that depict a relationship that just might turn reckless — but the singer is just fine with her hand in the mess.

This song subverts its title through clever lyricism: instead of getting back together with someone, Carpenter sings about an ex that she wants to send back to wherever she found him. While the production still reflects 2010s-era Hollywood Records, this track is an indicator of the thoughtful pop writing that would become paramount on Carpenter’s next album.

One of the most viral-ready tracks on Emails, this song sonically swells as a response to the fallout of Carpenter’s alleged relationship with Joshua Bassett, shortly after his own alleged relationship with Olivia Rodrigo. “Because I Liked a Boy” served as a response to the often harsh public treatment of women in music, and the parasocial nature of online fandom, as the final punch is delivered to her critics — all she did was like a boy.

After becoming a viral hit of sorts, “Nonsense” has remained a crowd-favorite Carpenter song: at every live performance, the singer improvises the final verse, including references to the tour stop she is playing at. The outros’ online-friendly quality are in part what drove the overall success of Emails, but the sumptuous track succeeds on its own, telling a tale that many listeners know all too well – having a crush that leaves them “thinkin’ nonsense.”

The controversial “Feather” music video was filmed in part at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the B.V.M. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and featured Carpenter attending the funeral of her exes while donning a black mini dress and veil. Funny that a lighter-than-air song got Carpenter in some hot water: with lyrics describing the airiness after leaving a relationship that overstayed its welcome, “Feather” is a masterclass in 2020s pop music, and the foundation of what has now become Carpenter’s signature sound.