‘Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)’ Review: Seconds Never Tasted So Good

On the heels of six Grammy nominations and two wins for “Short n’ Sweet,” Sabrina Carpenter released “Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)” on Feb. 14, complete with four new tracks and a Dolly Parton feature on “Please, Please, Please.” Just shy of 15 minutes, the deluxe tracks are a fun expansion on the playful original, delivering Carpenter’s signature witty lyricism and retro pop sound, though with some departures into country.

“15 Minutes” grapples with Carpenter’s influx of fame and her commitment to maximize her limelight, poking fun at those who perceive her as just a dumb blonde and a flash in the pan. The second verse is a sharp response to this perception, and the song’s chorus, “Take a couple bucks, turn ’em into millions / You, you, you know I / I can do a lot in fifteen minutes” affirms her confidence in making the most of her notoriety.

The track’s bright drumbeat along with the shimmering ’80s synths infuse the song with a bubbly energy, linking it sonically to tracks like “Juno” or “Please, Please, Please.” Similarly, the lyrical innuendos in “15 minutes” could easily fit in “Bed Chem,” making it a seamless addition to the original album.

“Please, Please, Please (feat. Dolly Parton)” takes the glimmers of country influence in the instrumentals of “Please, Please, Please” and cranks them up to eleven. The opening features a twangy acoustic guitar, a soft violin, and vocals from Parton, setting the stage for this reimagining of Carpenter’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping single. Unfortunately, though Parton is an icon of country music, her vocals are shaky in the first verse and get lost behind Carpenter’s. The harmonies in the chorus stand out as a brief reprieve from the questionable mixing choices, especially after Parton’s solo lines in the second verse.

The pair did star in a music video for this remix which saw them on a post-breakup roadtrip, spotlighting the strength of bonds between women and building on the story in the first “Please, Please, Please” music video. Though the remix is a touching collaboration between two highly talented artists, it’s unlikely this version will overtake “Please, Please, Please” in popularity.

“Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” is a gentle ballad exploring the exhaustion from the pain of past relationships and the difficulties in opening up to love again. The opening lines of the first verse, “Oh, what I’d give to be / Meeting you as the glass half-full version of me,” describe the struggle to have hope, leading to frustration for everyone involved. The track shows off Carpenter’s vocal skills, with the production even evoking Olivia Newton-John’s “Hopelessly Devoted To You” at times like the chorus. The smooth, drawn-out notes in the bridge and chorus accented by the percussion instrumentals and layered background vocals effectively create a sense of longing and desire, pairing well with the track’s lyrical content.

The penultimate track, “Busy Woman,” is a fun return to Carpenter’s upbeat, playful sound. Carpenter emphasizes that she can be flexible despite her busy schedule, while also not so subtly referencing romantic intimacy. When her love isn’t needed, though, she dramatically brushes off rejection with humor, asserting that she’s a “busy woman” as she sings, “To turn me down, well, that’s just unethical / I’ll turn into someone you’re scared to know.” The song’s sarcasm and energetic pop production are cohesive with the broader album, matching the venom in tracks like “Dumb & Poetic” and “Good Graces.”

“Bad Reviews” is more stripped-back in comparison to the other deluxe tracks, a fitting choice given the song’s discussion of ignoring the doubt and red flags present at the start of a relationship. The repeating line, “still I choose to be in love with you,” at the end of each verse finds Carpenter standing by her potentially questionable choices, returning to themes of turning a blind eye and making excuses for the sake of a relationship. Like “Don’t Smile,” “Bad Reviews” is another mellow ending that doesn’t fit, though the instrumentals maintain some vibrancy that “Don’t Smile” is missing.

The new additions to Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” are an exciting mix of sharp yet humorous lyrics, emotional vulnerability, and lively production. “Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)” remains confidently alluring and reflective, not as short, but perhaps sweeter than before.

—Staff writer Anna Moiseieva can be reached at anna.moiseieva@thecrimson.com.