Sabrina Carpenter
The other day, I found myself scrolling through TikTok when Sabrina Carpenter’s tour videos popped up on my feed. For a moment, I couldn’t help but think, how did this become so popular? It’s not that I don’t get why people love her—Sabrina’s got the whole package. She’s young, talented, relatable in that perfectly curated way, and clearly has the type of charisma that makes her an instant hit on social media. But every time I try to listen to her music, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all a bit... hollow.
Sabrina Carpenter’s career started as a Disney Channel star, and she’s always carried that polished, approachable persona that makes her a crowd favorite. She’s had a good run of acting gigs, but it’s her music that’s catapulted her into pop culture stardom. Her transition from TV to pop music has been, to put it bluntly, impressive. She’s crafted a brand that speaks directly to the teens who want their pop stars relatable but with a sprinkle of “untouchable” mystery. But the music itself? That’s where I start to lose interest.
Her songs are catchy, there’s no denying that. But catchiness doesn’t always translate to depth. With tracks like “Skin” and “Thumbs”, Sabrina leans into familiar themes: empowerment, self-discovery, and heartbreak. They’re the kind of songs that could be playing in the background of a playlist at a high school party—perfectly acceptable but nothing that really sticks with you. The melodies feel safe, the lyrics seem like they were picked off a template that’s been used one too many times, and every hook, no matter how energetic, has a touch of predictability.
It’s frustrating, because Sabrina’s voice is strong and versatile, and she’s clearly capable of more. The production quality on her tracks is slick, which is no surprise given her mainstream status, but it ends up feeling like a slick mask for songs that don’t have much to say. Her music wants to be that anthemic, relatable pop we crave, but it often settles into the background, blending into a sea of similar sounds.
Her breakout single “Sue Me” was supposed to be a statement. And sure, it hit that rebellious note some people needed in the moment, but was it memorable? For me, no. It didn’t stand out in the way a true pop hit should. It’s not that she lacks talent or potential; it’s just that she’s playing it safe, choosing the path that guarantees radio play and viral moments without straying from the middle of the road.
The real irony is that, as an artist, Sabrina Carpenter is extremely smart with how she plays the game. She’s all over social media, connecting with her fans, feeding them just enough behind-the-scenes content and soundbites to keep them hooked. But when it comes to the music itself, the substance isn’t there. Maybe that’s not what matters to her target audience, and that’s fine. But for those of us who like our pop with a little more substance, Sabrina’s hits are more like the ones you forget as soon as the next big single drops.
There’s a charm to Sabrina Carpenter, for sure. She’s the kind of artist who makes you think she’d be great to hang out with; someone who’d make you laugh with her quick wit and catchy social media presence. But as a musician, she’s caught in that pop music trap where style and image eclipse the content. And until she finds a way to break out of that cycle, I’ll continue to watch her rise with curiosity, but I won’t be tuning in to the music itself.