Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Cover Isn't Going Down Well With Fans

Grazia USA

a day ago

Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage during the Short N' Sweet Tour held at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 2024 in New York City.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Rolling Stone via Getty Images)
Sabrina Carpenter is no stranger to a bit of controversy. Honestly, it's a part of her charm.
Over the last year, her Short 'n' Sweet tour had many critics clutching their pearls, mostly due to her risqué outfits and tongue-in-cheek choreography that imitated some X-rated activities. Nonetheless, the singer remained undeterred, telling those who had a problem, 'Just don't come to the show.'
Now, it looks like her latest album won't be bending to naysayers, and is already drawing criticism before even being released, thanks to some bold cover art.
This Wednesday, June 11, the singer announced the upcoming release of her new album Man's Best Friend over Instagram. This reveal comes less than a week after the surprise drop of her single 'Manchild' (which will be on the album). Image via Instagram.com/sabrinacarpenter
With the announcement, the pop star dropped what looks to be the album cover, which features her on all fours in a black mini dress and stilettos. A mostly off-camera suited figure looms over her, clutching a fistful of the singer's signature golden locks. Accompanying the cover reveal was a second image, featuring a close-up of a fluffy dog wearing a collar that read, 'Man's best friend.' But it isn't the latter image that fans are taking issue with.
Carpenter's pop identity and predominantly female fan base have been built on an unapologetic embrace of female sexuality and empowerment. However, some feel this latest cover misses the mark, particularly considering the current state of political affairs and women's subjugation.
'This cover isn't landing the way you thought it would right now. The timing…' commented one fan. 'This better be the most feminist, woman empowering album ever with a cover like this, Sabrina,' said another. Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage during the Short N' Sweet Tour held at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Rolling Stone via Getty Images)
On the other hand, there were those fans who didn't see an issue.
'It's Sabrina Carpenter… her whole shtick is satire,' and 'Men treat women like dogs. That's the joke,' two supporters commented on the intended irony. Another stated, 'There's nothing wrong with the album cover in my opinion. She's an adult… she might actually be into it?'
The context of the cover's controversy may be surmised by a comment from one fan on the supposed intentions behind the art, stating, 'Any irony is lost because the people who are supposed to be offended by this actually want this.'
Carpenter's true intentions behind the cover choice will not be clear until the album drops this August. However, if the rest of the album is similar to Manchild, then 'dumb' but nonetheless 'sexy' men may be of note, in which case the reception of any intended irony may be blurred in today's climate. Image via Instagram.com/sabrinacarpenter