04 September 2025
Marco Gandolfi
Pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter joined Apple Music's Zane Lowe for an exclusive interview, offering a deep dive into her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend. In the conversation, Carpenter detailed the creative process behind the record, her collaborations with hitmakers Jack Antonoff, John Ryan, and Amy Allen, and her candid thoughts on the public reaction to the album's cover art.
Carpenter described the album as an unexpected yet necessary chapter, a reflection of a period in her life where she emerged from a difficult situation "a lot less bitter" than she anticipated. She noted the album's opening track, "Oh, boy," as a self-aware nod to the cycle of heartbreak, but emphasized the project's overall message of resilience and not letting pain prevent you from living.
The conversation also touched on her decision to release a new album so soon after the success of Short n' Sweet. Carpenter explained that she felt a compelling urge to document this moment, and that the creative process felt like "lightning." She also addressed the backlash over the album's cover art, revealing that the image was intended to be "cheeky and airy and playful" and that she was in full control of the shot. She and Lowe discussed the generational divide in how her art is received, noting the humor and irony in a "pop star" being criticized for a playful display of sexuality.
Carpenter, who also co-produced the album, spoke about her strong opinions on every detail, from the production to the vocal delivery. She shared her excitement about embracing her natural vibrato, a technique she was discouraged from using in her early career, and her intentional use of a more theatrical, narrative approach in her performance. She noted that this artistic freedom was made possible by the trust she has with her collaborators.
