Sabrina Carpenter’s new album is interesting. It’s a refreshing album with a 36-minute runtime. You have catchy pop songs like Taste and Espresso (released earlier), but songs like Sharpest Tool and Coincidence emphasize her vocals, allowing her to show off her growth as an artist. The lyrics, of course, are about her past relationships—a constant topic that almost every artist has highlighted. Although unoriginal, her “pizzazz” makes it an enticing listen. Whether it’s the use of synths, acoustics, or just a catchy pop beat, it makes Carpenter’s sound, well, her sound.

However, there are some issues with the project. Yes, the production has her style, but it blends and becomes overdone. The chorus of Good Graces sounds almost identical to No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande. The project might have Carpenter’s subtle nuances, but the more I listen, the more I realize the album is just a culmination of previous artists’ albums who, frankly, did it better. Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia is coded all over this, becoming incredibly prevalent in songs like Bed Chem.

Carpenter’s career has leveled up in the last year or so, finally escaping the shadow of being only known as a Disney star. The release of Espresso may have allowed her to reach this A-list status, but this album determines whether or not she will maintain it. With the likes of celebrities like Jenna Ortega in the Taste music video, I’m sure Carpenter will get all the promotion she needs.

The album serves its purpose—a catchy pop album that her audience will gladly listen to on repeat. Although I might not necessarily be the target audience, and it’s not the best thing I’ve heard by any means, I still enjoyed listening to it; I expect her audience to love Short n’ Sweet. I’m giving the album a 7/10. Catchy hooks, solid production, and although the album’s theme might be unoriginal based on predecessors, the album truly is short and sweet.