12 Jun 2025

Sexy cover, controversy… What to expect from Sabrina Carpenter’s new album

American singer Sabrina Carpenter is set to release her album Man’s Best Friend in August 2025. After the release of the hit single Manchild, the album’s cover has already sparked controversy. Numéro dives into what’s likely to become one of the summer bangers.

  • By Violaine Schütz.

  • While everyone is still playing her last album, Short n’ Sweet, released in August 2024, on repeat, American pop star Sabrina Carpenter is already ushering in a new era. The latter has just announced on social media the release of a brand-new album on August 29th, 2025, along with a whole new aesthetic.

    Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter’s new record

    Titled Man’s Best Friend, the album reportedly draws its inspiration from Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac), Dolly Parton, and Donna Summer. That suggests a mix of rock, disco, and country influences. Introduced by the single Manchild, released in June 2025, the album is expected to revolve heavily around themes of love, or sex.

    Sabrina Carpenter, who won two Grammy Awards last February, also revealed the cover of her seventh album. And it’s very sexy and already causing a stir. It shows the singer on all fours in an evening gown, while a man is pulling her hair.

    For many people online, the image is degrading, portraying a woman as the submissive object of a man. As a matter of fact, the pose of the pop star resembles that of an animal, staged in what looks like a BDSM-inspired scene. The album title itself seems to suggest the singer is casting herself as someone devoted to men.

    Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild (2025).

    An album cover that stirs up controversy

    Yet, the Espresso singer is hardly the submissive type pandering to the male gaze. Although she often presents herself wearing lingerie and high heels for photoshoots or music videos, her lyrics are usually sharp, humorous, tongue-in-cheek, and full of irony.

    The 26-year-old artist openly mocks the men she used to date and portrays them as entirely incompetent in Manchild. The track is clearly an anthem for girls who have had their share of disappointing boyfriends. Her concerts often carry that same energy.

    The singer’s sexual freedom has become a source of empowerment for young women, who show up to her concert dressed like her. So, there’s every reason to expect that Sabrina Carpenter will once again deliver tracks made for a girls night out.

    Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, coming out on August 29th, 2025.