Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso”: A Shot of Sweet, Self-Aware Pop

Sabrina Carpenter has never been afraid to dive headfirst into the world of pop music and show business, she is more than capable of performing and entertaining her audience magically as she went from a Disney Channel star to a self-assured artist whose sonic identity is all her own. Toiling in the footsteps of her 2022 album, “emails I can’t send,” and her successful gig as an opening act for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, Carpenter returns with her hit “Espresso,” a summer anthem overflowing with casual self-awareness and an irresistible drive to dance to.

The track was co-written and co-produced by the accomplished producer Julian Bunetta with Amy Allen alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Steph Jones. The luminous visuals of the mesmerizing music video come from the veteran director Dave Meyers.

“Espresso” is Carpenter’s very first UK Top 10 single, since “Skin” appeared on the charts for the first time in 2021. It entered the UK charts at number 6 and rose to number 5 the following week. “Espresso” reached number one in the UK two weeks after debuting on May 3rd, 2024.

“Espresso” is a masterclass in pop songwriting formed with brilliant melodies that hold the hook in the listener’s mind, using clever, witty lyrics and a bright production that doesn’t let listeners forget the song after just hearing it once; they get addicted. The song’s title slyly creates the context for the lyrical context, with Carpenter taking on the role of someone impossible to deny.

The coffee theme is dominant in the composition, with lyrics such as the following “And now he’s thinking ’bout me every night, oh / Isn’t that sweet? I guess so / Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know / That’s that me espresso.”

The way Carpenter delivers her lines is remarkable as she moves across the musical track filled with synths without any derailment. The vibrancy in her voice adds a certain light-heartedness, which can be easily noticed with the iconic line “I’m working late ’cause I’m a singer,” as she cleverly uses the heavy “R” sound to make the word “singer” memorable.

The production of the song is very engaging too, giving out a very modern sound that fully complements Carpenter’s vocals as it brings different ideas and images alive. The frequent use of the catchy keyboard riff works well to give it a touch of the 70s and a well-constructed sonic texture. The synth elements of the song offer an inventive sound landscape that intertwines current pop themes and a sense of nostalgia.

“Espresso” might not be ground-breaking lyrically, but that’s what adds to its charm. We are talking here about a stellar form of pop music that includes delightful melodies, humorous lyrics, and a tremendous production deal, which together make up a wonderfully diverting summer song.

For Sabrina Carpenter’s fans, “Espresso” is an excellent new song that has become part of her music collection representing her as a mature artist and her ability to create positive references and fresh songs that suit a wider public. It’s this song’s captivating energy and joyous nature that makes it the star of summer.