On June 11, 2025, Sabrina Carpenter surprised fans during an Instagram Live by revealing her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, set for release on August 29 via Island Records. Alongside the announcement, she unveiled the album cover and dropped the lead single, “Manchild,” igniting a wave of excitement and online discourse.
“Manchild,” released on June 5, blends country-pop and synth-pop underpinned by Jack Antonoff’s production. The track, described as a “scathing, sparkly summer anthem,” humorously targets immature ex-partners, showcasing Carpenter’s sharp songwriting and vibrant musical style. The song quickly climbed to No. 1 in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland. Social media buzzed with praise—one fan wrote, “oh sabrina the men clocker that you are… you never miss.”
The album cover, however, sparked controversy. It portrays Carpenter on all fours in a short black dress and stilettos, with an unseen figure gripping her hair—an imagery that critics argue is misogynistic, triggering, and reinforcing the male gaze. Supporters counter that it’s satirical, a provocative reclaiming of sexual agency. A representative from Glasgow Women’s Aid called it “regressive,” while fans defended the visual as “ironic… satire.”
Carpenter addressed the backlash on X (formerly Twitter), clapping back to one critic who asked, “Does she have a personality outside of sex?” with “girl yes and it is goooooood.” In a Rolling Stone interview, she noted that while viral performances like her “Juno” choreography often highlight her sexuality, the album also contains emotionally candid and introspective moments.
The cultural debate around Carpenter’s cover reflects larger societal discussions on sexual expression and feminism. As Fast Company and The Guardian observe, the divide mirrors tensions between viewing the imagery as empowerment versus reinforcing dated stereotypes—highlighting persistent “internal conflicts in modern feminism” and critiques of pop culture objectification.
Despite the surrounding controversy, industry insiders remain optimistic. Man’s Best Friend follows Carpenter’s Grammy-winning album Short n’ Sweet, and the involvement of acclaimed producers like Antonoff and songwriter Amy Allen signals a confident evolution in her sound. Fans are already buzzing, with some speculating “Manchild” might become this summer’s anthem.
Looking ahead, Carpenter hinted at more surprises, teasing that “different sides of the album” will unfold in the coming months. Meanwhile, conversations around provocative visuals continue as she considers banning phones at future concerts to foster immersive fan experiences, showing her commitment to controlling how her work is received and experienced.
The album’s August release will be accompanied by various formats—vinyl, CD, and cassette—with physical pre-orders available now. Man’s Best Friend aims to be Carpenter’s most daring and multi-dimensional work yet, a testament to her evolving artistry and willingness to stoke both admiration and debate.