While it was her acting career that launched her into fame, music was always on her mind - she started recording music with Disney as early as 2013. Her debut EP ‘Can't Blame a Girl for Trying’ was released in 2014.
Featuring acoustic-driven pop and juvenile lyrics, her early work showed potential but stayed within the safe confines of Disney’s family-friendly brand. Her first album, ‘Eyes Wide Open’ (2015), followed a similar path with catchy yet relatively simple pop songs that resonated with a young audience but only hinted at the depth she would later explore.
A turning point in her sound came with ‘EVOLution’ (2016), where she moved beyond the traditional Disney pop style. Experimenting with electronic elements and more complex themes, songs like ‘Thumbs’ signalled a shift toward a more mature and experimental direction. This continued with ‘Singular: Act I’ (2018) and ‘Singular: Act II’ (2019), albums that introduced the more confident and sultry pop persona that we’re familiar with today. Tracks such as ‘Almost Love’ and ‘Sue Me’ reflected her growing ability to blend infectious hooks with sophisticated production while addressing themes of self-empowerment, relationships, and personal challenges.
As her music evolved, Carpenter also faced personal and professional challenges. In 2021, she was thrust into the spotlight following speculation that she was involved in the real-life drama surrounding Olivia Rodrigo’s hit ‘drivers license’, where she was the woman that Rodrigo’s ex had left her for. Rather than shying away from the attention, she channelled the experience into her music, releasing ‘Skin’, a response track that allowed her to reclaim the narrative amidst the flurry of hate she received. Her resilience in handling public scrutiny and using it as creative fuel demonstrated a newfound maturity, paving the way for her most critically acclaimed work to date.
Her 2022 album ‘emails i can’t send’ marked a defining moment in her career, embracing raw storytelling, intricate production, and emotional depth. Moving beyond the radio-friendly sound of her earlier work, she crafted a record that felt deeply personal and sonically refined. Tracks like ‘because i liked a boy’ and ‘Nonsense’ blended vulnerability with clever lyricism, earning her widespread critical acclaim and proving she had outgrown the “Disney star” label. Coupled with her engaging live performances and authentic social media presence, this era solidified her reputation as a serious artist with a unique voice.
Her latest album, ‘Short n’ Sweet’, is her best yet—she’s fully embraced her musical persona, balancing spicy with silly. This plays out beautifully at her live shows, well documented by her thousands of devoted fans, where her dry humour and risque outfits have become trademarks. With such a strong career and iconic catalogue, it’s hard to imagine how she could outdo herself in her next move, but if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that she always will. Watch this space.
Zahra Hanif
Image: Lyndsia Alexandre-Alexis
