By Christine Garcia
Sabrina Carpenter sprinkles love, joy and romance into the holidays for the release of her first Christmas EP “Fruit Cake” on Nov. 17 through Island Records. This is Carpenter’s first EP since nine years after “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying” released in 2014.
Carpenter wrote five out of the six songs on the EP, alongside Amy Allen, Irving Berlin, Julian Bunetta, Steph Jones and John Ryan. The total length of the EP is 15 minutes and 44 seconds long.
The former Disney star set a mature tone in this EP through her witty wordplay. Carpenter is known for her flirty energy and freestyle punchlines.
She intertwines scenes of heartbreak and Christmas cheer into the lyrics, with upbeat instruments that play in the background. The EP uses a variety of classic Christmas instruments such as the sleigh bell, saxophone and piano.
“A Nonsense Christmas”
The first song of the EP was written by Carpenter, Bunetta and Jones. “A Nonsense Christmas” is a holiday remix of her song “Nonsense,” on her previous album “emails i can’t send.” In this song, Carpenter feels passionate about a significant other and she feels anxious around him. As a result, she rambles the lyrics.
When I listened to this song, I found the lyrics catchy. I was impressed by her use of rhetoric and how the words naturally flow off the tongue. However, it’s not surprising because Carpenter is the queen of wordplay. She writes lyrics like “I’m out here trimming the tree / I caught that holiday glee / My true love gave it to me.” In addition, the sleigh bells in the background stood out to me which set a warm Christmas mood.
“buy me presents”
Carpenter, Ryan and Jones wrote this song. This song highlights the materialism that is normalized during the holidays. The narrator notes their self-worth based on measuring how many presents their significant other gets them.
The jazzy saxophone creates a mellow scene of an opening to a New York City montage, featuring snow trickling down and smoky chimneys. Ryan, the producer, utilizes the background ad-libs to make the song sound like a Christmas Carol. This was my favorite track out of the six songs featured. I feel as if I am sitting near a fireplace whilst drinking a warm, rich glass of hot chocolate when I listen to this song. However, this song doesn’t use much wordplay; often repeating phrases or words like “Spend your cookie dough, dough, dough.”
“santa doesn’t know you like I do”
Carpenter, Allen and Bunetta wrote this song. The narrator expresses deep emotion and connection towards their significant other. Though Santa may share the joy of giving, he doesn’t understand them like the narrator.
After “buy me presents,” this song features a slower beat that sounds like a dreamy wonderland. I can envision slow dancing to this song on a snowy Christmas Eve. It features a more melodic, bass-heavy and vintage Christmas sound, in comparison to the other two tracks, which are pop-sounding.
“cindy lou who”
Carpenter, Allen and Ryan wrote this song. The song explores themes of angst, jealousy and heartbreak, as the narrator is reminded of their ex-boyfriend’s new relationship, during the holiday season.
Embodying holiday heartbreaks, this ballad shifts to a vulnerable tone in comparison to the past tracks that are more playful. I loved this song because it shares a bittersweet Christmas, further proving Carpenter’s ability to explore a multifaceted journey of joy and sorrow. The sad lyrics, “There’s red and green everywhere, but I’m so blue”, were supplemented with the rich sounds of piano and cello, setting the stage for a lonely Christmas.
“is it new years yet?”
Carpenter, Allen and Ryan wrote this song. This anthem outlines the feeling of dissatisfaction that people may feel during the holidays as they yearn for something more meaningful.
The song gave me a futuristic and retro vibe because the producer, Ryan, utilized an electric piano and electric violin. The instrumental background reminds me of Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night”, as they both have an electric and funky feel to them. The chorus is catchy and upbeat. However, I was most attracted to her use of humor and satire in the song. I particularly like the line “Santa, Santa, why do you hate me? / I’m a gift, look how God made me.”
“white xmas”
Berlin wrote this song. Carpenter pays homage to the original song “White Christmas,” which highlights a cheery and snowy Christmas.
This last track is the best way, Carpenter decided to end the EP. Carpenter’s smooth and crispy voice, singing to the jazzy, classical tunes in the background. I was stricken by Carpenter’s soft voice when she sang the runs and hummed to the beat. The soothing sounds of her voice are perfect for Christmas tree decorating.
I’m not a dedicated fan of Carpenter, but I’m sure I’ll be one after listening to this EP. Overall, this EP was very enjoyable to listen to. Carpenter did not disappoint as she explored a winter wonderland of emotions, rhetoric and sounds. Carpenter provides Christmas joy with her use of witty banter. With this EP, Carpenter can solidify her role in pop culture.
Her ability to express how she feels through the use of literary devices impresses me, whilst I groove to the different genres of Christmas music. So, it’s no surprise that I’ll put it on repeat for the holidays.
