Released: 2024
What we’ve got in Sabrina Carpenter’s “‘Espresso'” is a confident, narrative-driven pop anthem, that sees the artist using caffeine imagery and cheeky lyrical jabs to assert her influence and dominance in a romantic relationship. The song is a playful yet assertive proclamation of her effect on a lover, a heady mix of sweet and bold that is characteristic of Sabrina’s pop sensibility.
Let’s start from the top: “Now he’s thinkin’ ’bout me every night, oh / Is it that sweet? I guess so / Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know / That’s that me, espresso.” Sabrina likens herself to an espresso shot—intense, invigorating, and impossible to ignore. This metaphor becomes a running theme in the song, it outlines her irresistible allure and explains why her lover can’t get her out of his head.
In the lines “Move it up, down, left, right, oh / Switch it up like Nintendo,” Carpenter exercises her linguistic whimsy, making a neat nod to the pop culture phenomenon of video gaming. This fun metaphor demonstrates her adaptability and unpredictability in the relationship, keeping her partner on his toes, always guessing.
Continuing to analyze the lyrics, when she sings “I can’t relate to desperation / My ‘give a fucks’ are on vacation,” she implies she’s immune to desperation or despair, showcasing an aloofness that’s akin to a pop queen’s nonchalance. Her “’give a fucks’ are on vacation” suggests that she doesn’t let negative experiences, or people, affect her emotional wellbeing – a great lesson for all her listeners!
Veering into the slightly risqué, Sabrina sings “Too bad your ex don’t do it for ya / That morning coffee, brewed it for ya / One touch and I brand newed it for ya.” Through these lines, she contrasts herself to her lover’s ex, asserting that she’s not just another relationship replacement, but a complete upgrade – refreshing, invigorating, and entirely addictive, like that morning cup of Joe.
In essence, “Espresso” is a celebration of commanding one’s place in a relationship and in the world at large. Sabrina Carpenter, with her whip-smart lyrics and infectious pop hooks, ensures that she’s no mild latte in the realm of pop music. She’s a double shot espresso – bold, irresistible and leaving you wanting more.
