Photo Credit: Getty Images
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has released the music video for her latest single "Taste," featuring a murderous duel with actress Jenna Ortega. The video, which dropped alongside Carpenter's sixth studio album "Short n' Sweet" on August 23, 2024, pushes the boundaries of dark humor and visual storytelling.
The clip opens with a stark "graphic violence" warning, setting the stage for a Tarantino-esque bloodbath. Carpenter and Ortega engage in increasingly absurd acts of violence over a shared love interest, played by "Halloween" actor Rohan Campbell. From electrocution to dismemberment, the video gleefully embraces its over-the-top premise.
"It's hilariously gruesome," notes music critic Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone. "Despite the maniacal violence, the clip ends with Carpenter and Ortega deciding it's probably best to put aside their differences and find common ground: Actually, it was the boyfriend who sucked."
The song itself, co-written by Carpenter with Julia Michaels and Amy Allen, marks the third single from "Short n' Sweet." Produced by John Ryan and Ian Kirkpatrick, "Taste" follows the success of Carpenter's previous hits "Espresso" and "Please Please Please."
In a recent interview with Variety, Carpenter described the new album as "the hot older sister" of her previous work. "It's my second 'big girl' album," she explained. "When it comes to having full creative control and being a full-fledged adult, I would consider this a sophomore album."
The release of "Taste" coincides with the announcement of Carpenter's "Sweet n' Sour" tour, set to kick off on September 23 in Columbus, Ohio. The North American leg has already sold out 33 arena shows, including dates at New York's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena.
Industry insiders are taking note of Carpenter's evolving artistic vision. Music analyst Sarah Thompson remarked, "With 'Taste,' Carpenter is pushing the envelope both sonically and visually. It's a bold move that sets her apart in the crowded pop landscape."
As "Short n' Sweet" hits streaming platforms, early reactions suggest Carpenter has delivered on her promise of more mature, honest songwriting. "I hope they find whatever they need to guide them through their life through my mistakes," Carpenter told Rolling Stone. "Because I think the more open I am with my experiences, the more that other people are like, 'Oh, maybe that's OK that that happened to me. It's not the end of the world.'"
With its blend of dark humor, catchy pop hooks, and star power, "Taste" seems poised to become one of the most talked-about music videos of the year, cementing Sabrina Carpenter's status as a fearless and innovative artist.
