Home · Songs · Sabrina Carpenter · Espresso
From album
Short n’ Sweet
Sabrina Carpenter · 2024 · Track 7
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The story behind
The song Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter is not just a pop track with a catchy hook: it’s a statement in the form of a guitar and drum riff that repeats like a racing heartbeat. The sound blends funk, disco, and pop with a touch of electronic elements, but what makes it special is how that steady rhythm—like that of a coffee machine—intertwines with lyrics that speak of female empowerment. The production uses drum loops and guitars that seem taken from a vintage sample kit, yet with a modern sheen that keeps it fresh. The detail lies in how the bass and electronic claps move in sync, creating a foundation that invites movement without ever losing the groove.
The song was born in a French town called Chailland, where Carpenter took refuge after a concert in Paris. There, in the Flow studio, she recorded some ideas in just a few days alongside her producer Julian Bunetta and songwriters Amy Allen and Steph Jones. The process was quick, almost improvised, and according to her own account, the lyrics—which speak of seeing femininity as a superpower—emerged from that energy. The video, directed by Dave Meyers at Lake Castaic, reinforces that idea: there are classic cars, espressos served in porcelain cups, and choreography that plays with the duality between retro and contemporary. But the most curious thing is that, although the track seems simple, critics highlighted its flawless structure: a hook that sticks in your head from the first measure and, according to Vulture, works like an "earworm."
When Espresso was released on April 11, 2024, no one expected it to become her first massive hit. Within weeks, it climbed to the third spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 65 weeks—something rare for a current pop single. Outside the U.S., it dominated: it topped charts in over 20 countries, from Australia to the U.K., and claimed the top spot on the Billboard Global 200. The song also earned Carpenter her first major awards: she won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year and two Grammy Awards—Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Remixed Recording. What’s interesting is that, despite its success, the track wasn’t born with commercial ambitions: it was a personal bet that ended up defining her career. Even her Short n' Sweet Tour (2024-2025) closes with it as an encore, as if it were the unofficial anthem of this era.