Extended interview: Sabrina Carpenter on "Man's Best Friend" and more

Today's the day. People will get to hear your album. How are you feeling? People think it's your sophomore album, but it's not your sophomore album. No, it's my seventh album. It's your seventh album. Yep. Mic drop on that. No, for real, the cigarette is actually what I've been doing. So how are you feeling today? So relieved. Relieved. Overwhelmed, excited, nervous, and I'm feeling everything. Well, the last one, short and sweet, short and sweet, that would be you. Thanks. What was such a juggernaut? Do you feel pressure that, oh, I hope people like it, or is it as good as that last one? Do you feel that at all? Can I just go first? I've already heard it, and yes, it is. I can't wait for you guys to hear it, but you answer the question. Well, my intention when I started writing this album was to start writing it before I felt pressure to follow something up. So I don't feel that really. I feel like it's its own thing. I think that it's sort of like, I don't know, when you make, when you have like a bunch of movies, you know, and every movie is different in your discography, it doesn't really, you know, I think as a collection and a culmination of things together, it just becomes your work, but they all stand on their own. That's a good way to put it. They all stand on their own. I think so. Should we sit here? Which side am I on, guys? This table's so well-lit. I feel like we should sit here. I said, is this a pretty restaurant? Yeah, it's gorgeous. Is this a real place? Yeah. It's pretty. Have you been here before? I like this. I love it. It's beautiful. Okay. Cheers. Cheers to us. Cheers to us. Cheers to us. Okay, Man's Best Friend album. So when people first saw the cover of Man's Best Friend, there was a lot of tsk, tsk, tsk, and oh my. Yeah. Tsk, tsk, tsk, and oh my. Yeah. What was your reaction to people's reaction? Like, y'all need to get out more, I think. I was actually shocked because I think between me and my friends and my family and the people that I always share my music and my art with first, it was... And whose opinion you trust. And whose opinion I trust very much and who know me better than anyone. It just wasn't even a conversation. It was just like, it's perfect for what the album is. It's perfect for, you know, kind of what it represents. And I don't know, everything about it to me just felt like so opposite of like the world ending. So I was excited. I was excited. It made him feel something. And also excited that, you know, I think it's really interesting that so many different parts now, I think of an album, a project can have so many different meanings and interpretations. Yeah. Exactly. So when you said the people that know you got it, what was your intention? What is the message you're trying to say on this cover, if anything? I think to me, like you said, it's so up to interpretation, but... What's your interpretation? My interpretation is, it really is being in on the control, being in on your lack of control and when you want to be in control. Like I think as a young woman, you're just as aware of when you're in control as when you're not. And I think some of those are choices. And I think for me, this whole album was about the humanity of allowing yourself to make those mistakes, knowing when you're, you know, putting yourself in a situation that will probably end up poorly, but it's going to teach you something. And I think just looking at that and being able to laugh at yourself, laugh at the other person, laugh at the relationships and not take it all too seriously was the goal. And also the idea of knowing when you're not in control, you're still in control, if that makes sense. Because one of the comments was, it can't be all three. Somebody, some people say... Oh, you read all the comments. Yeah. Well, not all of them, just a couple. Sabrina can't have it both ways. If it's a satire of how men treat us, it can also be a straightforward image of a woman being submissive just because it's sexy. Right. When you heard that or read that, what did you think? There's just a lot of pointing fingers for, you know, I mean, at that point, they hadn't heard the project. They don't know me. They don't know my intentions. They don't know the stories I'm telling. So I do. I try to take it with a grain of salt and also know that, like, my fans that know me and know the person behind the music look at that photo and know exactly what it is. And people that have no idea who I am absolutely look at that photo and go, like, where are my parents? My parents actually saw the photo and they loved it. So I think it's all, you know, dependent on everyone's individual life experience, how they're viewing their own lives. It's like looking in a mirror. So many of these reactions that you get to stuff you make is really a reflection of other people. It's not even really so much your work. I think it's just how they see themselves in your work. I love, Sabrina, that you are so unapologetic about the work and your songs and your art. Thanks. I love that about you. You got to be. Otherwise, you'll, you won't make it out. No, no, seriously, because some people can't handle the controversy or the criticism. And you seem to say, OK, bring it on and have and you're not apologetic about it. Everyone has their days where it hits differently. If I'm on my cycle, those comments are going to hurt more, you know. But I think for the most part, I've been dealing with people saying mean things about me since I was very little. I started a YouTube channel when I was nine years old. I would post covers of songs of artists I loved and I would say, you know, people saying the worst things in the world about a nine year old. So I've been dealing with it since I was a kid. Now, when they're very targeted and they're very specific, it just feels. It stings. Yeah, it can. It can because you want to be able to individually tell those people, no, this is what I meant. I'm a real person. This and I it's OK, like I'm not trying to offend anyone. But if you do that, they find something wrong with that. And then it's kind of an endless spiral. So I have learned to listen to the people that are around me, that love me and know me, that, you know, trust me and and have a drink and call it a day. And whose opinion that you respect and admire, because this is what I've learned. It took me a minute to get there because I would be so hurt about something. I would sometimes call the people up. Hello, this is Gail. I read that you said and instantly people, by the way, back. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry. I can't I can't believe you're calling me. Yeah. But then you have to get to the point where as long as the people that know you, love you, respect you and you feel good about it yourself. Yeah. Then you can't. Otherwise you'll go down a rabbit hole of craziness, because I say a lot of these people are keyboard warriors. They say stuff they would never say to your face. Absolutely. Never say to your face. Yeah. And and that's a great way to put it into perspective. You know, most of the time it's so easy to say this stuff when you're never going to say it to someone's to someone's face. And also, I always say you don't have to like what I do. I think there's this weird misconception that every artist has to check every box for everyone to like everything about them. It's never been that way. It's never going to be. So I'm OK if Tommy from Arkansas doesn't like what I do. Yeah. You know, and and if there's more people like as long as, you know, the people that I'm speaking to that do connect with me and relate to me feel that connection, then I'm happy. You are so good. Oh, my God. That's such a good answer, though. I'm OK if Tommy from Arkansas. Well, and there's more Tommy's where that came from. But are you proud of this of this album? Very proud. I feel like. Sometimes there's this idea that there's pressure for artists to make a project, you know, there's a timeline, there's sort of like, well, it was surprising that this one came out so soon after the juggernaut of last year. And I think it's just because of the fact that I was inspired and I'm I'm trying not to take that for granted. And I think that's why I'm so proud of it, because I felt like I really made it for me on my own terms and not because I felt swayed or pressured to, like, make the next thing. And I think that's why it happened so effortlessly. I was just going through a lot and I was like, well, I could either, you know, sit and sulk about it or I could write about it. And it doesn't mean I have to put any of this out. But if it ends up feeling special and it did, then I will. And I got to make it with three of my people, three of my best friends, Amy, Alan, Jack Antonoff and John Ryan. And it just was so special. Like, it really felt like magic. And from top to bottom, it really is. It's a chronological album, which I don't think any of my albums beforehand have really been as chronological. Yeah. I mean, sonically and and lyrically, it's really chronological as well. That's why I really love when people listen from top to bottom. Well, the title stand out to me. It's one of the rare albums that I heard the title and I thought, I want to hear this song. My man on willpower, sugar talking. We almost broke up again last night. Never getting laid. When did you get hot? Don't worry, I'll make you worry. House tour. What are you saying, Miss Carpenter, to us? Like a lot, a lot, a lot of crazy stories, crazy conversations. I think, you know, my favorite thing is being able to pull from something that feels so real or something that kind of, you know, takes you back how blatantly honest it is and and make a song about it. And I think this one in particular felt like a lot of it was rolling off the tongue. And that's that's all you can ever hope for when you're writing songs. Were these things that you had gone through? Because, for instance, sugar talking, put your loving. Well, you tell me your favorite. I'll name the title. OK, I'll take it. And then you tell me your favorite line out of it. OK, sugar talking. I would say you're saying that you miss me. Boy, do you want a prize that that one kind of like also puts your love in where your mouth is, is like kind of the tagline for the song. Sugar talking isn't working tonight. I love that my man on willpower. Oh, my goodness. There's so many favorites in the song. I think the whole second verse is amazing. It's sort of like. Yeah, it's sort of like a run on sentence, like, yeah, OK, he's on his big journey to find a little zest to life and a sense of purpose. But why? I'm right here. I'm waiting. The joke can be over now, like stop playing. And then it's my man on willpower is something I don't understand. And I think the whole song was really just autobiographical. Unfortunately, never getting laid. Now, the title made me think one thing and then I hear the lyrics and I went, go, Sabrina, never getting laid. That one is. I just hope you get agoraphobia one day and all your days are sunny from your window pane. Wish you a lifetime full of happiness and a forever of never getting laid. What is the back story there? You know what his name is? You know, actually, that one was a bit of a turning point for me because I'm so used to writing bitter songs. And this one felt like being bitter, but with a lot of sweetness. It was like it was like I really don't actually wish any ill will on you. I want you to live a good life. I think the thing that hurts the most is when you find someone else and and I have to watch it, you know, so if you could just stay locked up in your house forever, but be happy and have a good life and things will happen to you. I wish you well. I wish you well. Just not don't be with another person. That would be great for me. You know, that's the other thing that struck me when you just said the word sweetness. I think that you are one of the best at saying bleep you, but you say it in such a sweet way that I don't even realize you're saying what you're saying, because it's so sweet and so melodic to me. Thanks. Is that part of your charm and appeal? Because what was that song? Yes, we were talking about that. That's it. It is the ultimate bleep you song. What is it? Please, just please is a very are you talking about this album? Yeah, yeah. I love please. I love please, please, please. But from this album, there's one song where you said she's basically saying bleep you, but you said it so nice. Don't worry, I'll make you worry. Correct. Don't worry, I'll make you worry is a is a even from the title. It sounds like a threat, but it's like it's all just said with a wink. It's said with a pat on the back. I think that is the way that I communicate. I think, you know, but the people that I've loved and lost and the people that I've loved and kept somehow, they know that that's always kind of been part of my personality. It's like I love really hard. If you bleep with me, there will be consequences. But also I I know that I loved you once for a reason. So I keep that very close to me and I do try to keep it lighthearted as much as I can. Because I think your pen is very sharp and you can be very sarcastic. But you also say this about yourself. I don't have an evil will or evil bone in my body. That's not I am not that girl. No, I mean, yeah, that would that would be crazy to say. I think I think every girl once a month has an evil bone. But I don't I don't think in this case, it's something that lasts very long. I think anytime that you deal with something that hurts you, it's like a circle. You go through all the stages and you come back around and then you look back and you go, OK, like maybe I was maybe maybe I acted wrong or out of line. And I think a lot of this album, as much as it's calling out other people, I'm also calling out myself. You do also give me a song where you called out yourself, for instance, even in Manchild, which starts the whole album. You know, it's it's I like my boys playing hard to get. I like my mental incompetent. Yeah, I swear they choose me. I'm not choosing them. And it's all sarcastic. You know, it's like I know I know that it's my fault just as much as it's theirs. But but again, it's it's part of what I think I'm supposed to be experiencing right now. And like it's it is it's it's something that feels so heavy when you're in it. But then you look back and you're like, oh, sweetie. But, you know, when you write this well and you write with things that are going on in your life, do you worry about men saying, I'm afraid to mess with her? I'm afraid. You know, the last album they were saying it was about Barry Keegan, Bed Kim. You never said it is or it isn't about him. Right. Or is it? Is it? I just I just wouldn't say you wouldn't say it's more fun for people to picture the person in their head than the person I picture in my head, I think. Yes. But for him, he got a lot of backlash because your fans are very loyal. Correct. Did you feel badly when he was going through that or did you feel, but that's not on me? I never said it was about him. You know, it's funny about I feel pretty transparent going into any of my relationships that I write songs and and I think they're just as down. I think it's also most the time they've been pretty flattered when I when they get a song written about them, good or bad. I think they're just excited to get a shout out. I'm not scared of men in that sense. I'm I'm scared of men sometimes, but I'm not scared of in that sense. I'm not I'm not scared. I think I will attract exactly who I'm supposed to attract. And again, we were talking about this earlier. There's there's so much conversation around women that are honest and strong and opinionated and determined, focused, told, intimidating, scary. Yeah. Yeah. But I don't I mean, I'll intimidate you. In fact, I think it's good. I'm I hope I intimidate someone and then they come closer. I think that that means I'm, you know, dealing with someone that is at least mentally strong enough to kind of surpass some of that emotional immaturity. Did you feel bad when he was going through that? Did you feel responsible in any way or did you think it really is not on me? I was curious about that. I just felt he had to release a statement. Right. And I and I and I support, you know, whatever he feels like he has to do. And also, I I always handle my kind of relationships in private no matter what's going on. So, you know, I think he's a strong boy. I'm a strong girl. It's also part of it. I think that's why it was nice to be able to kind of communicate with someone that is experiencing this whole industry in the same way under like a microscopic lens. Do you worry about men being afraid to date you because if it doesn't work out, then you'll write something about them? No, because I really do think at the end of the day, they wouldn't make it past the first round if they didn't know what they were getting into. Like, it's like The Voice. It's like American Idol. This really is just sort of like, you know, letting those people into your space in the first place. I say in my last album, I know I have good judgment and I have good taste. It's ironic. Only I feel that way. But it's it's the truth. And I think, no, I would never be worried about that. I'm also just not worried in general about men not wanting to date me because the ones I have have wanted to. And then, you know, in the future, maybe it's maybe I won't. Maybe I will. I think that's what's so funny about being this age is you're sort of like really living in the moment. You're like, that was yesterday. Tomorrow, let's see what comes. But I would never stop doing what I love and being honest for the sake of a potential future mediocre relationship. Right. Yes. No, I don't know. I totally agree. And I totally get that. And I think it's also different for women to women. Everything is different. Women are judged very differently. Yeah. And how do you navigate that for yourself in your music? Broadly, like just being judged? Yes. I've just I've it's been unfortunate to watch it not just happen to me, but so many women like I always say this. But, you know, when I when I go see live shows, I'm just like so in awe by the amount of effort and hard work and attention to detail and thought that women put into every aspect and every detail of their shows, their songs, their outfits, the staging, the staging, the choreography, the vocals, singing live, which some people like to like also have comments on. Everyone's a vocal teacher now. Yes. There's there's just so, so much. And, you know, like you said, you have to be resilient, but it sucks that it sucks that we have to learn to just be resilient and not other people have to learn how to just like enjoy what they enjoy and keep their mouth shut when they don't enjoy something. We've all become very vocal, which is really good for certain things and really not productive for other things. The song that also came out today, Tears. But the thing that I think is really fun is a video. I'm watching the video and I go, is that Coleman Domingo? Coleman Domingo, Sabrina. Isn't he just everything? Yes. How did that come about? I mean, I've just been the biggest fan of his. I I've always wanted to work with him, but I was like, in what world would we ever make sense? Did you know him? I've met him at a party before and he came up to me and was so sweet and was just saying the nicest things about my music. And I was like, I didn't even know you knew who I was. This is just such an unexpected love affair. So I was I was listening to Tears and I was like, I think this video is is really him. He's kind of like narrating it for me. And I think I think the song represents more than just, you know, women. I think it's it's it's really an anthem for more people. He seemed all in, too. Yeah. He seems like I want to wear all the outfits. Yeah. Tell us about that shoot. He was so dedicated, so professional, showed up, learned everything on the spot, you know, wanted to wear every wig, wanted to wear the corsets, wanted to wear the massive heels and stilettos. And for me, it was just like we just have to have so much fun. And it felt like we were kids. It really felt like we were little kids just playing dress up. It was great. See, I did. They just said, you know, take a look at this video. And when he popped up, that was a surprise. An actual jump. Yes. So I can't wait for people to see that. You said something interesting. You said he came to you at a party and you didn't know you were surprised he knew who you were. Are you surprised that people know who you are? I saw you at the Grammys. We were all standing in line to say hi, Sabrina. Are you surprised that people know who you are? Some people. Yeah. Are you? Yeah. I think I think there's also just like people that I feel like we live on different planets or something. So I'm always very surprised. I think even at the Grammys, that was a huge day where I was like, you know me? Yes, because I know you. Yes, very. It's very special. I just I just love talented people. It's really. I do, too. It's the coolest thing. You know, you really get to meet such a special, candid person. And for Coleman, he was just the best performer I could have ever asked. And will you be performing at the Super Bowl when Taylor performs? Because I know nothing. I know nothing. I know that's going to happen. But the big news, of course, is that they're engaged. I know. But this is the thing that was so great. It's like it made worldwide news. And I was so glad that people I think people are craving joy and sanity. And that's what the two of them are together. Were you surprised that the reaction was as big as it was? No, no, no, no. I'm just happy for them. And then, you know, when she said that you were going to be on the album, how did that? I'm very excited about that. Me, too. Yeah. How's the song? I'm lips are sealed. I have to let her. Yeah. Yeah. Give and I'm just so thrilled and honored. I mean, I've been looking up to her since I was I remember the first time I heard a song by her. I was eight years old on the school bus and I was just like my life was changed. Yeah, I was I was. And I've told her that she's seen all the videos of me when I was little. So it's a very full. But you opened for her. Yeah. Taylor called you the pop princess of our dreams. I mean, coming from her, that's crazy. I know. But I think that that's so nice. And I think that's how many people see you. Oh, thank you. But how do you feel about you? Yeah, I know you're not going to my dream. I know you're not going to sit and go. Yes, I am the pop princess of my dreams. But was this your dream? Absolutely. Was it? Yeah. The proof was in the pudding. I mean, there's just the most obnoxious videos of me as a child singing my heart out with the craziest outfits on and, you know, started writing songs from the time I was 10. And I think I think that that only happens when you know it somewhere inside of you, because there was just no other reason that I would have been so connected to it, I think. But getting to do it now. Yeah, it's almost way more fun in the last year or two, because I really feel like the way that people have connected with the music, it's given me the ability to kind of be like, oh, what have I actually always dreamt of doing as a as a pop singer? Uh-huh. Let me wear that outfit. Let me do this performance. Let me, you know, like make this ice cream with my face on it. Like there's just so many silly things. And I'm able to kind of not take it too seriously and really enjoy it. I could see you doing country, too. Do you ever think about country? I'm curious, because I think your voice lends itself to many things. But have you ever thought about country? Well, it's not really. I'm from Pennsylvania. I know some people are from Pennsylvania. But I grew up in the country. I grew up like in the middle of nowhere. And my mom has this like sort of thick Philly accent, but it leans into like a southern thing sometimes. So when I was younger and I was covering country songs, I had the thickest accent. And as I've gotten older, I've been playing with, you know, songwriting and again, like not taking everything so seriously. It's come out in some of my songs. But you don't come from a musical family. Well, it depends on who you ask. In terms of your mom and dad. Yeah. Because, well, they're not very good, but they would defend themselves. Oh, they would. Okay. They're very musical. My mom's an amazing dancer. My dad said that he was in a rock band. That's all I got. How are your parents processing all of this? Honestly. Because you're the youngest of four girls. I like that. I'm from four girls. Yeah. How are they processing all of this? I think they're just really grateful that, you know, that their support kind of. Got you here. Got me here. Yeah. And how about you in terms of fame? Because you are so white hot right now in terms of your career. Everyone's Sabrina, Sabrina, Sabrina. How are you handling all the attention and the fame? Is it hard for you? Does it worry you? Because I think not everybody's prepared for it when it hits the way it's hitting you. Yeah. I don't know if I have like some sort of filter on, but I do think maybe because I started quite young, you know, some of it's still weird. Every once in a while you deal with an interaction or something where you're like, that's kind of strange. Or like people don't maybe treat you like a normal person. But for the most part, I feel really lucky to have gravitated towards people that feel like people. And I try to keep them around me as much as I can. Now, when you said it kind of weird, would Dolly Parton be one of those moments? Because I love that she's on Please, Please, Please. I know me too. I also noticed Sabrina that you said, but with her, it was like, like the others. Mother Dolly gets to decide if we're swearing or not. I noticed the lyrics changed for that. Yes. Yeah. I would, I would change the whole song for her if But is that one of those moments where you go, I can't believe I'm sitting in this car and she says that you now have her, her heart and her head that she feels so protective over you. But was that one of those moments? You're in the car with Dolly Parton. You're singing a song together. I thought that was cool. I think that's just one of those ones. You actually can't really understand what's going on. You just stare at her and you're like, is it real? You know, but she's, she's an angel. I just, I got the stories of a lifetime from her sitting in that car and singing that song together. I think the biggest compliment was that she said, she was like, don't you just think our voices blend so well together? She was like, you just, you remind me of a little me sometimes. She's like, you know, when you get older, I'm going to, I'm going to give you all the info you need and, and, you know, get you all the wigs and get you all the doctors and all the things. And I was just like, yeah, you know what? You give me everything because you are one of my favorite people. She was just so special, so special. And I just thought just to be able to do that with her, I thought was really special. Do you, Sabrina, do you ever just sit and listen when new music is coming out? Do you ever just sit and listen to it yourself by yourself? New music by other people? No, by you, by you. Oh, I mean, when you're getting ready for your album, I'm curious about your process. Do you sit and listen to it one after the other and say, I want to put this one first and this one. Yeah. What's your process? I just did it the other day. I mean, my favorite thing is listening to an album before everybody else has it. I think the second other people have it, it starts to take on new lives of its own. But, you know, the moments before it goes out into the world are like the moments where I get to remember all the things that I, I wanted to remember when I was making it, what I want to put out into the world. But I do, I really, I care a lot about the order on this album. The order is really important to me. So getting it right usually is like a really tedious process of like listening in a thousand different orders and moving one song up three spaces and another song down. And this album, Man's Best Friend, I got so lucky that the second time I listened to it in this order, it was the right order. It's what you want. Yeah. And it just made me feel all the things at the right times. You know, you're kind of once you finish the next song, you're sort of like, I wonder if this is going to, oh, and it takes you there. And it's a very fun order. Do you ever dance to your own music? Because I dance to Sabrina Carpenter songs. If I can't help it. Yeah. Do you dance to your own songs? I, I dance and I cry and I scream and I'm like always with my friends, just sort of like being able to feel the lyrics as much as I can. Yeah. Yeah. You have to, you have to like what you make. Otherwise, yes. Maybe no one else will like it. Yes. Yeah. What's your favorite Sabrina Carpenter song when you when you're feeling sad? What's the one when you're feeling happy? Don't Smile is my favorite right now. And I'm feeling sad. That's one of my favorite songs. When I'm feeling happy. Wow. From this album, I would say Nobody's Son is one of my favorites to listen to when I'm feeling happy. My Man on Willpower is one of my favorites. And House Tour. House Tour. Let's talk about House Tour. Okay. Because House Tour. Let's just say it's one of those songs because it's really so much more than about the house. Your songs are very sensual and very sexual. Yeah. In this particular song, you know, you go on the different floors and things are happening on the different floors. So what is it about? There's a lot of sensuality in your song. Yeah. Deliberately so. Yeah. I think that just happens so naturally. Does it? When I started, you know, becoming more sexual as a person, I think it's just something that's a part of life. You want to write about it. I didn't realize it was this taboo of a topic until I started writing about it more freely. And then you sort of get into that place where you're like, you know, I feel as though I'm being pretty harmless. And I'm being pretty playful with the way that I say these things. So so I do I just I just do what makes me happy. What makes me laugh. What makes me feel like, you know, girls in their room are going to be getting ready to. And I think that that's that's a lot of what gets me excited. So it doesn't sound overtly sexual to you. Of course it does. Oh, OK. OK. OK. OK. OK. Well, sometimes I mean, again, it's all. But that's what I like. But that is what I like about it. I think it's fair. It's I feel like we're in on the joke and you know of what you're saying. And some people are and some people aren't. But you are. I do feel that. Yeah. You know what I like about your music is that it's unapologetic. And I think there are some people that would listen to the music and they'd be clutching their pearls. Correct. Yeah. And and and so I wonder. But then I'm thinking, but then the song isn't for you. So I look at it. The song isn't for you. It is not for the pearl clutchers. The album is not for any pearl clutchers. No, but I also think that even pearl clutchers can listen to an album like that in their own solitude. Yes. And find something that makes them smirk and chuckle to themselves because it's sexual. It's also very powerful. It's also very vulnerable. I think that's the thing is sometimes people hear the lyrics that are really bold and they go, I don't want to sing this in front of other people. It's like it's almost too it's TMI. But I think about being at a concert with, you know, however many young women I see in the front row that are screaming at the top of their lungs with their best friends. And you can go like, oh, we can all like sigh of relief, like this is just fun. And and that's all it has to be. And we can cry to the sad songs together. And I think, again, it makes a lot more light. I think that's what's really exciting about this album, even though it's it comes from a lot of really painful, painful places, confusing moments in my life. I was able to sort of turn it into something that's so celebratory and weirdly like bring a lot of light to to my life and to my friends. And as simple as that sounds or as cliche as it sounds, it's sort of something that excites me right now. And today, are you in a good place? You said it comes from painful places. Yeah. Are you in a good place? I'm still a work in progress. I'm in flow, girl. I'm in flow. Yeah. Yeah. But I'm I'm so proud of this album. So I do think that that's making me feel really excited. Love an innuendo in your music when you're writing because, you know, people see funny, quick witted. Where do you get your sense of humor from? Because honestly, you're so to me, unabashedly yourself. It comes from a dark place. I think all good humor comes from something dark. It's just it's just about, you know, looking at things and kind of seeing it from a lot of different angles and sides. And my humor is such a huge part of how I'm able to cope with with anything I'm dealing with. Do you have a process in writing your songs? Do you? I do. I have I have many different processes. I think for me, the thing that always jumps out the most is is lyrics first. Me too. And concepts. I'm always sort of thinking about like an experience I'm going through. And even though I'll be looking at you having a conversation, I will be thinking that this is this would make a good song, unfortunately. So that has been, you know, the root of of many songs. And then, like I said, you know, I got to write the entire album with one of my best friends, Amy, who we were able to share every part of every detail of our lives together. And I think that that just makes it so much more fun when you're when you're able to kind of say things in songs that you would actually just say in real life or that I've actually said in real life. And this particular that's how your lyrics feel to me, that it's stuff that you've said in real life. I think also because I'm hoping that they get back to the source and whatever that source is. I feel like it's it's fun. In this particular scenario, it was Jack Antonoff and John Ryan who are both producing this album alongside me and then Amy Allen. I kind of wrote all the lyrics and melodies together and all of us that came together to to make it all. And I think it felt like a it felt like a band in a lot of ways, like someone's on the drums and someone's over here playing the synth and then we're on the tambourine. And, you know, then I'm cutting vocals. We're all doing gang vocals together. It was really exciting to be able to be like, what if we just tried this? Like what if what if we actually just did the most dramatic, annoying thing possible right now? See if it works and if it does. Exciting. Yes. And if it doesn't, we'll scrap. We'll scrap it. You've also said this. You're always thinking about your life and your music like it's a movie. Yeah. What is the movie now for you? A movie. There's like a lot of suspenseful music. Yeah. There's some cliffhangers sometimes. It's it's it's truly an up and down. I think the misconception is that it's, you know, a sunshine and rainbow fest. It's obviously like, yeah, I think anyone that makes music and puts themselves out on display knows that it's a lot of emotions. But I think for me, the movie is is versatile, if nothing else. Yeah. You're in a good place right now. Today here with you. I feel that, too. I feel that about you, too.