Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Fruitcake’ is a refreshing take on the holiday genre
By Rachel Fadem
Sabrina Carpenter’s Christmas-themed EP Fruitcake explores a range of emotions associated with the holiday season and offers a fresh take on the holiday genre. The six-track EP, released on Nov. 17, showcases Carpenter’s playful lyricism and impressive vocal range.
The EP opens with a revival of "A Nonsense Christmas," a remix of Carpenter's hit song "Nonsense" from her album emails i can't send that was first released in December 2022. Kicking off with giggles and jingle bells, Carpenter sets the festive tone for the entire EP. Her signature wordplay gives way to clever holiday innuendos, such as "I might change your contact to 'Has a Huge North Pole,'" making the song both catchy and humorous.
“buy me presents” is an upbeat song with saxophone and jingles that are reminiscent of holiday music played in malls in the early 2000s. The sultry ballad, "santa doesn't know you like i do," adds a touch of vulnerability to the EP, showcasing Carpenter's vocal range and emotional depth as she longs for a previous relationship. The soft drums and light bells bring the typical holiday sound to this alluring track.
Carpenter’s soft, airy and emotive vocals, along with gentle piano, strings and light synths, stand out on the heartbreaking "cindy lou who." On the track, she sings to her ex’s new girl, cleverly named after the character from Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The relatable lyrics, “The snow’s gonna fall and the tree’s gonna glisten / And I’m gonna puke at the thought of you kissin’/ “The boy who I love is now in love with you,” and “Scrollin’ five years back, I’m obsessed,” make “cindy lou who” not only a Christmas song, but a year-round listen for heartbreak and yearning.
"is it new years yet?" expresses a frustration and fatigue with Christmas that contrasts with its funky and danceable beats. Through its groovy baseline, Carpenter complains about overplayed Christmas music and annoying relatives, and shares her built-up anticipation to party through the festive season. It’s refreshing to hear an anti-Christmas song on a holiday record that encapsulates the reality that Christmas isn’t always so cheery for everyone. “Couples all around me, damn, it hurts / Wanna push ’em in the fireplace, and watch ’em burn,” she sings. The bulk of the album could almost be summed up in the hushed lyrics: “Call it pessimism, December is a prison / It just makes me miss him.”
Carpenter’s fairy-like vocals shine once again on her slowed down rendition of the classic “White Christmas.” The song is a perfect ending to the EP, culminating with a festive sample of another Christmas classic, “Jingle Bells.”
Whether you're a fan of traditional holiday tunes or looking for a refreshing take on the season, Sabrina Carpenter's Fruitcake is worth a listen.
