Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter is riding a wave of momentum following the release of her latest single, “Manchild”, which dropped on June 5, 2025. The song has quickly captured attention with its razor-sharp wit, disco-tinged sound, and surreal music video—firmly positioning Carpenter as one of pop’s most daring and dynamic voices this summer.
🎶 A Pop Song With Bite
“Manchild” is far from your typical breakup song. Produced by Jack Antonoff, with songwriting credits shared between Antonoff, Carpenter, and Amy Allen, the track blends disco-pop with country twang and glittery synths. It’s playful yet piercing, brimming with irony as Carpenter skewers immature men with tongue-in-cheek lyrics like:
“I like my men all incompetent / I like them big, I like them dumb.”
This irreverent lyrical style is classic Sabrina—bold, smart, and unafraid to poke fun at the absurdity of modern relationships. Rather than channel heartbreak or melodrama, “Manchild” weaponizes sarcasm, creating an empowering, laugh-out-loud anthem that’s already resonating with fans across social platforms.
🎬 A Surreal Road Trip in Music Video Form
To complement the single, Carpenter released a jaw-dropping music video on June 6, which turns the song’s themes into a cinematic, desert-set fever dream. Styled like a road movie-meets-fantasy romp, the video features:
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A pig riding shotgun,
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Jet skis attached to cars,
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Outlandishly dressed men symbolizing various “manchild” archetypes,
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Sabrina strutting through sandstorms in a mini dress,
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And a touch of Quentin Tarantino flair with surreal edits and stylish slow-mo.
The video has been widely praised for its creativity and humor. Publications like The Cut dubbed it “Tarantino meets Barbiecore,” while Los40 noted its rich cinematic references and unapologetically theatrical visuals. It’s a bold artistic statement that reinforces Carpenter’s knack for blending pop spectacle with deeper cultural commentary.
🗣️ The Real Inspiration? Not Who You Think
Fans quickly speculated whether “Manchild” was aimed at Carpenter’s rumored ex, Barry Keoghan, but the singer shut that down during an interview shortly after the release. She clarified that the track wasn’t written with anyone specific in mind, saying:
“It’s really about the chaotic, hilarious situations you find yourself in when you’re navigating young adulthood. Everyone’s met a ‘manchild’ or two—it’s just part of growing up.”
Interestingly, Carpenter revealed that “Manchild” was a last-minute addition—written after she had already completed her upcoming album. The spontaneous writing session, she joked, turned out to be “the best random Tuesday of my life.”
🌟 Festival Debut and What’s Next
Just a day after the single’s release, Carpenter performed “Manchild” live for the first time at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, where the crowd erupted with enthusiasm. The track is expected to feature heavily in her upcoming summer tour appearances, including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and a slate of North American headline shows.
With a full album on the way and a viral hit already under her belt, 2025 is shaping up to be Sabrina Carpenter’s year.
🎧 Final Thoughts
“Manchild” isn’t just a pop track—it’s a cultural moment. Equal parts satirical, stylish, and sonically addictive, the song cements Sabrina Carpenter’s place among the most creative and self-aware pop stars of her generation. Whether you’re blasting it from your car stereo or dissecting its lyrics on TikTok, one thing’s clear: this manchild anthem is going to rule summer.
Listen Now: Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” (Official Video)