Sabrina Carpenter - Singular: Act I

Long before Espresso, Sabrina Carpenter was sharpening her pop instincts, and Singular: Act I is where that confidence first snaps into focus.

Released in 2018 as her third studio album and the first half of a two-part project, it marked the first time she co-wrote every song on a record. Issued through Hollywood Records, it leans into sleek dance-pop and themes of self-empowerment, and it lays the groundwork for the wit and sass that would later make her a global name.

Almost Love, the Stargate-produced lead single, rides a pulsing hook about a love that is not quite there yet. Paris floats on shimmering synths and a breezy, daydreaming melody, while Sue Me turns a confident shrug into a strutting, unapologetic anthem that still sounds like a mission statement. Bad Time adds a cooler, moodier shade to the palette.

At just eight tracks, the album is tight and endlessly replayable, with glossy production from a crew that includes Oak Felder, Jason Evigan and Johan Carlsson. Carpenter's crisp, playful vocals stay front and centre throughout, and her knack for a cheeky turn of phrase is already fully formed.

For fans who came aboard later, this is a fascinating look at the early blueprint, and it pairs neatly with its sequel on the shelf.