Disney channel star turned pop princess Sabrina Carpenter has released her latest single, “Skinny Dipping.” Her second release of 2021 after “Skin” (a song that perhaps got lost in hypotheticals due to internet drama), “Skinny Dipping” amplifies Carpenter’s ability as a songwriter to create a charming story through the outlet of music. Given the title’s scandalous nature, one would think the song would be a bit risqué; however, the concept of skinny dipping is turned into a beautiful metaphor for starting again with an old flame.
Its lyrics feel like the plot to an indie film where the two love interests take a chance on each other again while reliving the nostalgia of the past without bringing up the bad. The instrumental has the rom-com acoustic-pop structure to match, and the variety in Carpenter’s vocal delivery makes for a delightful listen. She goes from sing-talking to delivering light and airy falsettos in the chorus as she ponders: “It’d bе so nice, right? Right? / If we could take it all off and just еxist / And skinny dip in water under the bridge.” Accompanied by enchanting horns and saxophones in the latter half, it’s impossible not to sway along as you become absorbed in it. The only complaint one may have is that the song passes by so quickly that you’re left having it on repeat to make the listening experience last a bit longer.
“Skinny Dipping” is a fantastic continuation of what we can expect from Carpenter on her future project. It feels different from her more standard pop-centric efforts on her previous albums Singular Act 1 & 2; nevertheless, it’s a clear movement forward in her sound. She’s always been known to tell a story with her songwriting and “Skinny Dipping” isn’t an exception, but rather a prime example. Carpenter is no longer the younger self she was when she started making music years ago; she’s developed into a talented singer-songwriter who isn’t afraid to put herself out there. So grab a nice cup of coffee, sit back, and take a few minutes out of your day to get familiar with this delightful track.
