best breakup albums of the 20's

If you grew up watching Disney channel like I did, the name Sabrina Carpenter should be familiar to you. From “Girl Meets World” to Adventures in Babysitting, a successful child acting career gave Sabrina a platform early on to pursue her real dream: music. I can still see the music video for “Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying” clear as day. At 14, her first sweet love song was aired in between episodes of “Dog with A Blog” and “Austin and Ally”, becoming a favorite for many little girls fantasizing about middle school relationships. 

On the other hand, Olivia Rodrigo got her claim to fame much later on with her recent feature in the TV series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”. Alongside co-star Joshua Bassett, Olivia won hearts across the globe, and quickly became the hot topic for many gossip channels when her real-life relationship with Basset was publicized. 

Now, to give you a quick recap of the celeb drama if you find yourself struggling to decipher how these two young women starring in separate era’s of Disney could possibly relate to each other… Olivia and Joshua broke up. Obviously. But Sabrina was rumored to be seeing him VERY soon after. And unfortunately, as it goes in the world of pop culture, the popularity of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” led everyone to the swift conclusion that Sabrina was the villain in this story. 

Just four months after her first single “Driver’s License” went viral, Olivia released her debut pop album Sour, and it's safe to say it was a huge success. This sensational, dramatic breakup album (which of course called about both Joshua and Sabrina for serving her a dose of heartbreak) won a grammy for best pop vocal album, and Olivia respectively won best new artist. What a rebound… Am I right? 

Now the story could have ended there, all tied up in a shiny purple bow. But this is the 20s people. Everyone wants their revenge. And I hope you can agree that “Sour” left out a particular side of the story I was dying to hear. What the heck is up with Sabrina Carpenter?! 

She didn't leave us to our own devices for too long. First came her seering response through the single: “Skin”, which certainly reciprocated Olivia’s bitterness. But Sabrina’s official comeback wasn’t solidified until the release of emails i can’t send in July, 2022. 

It’s safe to say that this album has a track for every possible emotion one experiences in going through a breakup, including the process of recovery and gaining a greater sense of self respect. And this is the main reason why, while Sour received a plethora of awards and immediate recognition, emails i can’t send, is the superior and leading breakup album of the 20s. 

Sabrina gives us our much needed dose of songs to cry and scream too with title track “emails i can’t send”, “because i liked a boy”, “how many things” and “decode”. However, she doesn’t just provide an experience of wallowing for the listener. “Read Your Mind”, “Already Over” and “Tornado Warnings”  vocalize the relatable frustrations of young love in a more upbeat tone, and “Vicious” and “because i liked a boy” provide that essential outlet for anger and that burning desire for vengeance. Olivia gives us all these feels on Sour, so at this point you’re probably not convinced of Sabrina’s supremacy. So what exactly differentiates emails i can’t send? 

Sabrina gives us new love- both for oneself and maybe even falling for another! “Fast Times”, “skinny dipping”, and “bet u wanna” transcend that dark phase of a breakup. They represent the light at the end of the tunnel. Sabrina is our big sister reassuring us heartbroken teens that we will be okay. She has the experience and maturity to assure her listeners there are good times ahead, something Olivia just doesn’t yet have the authority to sing about. That is what you really need with a breakup album. Hope.