Singular: Act II

Singular: Act II is Sabrina Carpenter’s fourth studio album, released on July 19, 2019 through Hollywood Records. It serves as the companion and conclusion to Singular: Act I (2018), though Carpenter described it as “Act I upside down,” a darker and less straightforward exploration of the same themes. Where the first installment wore its confidence on the surface, Act II was designed to show that vulnerability is also a form of strength, examining the emotional interior behind the polished exterior.^[1]

The album was written during a turbulent period in Carpenter’s life. She was navigating the end of her Disney Channel career following the conclusion of Girl Meets World in 2017, dealing with a lawsuit against former managers, and grieving the death of fellow Disney alumnus Cameron Boyce. She told Refinery29 that a realization she had been “trying to be this glossy pop star” prompted her to write with greater vulnerability and honesty on this record.^[2]

The album debuted at number 138 on the US Billboard 200. Critical reception was mixed, with some reviewers noting similarities to other contemporary pop acts, while others praised the emotional range across the nine-track sequence. It was the final album Carpenter released under Hollywood Records before signing with Island Records in 2021.^[1]