Rip_City
Well-Known Member
I've given The Loveliest Time, as stellar of an effort it is, three runs now. I've been harder on her music as of recent, given how many pop musicians have entered my sphere. Revisiting my opinions on Carly Rae Jepsen's discography...
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen
- E•MO•TION [The 2010s pop bible. All killer no filler. Marked the change in trajectory and fanbase of her career forever.]
- The Loveliest Time [This is the most experimental she has ever taken her music. I had my doubts heading in with the rather uninteresting opener "Anything to Be With You," but it immediately ramped up in enjoyment right after. She crosses boundaries between synthwave, IDM, nu-disco, and her familiar brand of dance-pop. This is her defining record where its not about the destination, but rather the (exhilarating) journey to get there. If I could make a tracklist edit, I would swap places of "Stadium Love" and "Weekend Love," as the former sounds as if it is expounding the rest of its musical ferocity like fireworks. That stretch from "Shy Boy" to "Put It To Rest" is godtier, with the latter track being one of my top10 Carly songs ever already. Same with the breakbeat implemented "After Last Night."]
- Dedicated Side B [Still find this enjoyable overall, no obvious filler like those below. About two-thirds good (or even great), the rest is fine. Got a pair of my top10 Carly songs on here, "Stay Away" and "Let's Sort the Whole Thing Out."]
- Tug of War [I have this higher than most, I know. This came out during the FedoraCore era (Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, Colbie Caillat, etc.). Given that "Call Me Maybe" did not exist yet, I feel like many pop fans are unaware of its existence. Nothing groundbreaking you are missing out on if haven't listened yet, but it is a pleasant listen on a summer's day. "Money and the Ego" and "Sour Candy" are fun tracks to revisit when they spring to memory.]
- Dedicated [I've markedly soured on this one. Looking back on the singles, they are OK. "Julien" is the one that stood out most overall. The closing stretch of "Feels Right" to "Real Love" is weak and is a big reason why I have not spun the vinyl since my collection playthrough.]
- The Loneliest Time [I know I gave this a back when I provided a weekly roundup, but I would change that to a firm now. There aren't too many songs I would revisit on this except "Talking to Yourself," and there are a fair number of stinkers.]
- Kiss [Honestly, outside of "This Kiss" and the iconic "Call Me Maybe," I don't find this enjoyable. This came out during a time where the EDM (and boy band revivalism) craze was ramping up. This album caught hold of many of those trends and now over a decade later, it sounds as dated as I expected. I'd be OK with never hearing "Good Time" or the fairly annoying "Tonight I'm Getting Over You" ever again.]