Ten years after Carly Rae Jepsen broke into the public consciousness with her single "Call Me Maybe", she has asserted herself as a cult-level popstar-listened to by teenage girls and guys in Nails t-shirts alike. Initially known for radio-friendly pop hits, her musical progression in later releases has garnered a devoted fan base- much of them declaring Jepsen as the savior of pop music.
Her sixth and latest album, The Loneliest Time, was recorded as a "quarantine album" since the 2020 lockdown. The songs that ended up in the album were written over zoom calls with her longtime collaborator, Tavish Crowe. Jepsen herself stated to Consequence that "Loneliness sounds sad, but I think it can be exhilarating and exciting, and I think it can be the most intimate feeling in a really special way," providing context to how the album showcases the intervals between romances and emotions. After an initial listen, here are some takeaways from the record.
Cynicism Plays into the Record
While Jepsen's music is characterized by bright and earnest musings, this record introduced another element into the mix; cynicism. Song titles like "Go Find Yourself or Whatever" alludes to failed romances and her newfound outlook, while lyrics to "Beach House" recounts a series of them. The sound is still bright and playful, but Jepsen now embraces the other side of romance more. Peppered throughout the album, these moments provide a glimpse into Jepsen's other side. Admittedly, this new facet to her music can sometimes feel disconcerting, but it adds depth and dimension to her catalog.
Collaborators Galore
Aside from Tavish Crowe, The Loneliest Time also includes some notable guest appearances. The lead single "Western Wind" is co-written with and produced by Rostam Batmanglij, formerly of Vampire Weekend. The song, inspired by the passing of Jepsen's grandmother, showcases Batmanglij's producing chops which in turn lets Jepsen shine. The titular track features a personal hero of Jepsen's, Rufus Wainwright, who accompanied Jepsen to question if they had hit nirvana yet.
Decade-transcending Influences
In the album, Jepsen made a conscious effort not to draw influence from specific eras, rather, she tried to incorporate multifarious inspirations to self-reflect and analyze her own behaviors. From 80s pop, 70s folk, funk, and disco-tinged anthems, Jepsen tread familiar territories with an expansive approach. "I had the playground of all the eras to jump from, and this was more just writing from the heart, in whatever direction the songs wanted to go," she stated to Crack Magazine.
Still Glossy, More Bombastic
The slick pop sound that comes to define Jepsen's catalog is present in an even more polished form. From fizzy synth lines, 70s guitar riffs, and thumpy basslines, to vocoder-filtered climaxes, the glossy production hits all of Jepsen's signature sonic cues while expanding it to new territories. In some tracks, her maximalist tendencies are amplified to new heights while some songs lean more into traditional pop compositions, yet her sparkle is ever-present.
Can We Expect Another B-sides Album?
For this album, Jepsen wrote over a hundred songs before selecting thirteen tracks (well, sixteen) for its release. Like her past two albums, E•MO•TION and Dedicated, it's possible that we will be treated to another b-sides album for The Loneliest Time. Taking into account that The Loneliest Time's best song-"Anxious"-is a bonus track, we might get a delightful collection of loose tracks if b-sides for The Loneliest Time is released.
The Loneliest Time is available now on streaming platforms.
(alm/tim)