Review of Carly Rae Jepsen’s seventh studio album.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s songwriting and “pop” production transport you to a different world. The song she is most known for is “Call Me Maybe,” which might be the only song you know from her. When someone says she’s a one-hit wonder, it stings. Her discography is so strong and chock full of great tunes that people don’t know what they’re missing.
In July of 2023, Carly Rae Jepsen released The Loveliest Time. A follow-up to 2022’s The Loneliest Time. Does this album continue the consistency of her past four albums? Is the sky blue? It most certainly is (mostly). Starting the record is “Anything to Be With You,” a tropical-infused track that is sonically different from any opener she has done before. Next is Kamikaze, which would fit on her album “Dedicated” as a techno track with synths all over it.
One of the album’s highlights (and there are a bunch) is “Kollage,” which finishes side one. It’s a vastly different track for Jepsen, with its slower tempo, seductive vocals and hazy atmosphere. The “Modern Vampires of the City” album cover by Vampire Weekend perfectly encapsulates this song. Next is “Shadow,” which starts with a drum beat. Jepsen jumps right in, as she sings, “And in no time, I’ll be comin’ to you / I’ll be flyin’ to you.”
“Psychedelic Switch” is the best song on the album. If you’ve listened to this song before, what is there to say? Starting with a ravy synth and drum beat followed by “It’s like a psychedelic switch” slowly coming in from the background. “I think all my life, I’ve never met anybody like you,” she sings. And the chorus has to be one of my favorite 30 seconds in music history. The last highlight of the album is “Come Over,” which has another banger chorus. “Come over, come over, I’m ready to see you / Whatever you’re scheming, I’m already dreaming,” Jepsen pleads.
Carly Rae Jepsen represents someone who puts love and craft into their work. The passion behind Jepsen’s production and songwriting always shows. You can tell she loves what she does. “The Loveliest Time” delivers on what Jepsen does best.
