Carly Rae Jepsen enters the world of alternative pop with "The Loveliest Times"
If you know the Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen solely from her early, twenty-tens viral hit ‘Call Me Maybe’, then it is time to wake up. The singer proves on her seventh studio album The Loveliest Time, that she has left behind her days of blase radio jams for a shimmering world of alternative pop.
The album is a companion piece to her previous release The Loneliest Time. Jepsen says her new record comes from a lighter place and a direct response to the more melancholic tones of her previous album. Her previous work was written during covid recording sessions at home, allowing for a more introspective take on her music. Her new effort bucks all of that to sprout a new beginning and strives to just be fun, without taking itself too seriously.
The Loveliest Time is a celebration of living again, chasing love and allowing the sunlight to feed a new beginning. And you feel it from the first note.
The album hits you right away with an echoing harmony that would jolt you up even in your darkest times. The bass groove and underlying melody driven by a fuzzy guitar give the first track “Anything to be With You” a vibe that is just fun.
The album continues its passionate pursuit of pleasure with “Kamikaze”. It is an song that pairs perfectly with a scene in a movie where the protagonist enjoys their first night of freedom in a nightclub experiencing a new world after years of sheltered lifestyle. The song was produced by duo Jack & Coke who have worked with many heavy-pop stars including Charli XCX.
Those vibes keep coming as the BPM’s pick up with “After Last Night”, which was produced by Rostam (formerly of Vampire Weekend). The synths and 808’s combination drive the song. It almost feels like a joy ride down a road in ‘Barbieland’.
Joy is the mission on The Loveliest Time and the fun continues with “Shy Boy”. It may be the highlight of the entire work. The song brings in a bit more of an indie vibe and was produced by James Ford who previously worked with Florence + the Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Haim, Foals and more. The chorus hooks you in and brings you along for a hazy ride along the beat. Good luck getting this one out of your head.
The grooves continue with “Kollage”. Here Jepsen dabbles in Khruangbin-esque verses with a little bit of pop vocal flair. It may be the slowest track on an album that is go, go, go but, it is a fun place to get lost in for a moment. Rostam returns on production for “Shallow” which keeps the ethereal feel going.
The beat picks back up with “Psychedelic Switch”. Jepsen sings “Your love is such a trip / It’s like a psychedelic switch / don’t wake me cause I’m lucid dreaming” in the first verse. It is yet another example of how Jepsen delivers a simple message of the joys of a new love in a refreshing way. It is a topic that has inspired countless songs before yet Jepsen makes it work yet again with a prismatic pop that never feels like it’s too much.
The album finishes with another high note on the back-to-back closers of “Stadium Love” and “Weekend Love”. The songs offer a beautiful dichotomy of the new emotions of getting back out there and chasing new romance.
The album is a representation of coming out of the dark and the new experiences after months in the dark. It is truly a lovely time indeed.
Cover photo: Alex Kane Perkins