Rank: 3/5
Three years after her smash hit “Call Me Maybe,” Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen is back and ready to prove to the world she’s no one-hit wonder.
She partially succeeds with follow-up album “Emotion,” an album full of fun ’70s and ’80s inspired pop. Jepsen’s signature brand of infectious, earworm music is on full display here.
There isn’t a song on “Emotion” that doesn’t feature a perfectly crafted pop hook. Complete with synth beats and funky instrumentation, Jepsen’s third album serves as a time machine to transport listeners back to a time of exemplary bubble gum music.
Some tracks are lackluster, and the beats start to sound a bit too similar, featuring no distinct or exceptional production in the middle and end sections of the album. But most songs are so pleasant, it’s impossible not to bop along.
Standouts include the mid-tempo and sensual album opener “Run Away with Me.” Jepsen croons, “I’ll be your sinner in secret. When the lights go out, run away with me.”
The Sia co-written “Making the Most of the Night” has her imprint all over it, with its fast-pace and mix of both nature and urban imagery. Jepsen and Sia prove to be great collaborators with this song, as it’s one of the best the album has to offer.
“Emotion’s” most popular single is “I Really Like You,” and it still holds up as one of the better tracks on the album. The chorus is catchy, if a bit repetitive, and the verses are perfection.
“Boy Problems” is one of the most ’80s-inspired songs on the album and one of the most fun. It’s immensely cheesy and campy, and the jazzy bassline works excellently as Jepsen sings about her and her friends’ challenges with boys.
“Emotion” falls off a bit toward the end of the album. The tracks begin to run together, and none of them really jump out as remarkable. The first half of the album is the best, while the second half is average and doesn’t keep up with the pace set in the beginning. Despite the disappointing second half, it’s still worth a listen.
On “Emotion,” there is no “Call Me Maybe” type of hit, but this isn’t necessarily a negative, as there is more than enough for listeners, especially pop enthusiasts, to enjoy.