When we hear the name Carly Rae Jepsen, the chorus of her sleeper hit, “Call Me Maybe”, automatically floods our eardrums whether we like it or not. Having a huge number one hit puts pressure on an artist when it comes to their debut album, some end up becoming a flash in the pan. Jepsen’s U.S. debut, Kiss, is filled with sugary sweet production and vocals that showcase what the definition of a real pop album should be. Preceded by two top ten singles already, the album is a carefree, fun project that hits some bumps along the way while featuring beautiful gems that deserve to shine.
The light yet sweet album kicks off with “Tiny Little Bows”, a track that hints at a fun, extremely pop-sounding effort all the way through. Traveling from New York to LA, Carly Rae wishes to hold hands with the one that caught her attention. For an opener, the song sets the tone and pace for the rest of the track list. Cute and charming, I kind of like it.
Current single, “This Kiss”, takes me back to the 90s, hell maybe even the 80s. It has a pop/electronic sound surrounding Jepsen’s overly cute vocals, but there just seems to be something lacking. Compared to the huge first single, this offering falls a tad bit flat. Teenage girls will be falling in love with it, but at 26 can Jepsen write material fit for her own age?
“Call Me Maybe”, the lead single that took the entire world by storm, is still a fun listen, I can’t help but sing along. It was a good choice to get an audience familiar with who was singing. Some may call the track annoying, as I did when I first heard it, but no one can deny the fact that it may have been one of the catchiest pop songs to come out of 2012.
Featured on an EP released before the album, “Curiosity” may be one of my favorite moments on the album. The tempo has changed a bit from the original version, but I can still appreciate it. The simple chorus of “curiosity will never let me go” is easy on the ears and a real earworm. I don’t know why the sweet, sometimes creepy, song was not serviced as a true single.
As I said in my review for Owl City’s own recent album, “Good Time” is the kind of song you just blast in your car and sing out loud to with good friends. The single has proven to be a hit already, but let’s not forget whose song it is. I would not have included it for Jepsen’s U.S. debut. Adam was smart to include Jepsen on the carefree track, his first hit since his debut single.
The album may have just hit its first snag in the road with “More Than A Memory”. While I do appreciate Jepsen easing back on the loud production to allow more of her vocals to shine through, the song, which comes off a bit country at times, just doesn’t do it for me. As the artist reminisces on a past relationship, I was simply waiting for the song to be over.
“Turn Me Up” starts off slow, a thumping beat accompanying Jepsen’s innocence. “I’m giving up and going out tonight”, the artist sings as she closes an emotional chapter in her life. Though not like other break up tracks, this effort holds its own. While still carrying an airy quality, Jepsen makes sure her former lover knows he will never get her back.
The intro of “Hurt So Good” quickly grabbed my attention and never wanted to let it go. The song is upbeat, but production is not too heavy as to shadow the artist’s real talent. Jepsen is dreaming of a love that could be, saying the man she wants doesn’t see her, but he should. Every girl gets the feeling of paralysis when their crush walks in the room. Jepsen wrote a song about that.
A collaboration with heartthrob Justin Bieber was almost confirmed the moment the artist gave Jepsen his seal of approval, but “Beautiful” may be one of the biggest misses on the entire project. The ballad-esque track is uninspiring and really plays it safe. Everyone thought the two would have chemistry, but is it evident on this song? I don’t really think so.
I was waiting for the artist to shed her bubblegum pop sound in exchange for a loud dance floor ready gem and I finally got my wish with “Tonight I’m Getting Over You”. As Unapologetically POP stated, Jepsen gives a performance that dance queen Robyn would be extremely proud of. Everything just comes together perfectly on this moment of perfection. Stuck on repeat, repeat, repeat.
Unfortunately my comments of praise came to a sudden stand still when “Guitar String/Wedding Ring” came through the speakers. I would classify the track as bad as filler from a Katy Perry or Ke$ha album. Wow that’s bad. If anyone finds a liking to this amateurish piece of garbage, please let me know your reasons. I would be very happy to listen.
The standard edition of the album comes to a close with “Your Heart is a Muscle”. The slow, emotion-filled ballad may be the first time we get to hear what Jepsen’s true voice sounds like. “You’re a real good listener, but you don’t have much to say,” she sings as the background instrumentals come crashing down. Save the best for last, Jepsen did just that.
Kiss is a good album. However, good is sometimes not enough. Carly Rae Jepsen played it safe and recorded a sweet album that embodies the basic definition of pop. Is the album a flop? Of course not. The effort is filled with tracks that tell stories and are extremely fun to sing along to. Is the album one of the best of the year? Not really. My big problem with the record is how more than half the tracks follow the same structure as her hit single. There is no real change or diversity. Jepsen’s vocals are sometimes covered up, but when they aren’t they do shine. I am torn. The album receives an 80%.
Tracks to Hear: “Curiosity”, “Hurt So Good”, “Tonight I’m Getting Over You”, and “Your Heart is a Muscle”
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