Album- Kiss
Artist- Carly Rae
Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen was the pop juggernaut of 2012 with her hit
and highly catchy single Call Me Maybe, which catapulted her into pop stardom
and signalled her as the most prominent new act of 2012, potentially the new taker
of the princess of pop crown. But this album didn’t really catch the same kind
of response from the public as the single did. However, does this mean that it
is a bad album?
Track 1- Tiny Little
Bows
The opening track is sweet pop dittie that is definitely one
of the most sugary offerings on this collection. The chorus plays well to
Jepsens voice, dipping between different registers, and the verses give the
typical worldwide place name dropping a tick. It’s nice enough but nothing
really special and not as solid as other tracks, with the production being just
a little bit frenzied. The Sam Cooke “Cupid” sample is also just plain weird.
2.5/5
Track 2- This Kiss
The kind of baseball field game sounding introduction of
this track earmarks it as a strong follow up contender for Call Me Maybe. It’s
a shame that it hasn’t had the success it deserves, as it is actually a slick
pop number that is a bit more lyrically intriguing that call me maybe ( I mean
I just love getiing the word detrimental in their). Sure the hook isn’t on the
same level and cant be used to ask someone out, but it is still light and fun
and shows us who Jepsen firmly wants to be as an artist- a pop artist. It also
has just a hint of sexual danger that moves it beyong a Call Me Maybe rehash,
and the production gives the track a palpable dance quality.
3.5/5
Track 3- Call Me
Maybe
Ok so if you haven’t heard off this song then you have been
living under a rock. It was one of the standout numbers of 2012 and set the
world alight. And this is because it is a slice of pop perfection, being pop
music as pop should be. It’s simply produced, which is great as this means the
song is never overpower. And its lyrically innocent and embodying the mind set
of many people who have felt that first rush of a crush. It’s also simply sung,
with the more subtle verses paving the way for a quite punchy chorus. But the
best sing is the hook- it is so good that if its not been stuck in your head a
little bit just once then you are a downright liar.
5/5
Track 4- Curiosity
(Kiss Remix)
This remix version of the title track of her Curiosity EP is
a dancier version with a harsher beat and in the process more subdued, club
tone. Its not a bad remix but it would have perhaps been better to just include
the original version of the song on the album, as the remix loses some of the
simplicity and sweetness of the original and features a little bit vocal
distortion that’s unnecessary.
3/5
Track 5- Good Time
(with Owl City)
This follow up single to Call Me Maybe is a great simple,
fun pop track that is actually Owl City’s track but can be allowed on this
album because it is a proper duet. The simple pop hook is instantly catchy
combined with the typical oh oh’s that are found throughout the song. True it
is highly clichéd, but the fun and enjoyment of the track lies in the fact that
it is a clearly defined summer anthem that is marketed for commercial success,
and so you just have to enjoy it. The track is also elevated by the combining
of voices, making it more special than if one of the artists had simply sung
it.
4/5
Track 6- More Than A
Memory
This simple number gives a bit more diversity to the album
in that it gives a bit of a relationship retrospective and features a more down
tempo, contemplative tone with just a dash of sadness. Lyrically the songs more
intriguing, perhaps because the song as a whole just has more depth to it,
whilst still sticking to the pop sensibilities of the record and creating a
catchy, easy to learn pop hook. The steady drum beat gives and piano like
production (not sure what it is actually, if someone could help me would be
helpful) gives just a nice layer to the record, although it could have been
downplayed in the verses just a little more just to give the chorus a little
kick. The only thing is that Jepsen’s thin vocals make us question just a
little whether she is totally invested in the track. But that really can’t be
helped, so it is not something she should be critiqued for, it is merely an
observation.
3/5
Track 7- Turn Me Up
This is one of the best tracks on the album. It has a very
Robyn esque feel to it and has an electro, dancey undertone, but still keeps in
that pop vein. The slow building, almost trance like sounding beat within the
verses really works well against Jepsen’s vocals, and builds towards a powerful
chorus. Most importantly within this track is that Jepsen shows that she has
some form of vocal range and plays around with her voice to get the best out of
the track.
4.5/5
Track 8- Hurts So
Good
With its cool “eh eh eh” introduction, this is an uptempo
love rush song that contrasts well with the subtleties of the previous track.
Vocally Jepsen is on form with this song, giving a true sense of freshness and
feeling good whilst hurt by love. Lyrically the songs is very fast paced, which
is enhanced by the frenzied production. It’s a nice simple track that you can
put on if you want to dance around in your bedroom.
3/5
Track 9- Beautiful
(with Justin Bieber)
This is the track that everyone was excited for and made
total sense as they were signed to the same management and label in the US and
Justin kind of discovered Jepsen. But anyone with ears would know that this
isn’t a great song. Sure their harmonies are pretty good and the song is a sweet
sentiment, but it’s just too sweet, and the acoustic production is just boring.
Unfortunately the worst song on the record.
1.5/5
Track 10- Tonight I’m
Getting Over You
The popness of the album is giving a dance flavouring on
this track. Produced by the brilliant Max Martin, the soft vocal verses with
their prominent essence of melodrama contrast perfectly with powerful and
simple refrain, which consist of a mere repetition of the tracks title. And
this refrain is elevated through the aggressive production beats that
immediately signal this as a dancefloor number.
4/5
Track 11- Guitar
String/ Wedding Ring
This up tempo number features a cool electric guitar groove,
and the fast paced chorus is a great pop ditty. Lyrically the song works well
in the chorus but is a little to clichéd within the verses, and Jepsen’s voice just
comes across as annoying rather than sweet, unfortunately.
2.5/5
Track 12- Your Heart
Is A Muscle
This typical ballad end to the album is co written and
produced by Toby Gad, who could have created something better with Jepsen. It
gives a bit diversity to the album from the sugar rush pop and has a sense of
vulnerability, more so than on some of the other songs. Yet lyrically it’s a
little too clichéd, and though vocally Jepsen plays to the softness of her
voice, the production and message of the track is just so so. If Jepsen really
wants to end any future albums on a ballady note then she will need to really
craft a song and make sure she puts the time into it.
2/5
Final Review
Okay so Jepsen really plays on the sugary sweetness of her
pop status, and this is just a bit too much for a full album. There are some
great tracks, but it needs a more lyrical diversity and depth, as well as more
diversity production wise, because it is just too much of an overload. Good
album but try to get the second one more solid and polished.
6/10
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