Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated review: A positively jubilant album, covering the full spectrum of love, lust and break-ups
After the critically acclaimed ‘Emotion’ failed to set the charts alight, perhaps its polished pop follow-up will get Jepsen the recognition she deserves
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It’s a wonder that Carly Rae Jepsen’s albums aren’t more commercially successful. When her catchy “Call Me Maybe” took off in 2012, following an endorsement from Justin Bieber, it racked up well over a billion listens on YouTube.
Some wrote her off as a one-hit wonder, but Jepsen had real talent: her most recent album, 2015’s Emotion, was critically acclaimed. And yet it didn’t make the UK top 20, and even in her native Canada only reached No 8.
Why? Is it because she’s not a fully sculpted pop personality? Or is it because her songs – big, bubbly, radio-friendly pop – are so, well, happy?
The 33-year-old’s fourth album, Dedicated, covers the full, but generic, spectrum of relationships: dizzying love, lust, and break-ups. But whether she’s pining for the return of a former love in the funky disco banger “Julien”, or singing about masturbating post-break-up in lead single “Party For One” (“I’ll be the one/ If you don’t care about me/ Making love to myself/ Back on my beat”), the vibe remains positively jubilant.
The euphoric, Eighties synth-laden “Want You in My Room” is most distinctive, both vocally and melodically, and was co-written and produced by Jack Antonoff, indie tunesmith for fun. and Bleachers.
But “Party For One” remains the album’s highlight, harnessing the bouncy energy of Jepsen’s breakout hit. It is the perfect upbeat end to an album of polished pop. Perhaps this will put her at the top where she belongs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments