Massachusetts Daily Collegian

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A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Carly Rae Jepsen creates album of pure, perfect pop

MCT

You no longer have to worry about creating that album of pure pop songs – Carly Rae Jepsen has done it for you.

The “Call Me Maybe” singer released her third album, “Kiss,” on Sept. 18. It features the aforementioned hit song that captivated audiences from the spring onward, as well as her follow-up hit, “Good Time,” which features Owl City.

The album doesn’t rely on these old favorites, though. Some might be inclined to give the radio-topping songs a play at first, but once you delve deeper into the album, you realize Jepsen has found legs to stand on.

She’s singing about real relationship issues, and she does it in a very poppy way. Unlike other pop stars, she’s not singing about throwing glitter on her face and going to club. She’s actually being real in her music.

The seventh song on the album, “Turn Me Up,” does this greatly. She sings about “breaking up with you because you’re breaking up with me,” and also about how she never wishes she had a “taste” of the relationship. She’s discussing a true issue that plagues some couples: A viscous cycle of will-we, or won’t-we stay together.

Truth is also prevalent in “This Kiss” as Jepsen debates the difficulties of possibly cheating. She doesn’t outwardly admit to cheating, but she’s feeling the temptation.

The trend continues with “Wrong Feels So Right,” in which Jepsen gets into a deeper issue about having a chance with the object of her adoration. The background house/techno beats give this song a club vibe. It’s that feeling we’ve all dealt with: finally giving in and making a move on the one we cherish most.

The songs are incredibly real in their lyricism, and deal with true issues that many of us have. Jepsen just takes these situations and sings them in an immature tone, which allows the younger demographic to invest in her work.

It’s hard to decide what Jepsen’s next pop hit will be. It could really be any song on the album. Signs might point to “Beautiful,” which features Justin Bieber, who signed Jepsen to his record label, Schoolboy Records. It’s a slower-paced song that relies on old pop tricks, stating that the object of her affection is beautiful because they don’t realize they’re beautiful.

Slow jams continue with “Your Heart is Muscle.” A piano serenade opens the song, coupled with Jepsen’s smoky voice. It has a sadder tone, one that many might listen to when they’re going through some difficult relationship issues.

Jepsen shows her – slightly – edgier dark side in the song “Guitar String/Wedding Ring.” The opening verse is very reminiscent of Michael Jackson, solely in lyric delivery. The lyrics are simple, but she’s getting her message across that she’s not waiting around anymore.

All songs on the album have the ability to be instant hits on the radio. It’s almost frightening that Jepsen could put together an album with that power. Even Britney Spears couldn’t create such a pop album that every song has the potential to be a No. 1 hit.

She’s really got lightning in a bottle.

It’s no question that “Call Me Maybe” will follow the path of songs like “Bye Bye Bye” or “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and be played 10 years after being released for nostalgia and joking purposes. That song will stand the test of time – radio time, that is.

The other songs on this album have the potential to do the same. The titles of the songs are cheesy; some of the lyrics are melodramatic and the album does tend to blend together. But each song has a chance to reach the top of the charts, and stay there.

Jepsen is the beginning of a new era in pop music. Let’s see how long she lasts.

Herb Scribner can be reached at [email protected].

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