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E•MO•TION: Review


IICHLIWP

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I'm back back back back back again for my second review because I'm bored as fuck!

Today I'm going to review Carly Rae Jepsen's "Emotion" (stylized as "E•MO•TION"). At first, diving into this album I didn't have too many high expectations. I was tempted to listen to the whole album after hearing the brilliant singles "Run Away With Me" and "Your Type", both songs making a lasting impression on me, however my thoughts on Carly Rae Jepsen were still conflicted after the bubblegum pop endeavours of her earlier work including the single we'll never forget, "Call Me Maybe". Although both singles blew me away I still assumed they were singles for a reason and that the rest of the album would be mediocre at best by Jepsen's standards. However, my bias was certainly proved wrong because this is such an incredible and underrated pop album, definitely proving Jepsen as a strong pop musician. Unlike her earlier work, although this album still has a fun and light-hearted feeling to it, it simultaneously feels much more creative and intuitive which makes the biggest difference in Jepsen's overall presentation and makes for an album that proves able to be fun and entertaining yet insightful to some degree, which is what I think Jepsen was really missing in her early stuff. Without further ado, let me jump into a track-by-track review.

 

1. Run Away With Me: Honestly, an absolutely perfect album opener. This is one of the strongest lead singles from a pop album I've heard in a long time and it's a shame it didn't receive the mainstream recognition it deserved. Right off the bat, this is my favorite track off of the album. Sometimes, having the first track be strongest can be a weak quality in an album, because it sets up for disappointment. However, although Run Away With Me is the strongest track, the others manage to keep up with the mood and path that it sets, which allows this song to serve as a brilliant opener which gives us an opening vibe to prepare us for the rest of the album, which is wonderful. Not only that, but the upbeat thematics of the song also make it a strategic placement for the album opener. Everything about this song makes for a perfect pop song. Not only are Jepsen's vocals amazing, but the synth production is absolutely outstanding and puts me in such a good mood. Also, for such a light hearted song, the lyricism is actually not bad, and there are some really awesome lines thrown in there, such as "I'll be your sinner in secret". Overall, this is an absolute flawless execution of a pop song and I think it's by far one of the standouts on the album - and an obvious choice for lead single. 10/10

 

2. E•MO•TION: Ironically, after the absolutely brilliant standout as our opener, I feel like this title track is one of the weakest. Now, thankfully it doesn't necessarily ruin the brilliant vibe that "Run Away With Me" sets us up with, but it definitely throws it off a bit. The production on this one is much less distinct, and an overwhelming upbeat-ness clouds the fact that this song really lacks any unique character or personality of it's own. It gets lost in the midst of the album as a filler track. This lack of distinction also makes this song a let down as a title track. It's mostly the production on this one that sets it off course, opting for a briskly bubblegum sound which does little to solidify the uniqueness Jepsen aimed for. Lyrically, it's nothing special either. The vocals are yet again quite nice but nothing to save this song from being any less forgettable. If this song wasn't the title track, I would forget it existed. 4/10

 

3. I Really Like You: Now this is "Call Me Maybe" done right! This is what the title track was aiming to create but failed at. Although flamboyantly bubblegum, I Really Like You mixes adorably upbeat bubblegum moods and themes with a synth-pop edge that makes for a song that manages to feel unique and characteristically realized which is exactly what the title track was missing. Probably the most light-hearted song on the album, this song is just pure dreams, smiles and rainbows, and it's amazing!! A brilliant choice as a single, if you ask me. The lyrics are of course quite simple but executed in the best way possible. The instrumental is flawless and the touch of the "hey!"s in the background, and other little details like that, bring the song to it's full potential. Jepsen's vocals once again prove to be really strong, but this time, heightened by a complimentary instrumental and atmosphere. This song is a prime example of the absolute perfect way to create a bubblegum pop song and it's one of the most brilliant standouts on the album. 10/10

 

4. Gimmie Love: Now, this track is such a wonderful "key change" of sorts through the album. The first three tracks prove to be wholly upbeat, happy and fun, which although really entertaining, could get very tiring and reductive if the whole album was like so. Gimmie Love is the much needed break from overwhelming upbeatness, and in a really strategic position, too, at track number four. The vocals are simple but beautifully executed. Although the instrumental is much lower-key than the other three tracks, it still finds a way to define it's self individually, which again, was what the title track was missing. And even though it's a lower-key song, there's still a wonderful catchyness about it and there's a nice kick and cute beat to make the song remain fun and pop without having to be an overwhelming bundle of joy and happiness. The lyrics are simple and cute, but conceptually, nothing too special, but again, this is a really cute track and a much needed break on the album. 9/10

 

5. All That: Now, this is TRULY a breakaway track and something so fresh and unseen for the album. I love every single element that Carly experimented with for this song. Although this song had a lot of potential to become any other little sweet ballad or poetic love song, it became so much more because of it's production and full realization. Carly and her team did such a fucking outstanding job at making this a throwback 80s ballad without (a.) becoming lost in trying to recreate a theme and in turn, having the song come off as pretentious and dumb (b.) not committing to the theme enough and failing at paying homage to such an iconic style, or (c.) failing to add a new, unique and individual aspect to it and instead having the song just become a knock-off or nothing more than a parody. The 80s style is recreated in such a brilliant way and the execution is so authentic because it still manages to feel signature - like a Carly Rae Jepsen song, or at least like a song off of this album, rather than a parody or copycat. Even the conceptualization of the lyrics is absolutely fucking genius and this doesn't even have to be the most spectacular song in terms of vocals to really be a huge standout. Flawless! 10/10

 

6. Boy Problems: Moving on to one of the other singles on the album, we have this adorable little tune, Boy Problems. Firstly, I'd like to say that I really like the concept and the execution behind the lyrics. It doesn't have to be the deepest or most intuitive song ever written to still have some lyrics that are written really, really well, and I actually really appreciate the lyricism in this track - although it's simple in nature, it's effective in concept. This song is super groovy and again piggybacks off of that lovely 80s throwback style that the whole album has been serving. Again, similar to "All That", the song doesn't seem to lose it's own identity in an attempt to pay homage which is key for executing a throwback style. Can I also say that I really appreciate those adorable "na na na na na na"s in the choruses that really add something so spicy and fun to this song. However, I do think that the track, especially as a single, is just missing a certain little something. Maybe it needed a really powerful vocal moment, or some more kick to the production - there's just a little feeling missing that wont let me give this one a ten. Still, though, a great song. 9/10

 

7. Making The Most Of The Night: My god, this album is just filled with powerful song after powerful song. It's crazy that thus far, the only song that's let me down at all was the title track it's self. And let me say, this track right here is for sure the second best on the album behind "Run Away With Me". From the very start of the song it has such a powerful and unique energy. There's something so whimsical and magical about that intro that makes me vibeeeeeee. Then those beats kick in god damn. In isolation, all of the elements of this track are done brilliantly. The vocals are absolutely lovely, and unlike "Boy Problems", Jepsen varies and fluctuates her voice throughout the track which really adds something big to it's overall feeling. The production is also done flawlessly and is one of the more unique production jobs on the album. The 80s throwback vibes are still there, but this feels completely revolutionized in terms of instrumental, and the uniqueness of those lullaby effects and whimsical sounds means that this song has such a huge identity of it's own. Even the lyrics are really well written and put a smile on my face. This is the epitome of well-executed pop music. 10/10

 

8. Your Type: CAN CARLY SLAY JESUS DO NO WRONG OH MY GOD. Yet ANOTHER amazing fucking track on this album, what the fuck?! Jesus, I have so much to say about this one. This is the song that inspired me to look further into Carly, specifically this album, because of how truly amazing it is, and because of how huge of a stretch it is from her earlier stuff. This song is actually so god damn incredible and is put together with such finesse, it's crazy, honestly. First of all, that absolutely amazing production which manages to keep the song's emotions flowing, yet also have such a sick kick that you can get down to and cry along with at the same time. The lyricism on this song is, in my opinion, the best on the entire album. The lyrics are so beautiful, raw and emotional and they're only heightened by the vocals. I can literally feel Carly' whole heart as she sings and it's so vulnerable and amazing. You can really, really tell that this song was written from a place of some really deep emotion (no pun intended) and that's so respectable. This song is just so intuitive and creative and proves Carly as quite a genuine and artistic force in modern pop. I also love the fact that this track was chosen as a single because it makes it feel even more authentic knowing that it's one of Carly's favorites, too. 10/10

 

9. Let's Get Lost: To be honest, I'm actually so thrilled to finally have a bad song after that seemingly-endless streak of flawless tracks. Yeah, this one is.... not good. This track is such a vibe-ruiner, to be completely honest. As the album is flowing, we're getting such powerful songs like "Your Type" and "All That - and then really flawless bangers like "Run Away With Me" and "Making The Most Of The Night" and then this song shows up, and honestly, it just feels so juvenile. There's seriously something so kidz bop about this track and it's not cute. The production on this one is so much lower-key than the rest of the album, but still tries to serve some high-energy, dance-power, but it does not work at all. That idea was executed millions of times better on "Gimmie Love". Honestly, this is just a bad song, nothing much to say. There's nothing special in her vocals at all, and she demonstrated some really great range and singing ability earlier on in the album. Hell, even the title track had some salvageable vocals. This one is just boring. I also really dislike the lyrics - they portray Carly as sort of a callous, player-ish character and it gives me bad vibes. 2/10

 

10. LA Hallucinations: Thankfully, LA Hallucinations jumps in to save the course of the tracklist once again! Thank lord for this song because "Let's Get Lost" really set the album off course. This is such a standout on the album in terms of uniqueness. It's a lot different than a lot of the other material on here, but still manages to feel cohesive and in-place which is a great feat. From the very beginning of that instrumental, you can feel something fresh and new which I really appreciate. I also love that this song actually feels less-80s inspired. It's nice to take a little second away from the whole 80s thing. It's still cohesive in terms of 80s inspiration, there's some digital vibes going on, but overall, it feels like it's its own little moment on the album and I really like that. The verses are absolutely incredible and THAT GIGGLE IN THE FIRST VERSE GETS ME EVERY MOTHERFUCKING TIME HONEY. There's something trappy about this song and I love it. The lyrics are also so fucking cool, and such a brilliant and much-needed break from all of the romance themes. In fact, looking back, all songs except "Making The Most Of The Night" were centered around themes of romance, this break from that is so lovely. The choruses aren't as strong as the verses in my opinion, but still really cool. However, I do think that the bridge is the weakest point in this song, it's not necessarily bad, but not good compared to the rest of the track. Also, similar to "Boy Problems", I do feel like this track is missing a little something something here and there. Never-the-less, a brilliant song. 9/10

 

11. Warm Blood: Fuck me UP. Talk about a standout!! This song is truly such a special moment on the album and I think everybody who's a fan of this album has so much fucking respect for every single thing that Carly did on this track. This is such a huge step-away from the rest of the album and holy fuck, it's so amazing. Carly really broke away from some of the more commercial, radio-friendly sounds she was rocking with and created something so fucking cool, unique, creative, artistic, intuitive, experimental, and everything in between. Let's start with the lyrics which are AMAZING. Do I care that we're back to romance? Not at all. Wanna know why? BECAUSE BITCH CAN WRITE. The lyrics are actually so flawless and I'm shook. The production on this track is the strongest on the whole entire album which is saying a lot because the production is by far one of the strongest features on the album. Holy fuck, all of the amazing experimentation, the sickening vocal effects, and that deadass amazing synthy kick, this is one seriously well-produced song. Even the vocals are so god damn cool, they're lower key yet they still manage to express some huge vocal talents. This is by far the most unique song on the entire album and it's such a huge standout, I love this one so much. So proud of Carly. 10/10

 

12. When I Needed You: Blegh. Really, really disappointed in this ending. I'm gonna keep this one short because there's little to say about this song at all. Production is really....... uhhhh. Reminiscent of title track and "Let's Get Lost". Lyrics..... really suck. Vocals are unimpressive. The only redeeming quality in this track is those little "You come to me in dreams at night" moments which are cute. This track is.... bad. Such a weak note to end such a great album on, really, really disappointing. 2/10

 

Overall: 105/120 or 88%

Favorite songs: Run Away With Me, I Really Like You, Making The Most Of The Night, Your Type, Warm Blood

Least favorite songs: Emotion, Let's Get Lost, When I Needed You

 

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