Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated | Album Review 💿

Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen makes a strong comeback on her fourth studio album Dedicated, which ranks among the crème de la crème of 2019. 

“Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy / But here’s my number, so call me maybe.” Honestly, there’s no denying the sole hit that Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen is known for, “Call Me Maybe”, from her 2012 sophomore album, Kiss.  That said, Jepsen is definitely more than a ‘one-trick pony’ – more than a ‘one-hit wonder.’  The evidence is loud and clear on her fourth studio album, Dedicated, which arrives four years after Emotion (2015).  Cutting straight to the chase, Dedicated is a fine pop album through and through.

“Julien” 

✓ “Julien” kicks off Dedicated in groovy and infectious fashion.  Kyle Shearer does wonders from a production standpoint, masterfully capturing a neo-80s pop sound, mixed with modern pop sensibilities.  Carly Rae Jepsen delivers a compelling, playful vocal performance, shining brightest on the catchy chorus: “Julien, in your heart, yeah, you must believe / Julien, it was more than a fantasy…” John Hill and Jordan Palmer help construct the magic of follow-up ✓ “No Drug Like Me” with their sleek production touches.  The electro-/ synth-pop sound is a great fit for Jepsen, who continues to ‘do work.’  She’s at her best when she ascends in her upper register. Again, the crème de la crème of the song is the chorus:

“And if you make me feel in love, then I’ll blossom for you
If you make me open up, I’ll tell only the truth
When your mouth is running dry
Your head high, hold on, baby
You ain’t tried no drug like me.”  

“Now That I Found You” keeps Dedicated rolling along without a hitch.  The groove continues to be a driving force.  Furthermore, Jepsen continues to impress thanks to a nice blend of personality and sweet, appealing vocals.  Sure, the songwriting offers nothing ‘brand-new,’ but it’s ‘tried-and-true’ and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“Want You in My Room”

“Want You in My Room” reveals its cards with its title, further exemplified by the lyrics.  Even so, it’s incredibly flirty, fun, and playful.  Carly Rae Jepsen sings about sex without ‘breaking a sweat’ or dare uttering the universal three-letter word. Standout ✓ “Everything He Needs” benefits mightily from its sample of “He Needs Me”, penned by Harry Nilsson. It goes deeper than an interpolation of a song from Popeye though. Ben Romans and CJ Baran assemble stellar production beyond the Shelley Duvall gem, while Jepsen amplifies the tongue-in-cheek, providing the necessary personality to sell this ‘novel’ cut.

Moving on, John Hill and Jordan Palmer (“Julien”) help ‘fuel the fire’ once more on the bubbly, groovy, 80s-tinged “Happy Not Knowing.” “Happy Not Knowing” just feels good – it totally feels right. ✓ “I’ll Be Your Girl” is a great change of pace on Dedicated.  How so? It embraces reggae and ska without overdoing or overexerting either. This isn’t a sound we normally associated with Jepsen, but she sells it as she sells everything else on the album.  It’s up-tempo, flirty, and a pure delight on the ears.  John Hill continues as producer, alongside Patrik Berger this round. The change in sound palette coupled with the familiar sounds and cues recurrent throughout the album make this one the gem that it is.

“Too Much”

Hill continues to drop hot production work on “Too Much,” with Jordan Palmer co-producing.  From the Carly Rae Jepsen perspective, this is another winner by all means without necessarily being the main attraction. Still, those breathy vocals are pretty irresistible. ✓ “The Sound” kicks things up a notch, finding Jepsen delivering slightly more assertive, biting vocals – contextually of course – she’s still relatively cool.  Once more, the 80s are in fashion one again, with superb production by English Breakfast (Tommy English and Noah Breakfast).  The chorus is golden: “I don’t need the words / I want the sound, sound, sound, sound, sound.”

John Hill is back on the boards once more on “Automatically in Love,” working with Rogét Chahayad.  The results continue to be positive from all parties involved.  Again, the sweet spot for Jepsen is the chorus.  Hill, Palmer, and Asa Taccone (Electric Guest) stitch up the sole song with a featured guest, “Feels Right.” Electric Guest complements Jepsen superbly with some ripe falsetto without overshadowing the pop star who’s very much in commanding on this bright, energetic, major-key gem.  Jepsen’s particularly assertive on the bridge as she sings, “I don’t know a thing I’ve done / Livin’ all my life with no damn one / You’re the one to change my mind / ‘Cause it feels right, when it feels right.”

“Right Words Wrong Time” 

Alex Hope and Rogét Chahayad deliver strong co-writing and co-production on “Right Words Wrong Time,” another record that finds Carly Rae Jepsen flexing her craft.  The layered vocals are one of the selling points here in particular. “Real Love” marks the sole production contributed by James Flannigan (additional production by Koz and Jim Alxndr).  This is a pleasant modern electro-pop that closes the standard edition of the album.  If this is how you happen to end Dedicated, it’s a winner.  Some of us get spoiled with more. “For Sure” marks the first of two bonus cuts depending where you stream or buy Dedicated.  It’s worthwhile, but it’s the second bonus cut that draws the most attention.

“You don’t want my love / If you don’t care about me / I’ll just dance for myself / Back on my beat / Party for one / If you don’t care about me / Making love to myself / Back on my beat…” ✓ “Party for One”, which appeared on the year-in-review list 100 Best Songs of 2018 (#98), is a hella catchy anthem of self-love. Jepsen keeps things ‘short and sweet,’ featuring bright, shimmering, driving production work (Captain Cuts and HIGHTOWER).  Naturally, this bubbly sounding pop suits her.  Even though the ‘party’ is modern, like many instances on Dedicated, it also incorporates 80s vibes. The best moment of the record is the aforementioned catchy, powerful, and enthusiastic chorus, where the production becomes more robust, as do Jepsen’s vocals. Her vocal performance is enjoyable, and she exhibits great personality. Strong way to conclude Dedicated in its expanded editions.

Final Thoughts

As aforementioned, Dedicated is a fine pop album through and through.  Carly Rae Jepsen is consistent throughout, delivering lovely vocal performances chocked-full of personality.  The production team are on-point throughout as well, giving Jepsen fitting backgrounds to paint over.  The songwriting is also winning, even when things are kept simple thanks to relatable lyrics and most of all catchy choruses.  Are there any serious rubs? None – this is a pop album on autopilot from start to finish. 

✓ Gems: “Julien,” “No Drug Like Me,” “Everything He Needs,” “I’ll Be Your Girl,” “The Sound” & “Party for One”  

Carly Rae Jepsen • Dedicated • Schoolboy / Interscope • Release: 5.17.19
Photo Credits: Schoolboy / Interscope