E•MO•TION cover

E•MO•TION

Released

After unleashing one of the most irresistable (and irritating) earworms of the ’10s, Canadian chanteuse Carly Rae Jepsen made her J-pop album – and, not coincidentally, her masterpiece. “I Really Like You” (the closest thing to “Call Me Maybe” on here) and “Boy Problems” mix modern production with big electrosynth hooks reminiscent of artists like Japanese girl group Perfume. Jepsen herself brings a certain coyness to her persona, aiming squarely for teen girls but with a wink to adult audiences that she’s looking at all this in the rear-view. She never feels disingenuous, though — the title of the album describes her appeal perfectly. The catchy tunes transcend age barriers.

Jeff Treppel

Recommended by

Suggestions
Two Ribbons cover

Two Ribbons

Let's Eat Grandma
Treats cover

Treats

Sleigh Bells
Present Tense cover

Present Tense

Wild Beasts
La vita nuova cover

La vita nuova

Christine and the Queens
Anxiety cover

Anxiety

Autre Ne Veut
Electric cover

Electric

Pet Shop Boys
Ecstatic Arrow cover

Ecstatic Arrow

Virginia Wing