Friday 21st October turned out to be a spectacular day for new music with both Arctic Monkeys and Taylor Swift releasing albums that now see them locked in a race to claim the no.1 spot in the album charts. But one album that may have slipped under the radar is Carly Rae Jepsen's sixth studio album, 'The Loneliest Time', a lockdown project capturing themes of isolation, self-reflection and her love of retro music.
Whilst Jepsen is known for her smash hit 'Call Me Maybe', the song does not fully reflect the singer's incredibly rich discography filled with fun, bubble-gum synth-pop tracks. From the highly underrated pop escapist work of 'Emotion' to the modern-pop soundscape of 'Dedicated', Jepsen has been treated as an underdog within the music industry. However, 'The Loneliest Time' proves that Jepsen has a talent for crafting catchy pop melodies that will cement her as an influential pop artist for generations to come.
"So I've been tryin' hard to open up/ When I lost someone, it hit me rough/ I paid to toughen up in therapy/ She said to me, "Soften up"
Her latest album draws sonic influence from 'Emotion' but moves towards highly personalised songwriting that charts the singer's experiences of creating music during lockdown whilst dealing with grief and heartbreak. By shifting her focus to writing songs from the heart, 'The Loneliest Time' features upbeat pop anthems like 'Talking To Yourself' that complement the slow, hazy soundscape of 'Western Wind' and bonus track 'Keep Away'. For fans of Jepsen, this album doesn't stray too far from the singer's previous discography but moves towards a new pop sound; one that is not necessarily fixed in place. 'The Loneliest Time' captures the heightened emotions that came with prolonged periods of isolation during lockdown, creating a sense of familiarity that will resonate with her fans and wider listeners. This album was personally one of my favourite releases from the 21st October, and is one that should not be overlooked. Listen to 'The Loneliest Time' by Carly Rae Jepsen in the link above or hear the album in full on my Spotify Reviews Playlist (link in bio).
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