"The Loneliest Time – Carly Rae Jepsen" Aging with Grace

 


    Why did no one tell me Carly Rae Jepsen is almost 37? I can distinctly remember 10 years ago when Call Me Maybe was released, thinking it was annoying because she sang about boys. Looking back, oh how the times have changed, as I become more entrenched in queer culture, I begin to understand the obsession with the undisputed queen of pop that is Carly Rae Jepsen. From hits like Julien to Run Away With Me, I would wholeheartedly trust Carly to make a soundtrack to my life. I'll admit, this is the most excited I've been for a release in ages, and frankly I had more faith in this album than Taylor Swift's Midnights which also happened to release recently.

The Loneliest Time – Carly Rae Jepsen

Surrender My Heart – 90/100 Carly is swearing which is different, but I'm not quite sure how much better this song can get because it's an amazing opener. Its loud, vibrant and I love the chorus. The more I listen to this song the better it gets.

Joshua Tree – 80/100 Carly is trying a different sound and while I’m not too crazy about the dadadadadadada’s the verses are still nice and I enjoy how groovy this song is because of the bass guitar.

Talking To Yourself – 90/100 Absolutely so catchy, this chorus is stuck in my head and for good reason, its amazing and the lyrics are kind of hot to be honest. Not sure what else you could ask from this song. After one listen, I went oh? But this one grew on me faster than a teenage boy going through puberty.

Far Away – 80/100 This song was kind of lukewarm with the verses but I dig the direction the chorus was going its smooth and while I’m not too crazy over that weird thing in the background I’m kind of getting jungle vibes from this song? Its weird but good 

Sideways – 80/100 I’m kind of liking these slower groovier tracks Carly keeps on pushing with this album she’s really impressed me. Really leaning into these style of tracks and so far I think I enjoy this album more than Dedicated.

Beach House – 75/100 A pretty cheeky track and overall a fun track, it definitely took some time to grow on me because I wasn’t too hot about it when she first released it as a single. 

Bends – 70/100 I usually like slow Carly tracks, but this one never really climaxed or did more than what it started with. I would like if there was a bit more to this track, a bit more oomf.

Western Wind – 80/100 This track is not really like any other song on the album if I’m going to be honest. It kind of gave off Solar Power by Lorde vibes which scared me a bit but it’s a chill track that I would be able to jam to when I’m happy.

So Nice – 75/100 this song is good but I’m not too crazy about it, not sure how I feel about the chorus, which it had a bit more like the bends 

Bad Thing Twice – 75/100 Kind of wish it had a bit more but still a fine track

Shooting Star 70/100 Not really crazy about the vocal effect on Carly’s voice to be honest

Go Find Yourself or Whatever – 60/100 I really wanted to like a slow carly track but I’m not feeling any of them this time around.

The Loneliest Time – 95/100 Literally what else could I ask for. This tune is catchy, not too short and the chemistry between Rufus and Carly is fun. The melody is great and its upbeat and hopeful

Bonus Tracks

Anxious – 75/100 I like the bassline but this song is nothing too crazy

No Thinking Over the Weekend – 70/100 Chill Song nothing too much to say about it

Keep Away – 70/100 basically the same thing as No Thinking over the Weekend. I would have enjoyed a much stronger vocal performance on an emotional slow track though, like in Heartbeat or Favourite Colour.

Score: 79/100

    Overall this is one of Carly's strongest projects to date. Obviously Emotion is THE Carly record but I was pleasantly surprised with The Loneliest Time and while I may not be brave enough to put it over Emotion this album is so catchy and groovy. While it doesn't have the strong slow track that I've come to expect from Carly albums, this album is so consistent  and overall well put together. As the first Carly Rae Jepsen release cycle I've been a part of, I can see why people go so crazy over her because this album is pop perfection, and is simply another notch in an impressive discography for the LGBTQ+ icon.

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