The Evolution of Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen releases six-song EP, Curiosity.

Since her third-place finish on Canadian Idol in 2007, Mission, B.C. singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen’s star has been on the rise. After the 2008 release of her debut album, Tug of War, for which the title track received a Canadian Radio Music Award for Song of the Year, Jepsen’s career took another big jump when she signed with Vancouver record label 604 Records.
 
With a new label behind her, Jepsen got to work on Curiosity, a six-song EP being released this February 14. Youthink recently caught up with the young singer before a performance in Vancouver to hear more about her latest album.

According to Jepsen, Curiosity promises to have a different sound compared to Tug Of War. Instead of her acoustic-folk approach, she opted for more buoyant and lively creations, inspired by the likes of Dragonette and La Roux.

“My go-to has always been the acoustic, more folk song, and pop has been a new-found love for me,” says Jepsen.
 
Despite a new sound, one thing that hasn’t changed is Jepsen’s curiosity with the topic of love, which also happens to be the title and main theme of her new EP.
 
“I have a bit of a fascination with love stories in general, and I think when my girlfriends are telling me about their woes and their excitement over a boy, I’m that girl the goes deeper and wants to know every little detail. I think it’s a never-ending inspiration for me… and seems natural the album is based on those themes,” explains Jepsen.
 
This theme is evident in the poppy lead single, Call Me Maybe, a song about a girl making the first move, which was an idea that really intrigued Jepsen.
 
“I think it was the idea of being brave that really attracted me. I’m not that brave. I would never go up to a guy and give him my number, and I think that’s the nice thing about music is you get to pretend to be braver than you are.”
 
Appropriately, Curiosity will be released on Valentine’s Day, the day when love and relationships are at the forefront or most people’s minds. And, according to Jepsen, her latest release has definitely been a labour of love.

“I’ve worked so long and hard on this project, I would actually call it the project of my life because it has just taken up so much of my time over the past few years,” she says.
 
In fact, Jepsen spent two years writing up to 40 to 50 songs to chose from for this collection. Despite everything that she has put into this EP, Jepsen is taking a relaxed approach to the upcoming release.
 
“I have hopes, of course, but I truly think of putting all of my energy into the making of [the album]… because as soon as I press “release” on that go button, I let go of any expectations other than I kind of hope and think it would be nice if the CD could be liked and that it can make you feel dance-y.”
 
Curious if Jepsen’s new album will make you feel dance-y? Give it a listen this Valentine’s Day. Find out more at Carly Rae Jepsen's official website.