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Curiosity (EP)

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Untitled

Curiosity is the first extended play and second major release by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released on February 14, 2012 through 604 Records. Initially planned as a full-length album, the label decibed to transform it into an extended play due to a last minute decision. Several tracks were left out of the EP, including a collaboration with pop singer Justin Bieber. Musically, Curiosity is a pop album influenced by several genres such as disco, dance-pop and R&B, while its lyrical content is mostly about love.

Contemporary critics gave generally positive reviews to the album, mostly praising the quality of the tracks, and deeming it as mainstream yet not annoying. Its lead single, "Call Me Maybe", was a commercial success, reaching number one in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, while peaking inside the top ten in Australia, Belgium (Wallonia), Netherlands, and United States. The EP was first released in Canada only. Therefore, it was only able to chart on the Canadian Albums Chart, where it debuted and peaked at number six.

Background

Jepsen's sophomore album was initially planned to be released on the Valentine's Day of 2011. The singer, however, chose not to release it, because she wanted to make sure she "got the second CD right. I think I got a little nervous about the idea of the sophomore being a little less-than because it's so rushed. So I wanted to give myself the time to not feel that pressure."[1] She then worked with songwriter Josh Ramsay and producer Ryan Stewart on most of the album's tracks.[1] Jepsen's songwriting proccess was inspired by her life and friends.[2] After the recording sessions were completed, Curiosity was announced as a full-length album,[1] with a digital release date confirmed for February 14, 2012.[3] A few days before its official release, however, the label decided to change the format of the album, turning it into an extended play.[1] Jepsen had also recorded a track with Justin Bieber, which was originally going to be included on the final track listing. She stated that the collaboration "isn't out of the question considering we've already gotten together and worked on a little something. But for when that will come out, your guess is as good as mine, but hopefully soon. I like the song."[4]

Composition

"Both Sides Now"
A 23-second sample of the chorus which features Jepsen singing the ballad over an upbeat bubblegum pop influenced background.[5][6]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The EP opens with "Call Me Maybe", an upbeat track that draws influences from dance-pop and R&B.[7] The clever lyrics of the song describes the "infatuation and inconvenience of a love at first sight," as described by Bill Lamb of About.com.[8] During the pre-chorus, the singer states, "Ripped jeans, skin was showing/Hot night, wind was blowing/Where you think you’re going, baby?"[7] As the chorus begins, the background incorporates synthesized string chords, and she sings, "Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me maybe."[8][9] Melody Lau of Rolling Stone wrote that "Call Me Maybe" is a "Taylor Swift meets Robyn" song.[10] The title track, "Curiosity", has a similar sound to "Call Me Maybe", and features heavy dance beats and catchy hooks.[11] In the song, Jepsen sings about being poorly treated by a bad boy, and beggs for more of his love.[5] "Picture" is a ballad that focuses on patience in a relationship.[6] Critics noted that the song would work well during the climax of a motion picture due to its lyrical content.[11] "Talk to Me" and "Just a Step Away" were both described as mid-tempo pop songs that alludes to summer love, teen love and that first crush.[5][6] Fiona Eadie of Cadence Canada noted that in both tracks, Carly is able to transcend the listener "to a porch swing or riding a bicycle along an old dirt road in the countryside’s summer sunshine. Her voice sings the highs and lows of love and everything that comes along with it."[5] The final song is a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now". Musically, the song is also an upbeat ballad, and differs from the original version in the sense that Jepsen's version is "fresh and modern with her unique bubblegum twist."[5] Critics also added that Jepsen will be able to "attract a new generation to this widely recognized hit" with her "unique version."[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[11]
Allmusic[12]
Cadence Canada(favorable)[5]
idobi Radio[6]

Curiosity received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. Bill Lamb of About.com began his review stating that it is always interesting to have new artists making music both familiar and fresh. He went to describe the six "electronic pop songs strong, almost too short to be satisfying but immensely repeatable."[11] Lamb also added that Jepsen is a blend of Demi Lovato's emotional style with Jessie J's "flat out drudgery."[11] Allmusic critic Jon O'Brien stated that, when compared to Jepsen's previous effort Tug of War (2008), the EP "unexpectedly abandons her previous singer/songwriter approach in favor of an unashamed bubblegum sound which harks back to the early 2000s pop princess glory days of Britney, Christina, Jessica, and Mandy."[12] Fiona Eadie of Cadence Canada described the musical style of the album as "pop. But not in the annoying, auto-tune, and talentless way. Her perfectly pitched voice makes it clear that this girl has real talent."[5] Eadie summarized her review saying that Curiosity "is filled with music that dances. And it is your choice to listen to it with or without a hairbrush (a.k.a. microphone) in front of your bedroom mirror. Overall a great EP. I can’t wait to put the top down and blast her tunes all summer."[5] Jen Appel of idobi Radio commented that, overall, Curiosity is the kind of extended play that brings attention from the teenage public due to its mainstream songs, and added, "if you are looking for fun, lovable songs to make you smile, this is your go-to mix."[6] Appel only criticized the lyrical content, noting that it is "very childish but seem to work with the music nonetheless."[6]

Singles

"Call Me Maybe" was released as the lead single from the EP on September 20, 2011.[13] After pop singers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez tweeted about the song, Jepsen gained international attention and got signed to Schoolboy Records, releasing her single in the United States through the label.[14] The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics, who praised its composition and clever lyrical content, while deeming it as the perfect pop song.[8][15] "Call Me Maybe" has attained commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Ireland, New Zealand, while peaking inside the top ten in Australia, Belgium (Wallonia) and Netherlands.[16] After reaching the top position in Canada also, Jepsen became the fifth Canadian artist to do so in her home country.[17] In the United States, the track has reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 on the Pop Songs chart.[18] An accompanying music video portrays Jepsen trying to gain attention from her attractive neighbour, who is revealed to be homosexual at the close of the story.[7] The singer has performed the track live a few times, including on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she made her US television debut.[19]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Call Me Maybe"Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, Tavish CroweRamsay3:13
2."Curiosity"Jepsen, Ryan StewartStewart3:26
3."Picture"JepsenStewart3:03
4."Talk to Me"Jepsen, Ryan StewartStewart2:51
5."Just a Step Away"Jepsen, Larry Jepsen, Ryan StewartStewart3:46
6."Both Sides Now"Joni MitchellStewart3:52
Total length:20:11

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canadian Albums Chart[20] 6

References

  1. ^ a b c d Marchand, Francois (February 17, 2012). "Curiosity Didn't Kill Carly Rae Jepsen". The Vancouver Sun. Kevin D. Bent. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  2. ^ Chandel, Natasha (March 15, 2012). "Justin Bieber Protege Carly Rae Jepsen Piques Our Curiosity". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  3. ^ "Curiosity - EP by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  4. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (March 13, 2012). "Justin Bieber Collabo 'Isn't Out Of The Question' For Carly Rae Jepsen". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Eadie, Fiona (March 7, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – Curiosity". Cadence Canada. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Appel, Jen (March 14, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – Curiosity: Album Review". idobi Radio. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (March 16, 2012). "Small-Town Sentiments, Bass From the World Over". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c Lamb, Bill. "Carly Rae Jepsen - "Call Me Maybe"". About.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (March 13, 2012). "Who is Carly Rae Jepsen and why does Justin Bieber love her?". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  10. ^ Lau, Melody (March 12, 2012). "Justin Bieber Gives Singer Carly Rae Jepsen a Boost". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e Norman, Ben (February 14, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen - 'Curiosity EP' Review". About.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  12. ^ a b O'Brien, Jon (February 14, 2012). "Curiosity - Carly Rae Jepsen". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  13. ^ "Call Me Maybe - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. September 20, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  14. ^ Kurchak, Sarah (March 12, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen, 'Call Me Maybe': Singer Reveals How Justin Bieber's Tweet Sent Her Into Pop Stratosphere". AOL Radio. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  15. ^ Carmichael, Emma (March 9, 2012). "Have You Heard 'Call Me Maybe,' the New Perfect Pop Song?". Gawker. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  16. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  17. ^ "Ask Billboard: Madonna's Biggest Radio Hits". Billboard. Prometheus Glboal Media. February 4, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  18. ^ "Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  19. ^ Exton, Emily (March 23, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen introduces Herself". Pop Dust. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  20. ^ "Canadian Albums Chart - Week of March 3, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 3, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
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