Canada’s pop queen faced a frightening prospect trying to match the success of her worldwide smash “Call Me Maybe.” But rather than duplicate the song, which inspired endless covers, parodies and celebrities lip-dubs, Carly Rae Jepsen experimented. For her new album the 29-year-old native of Mission, B.C. sought out a diverse range of writers and producers. The result is a sugar rush of ’80s-style synth sounds with some refreshing hints of sadness. Songs like the infectious “I Really Like You” explore Jepsen’s specialty: the infatuations and flirtations of first love. Nods to the ’80s include “Boy Problems,” a Madonna-style disco number, and “All That,” which boasts a Prince-like sensuality. The most experimental tracks, especially “Warm Blood” and “LA Hallucinations,” feature darker overtones that bring welcome new depth and dimension to her music. “I want to go even weirder on the next album,” says the celebrated “Call Me Maybe” songstress. “My desire now is to see how far I can stretch pop.”
