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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....

“Call Me Maybe” is a phenomenon. The song has sold over nine million singles worldwide and videos of the infectious hit, sung by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster and even former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, went viral. Bieber was so enamored of the song that he signed the young woman behind it to his label. Now Jepsen, a 26-year-old native of Mission, B.C. and a former Canadian Idol contestant, is poised to capitalize on its success. Featuring the ubiquitous song itself and 11 other numbers, Jepsen’s Kiss is full of supercharged dance pop. The album’s first single, “This Kiss,” produced by LMFAO’s Redfoo, has the same clubby appeal as her mega-hit. And “Good...