Carly Rae Jepsen

Biography

Carly Rae Jepsen, born November 21, 1985, is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Mission, British Columbia. She developed a passion for musical theatre early on, participating in various school productions. After attending the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Jepsen moved to Vancouver, where she worked several jobs while writing songs and performing in local pubs. Her high school drama teacher encouraged her to audition for the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007. She placed third in the competition, which brought her mainstream attention.

Career Beginnings and "Call Me Maybe"

Following Canadian Idol, Jepsen signed with 604 Records and released her debut studio album, Tug of War, in 2008. The album had a folk-influenced sound and achieved moderate success in Canada. Her international breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of the single "Call Me Maybe". The song became a global phenomenon, reaching number one in over 19 countries and selling more than 18 million copies worldwide. This success led to her signing with Schoolboy Records and Interscope Records. Her six-track EP, Curiosity, which included "Call Me Maybe", was released in Canada in February 2012.

Kiss and International Fame

Jepsen's second studio album, Kiss, was released in September 2012 and was her first to be released internationally. The album featured a dance-pop and teen-pop sound. It included the hit single "Good Time," a collaboration with Owl City, which reached the top ten in the United States and Canada. In 2013, Kiss won Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year at the Juno Awards.

Artistic Evolution

Emotion and Critical Acclaim

In 2015, Jepsen released her third studio album, Emotion, which marked a departure from the bubblegum pop of her previous work. The album was heavily influenced by 1980s music, synth-pop, and dance-pop. While not as commercially successful as Kiss, Emotion received widespread critical acclaim and developed a cult following. The album included singles such as "I Really Like You," "Run Away with Me," and "Your Type". A companion EP, Emotion: Side B, featuring eight outtakes from the album, was released in 2016.

Dedicated and The Loneliest Time

Jepsen's fourth studio album, Dedicated, was released in May 2019. The album continued to explore a dance-pop sound with disco influences and was preceded by singles like "Party for One" and "Now That I Found You". A companion album, Dedicated Side B, was released in 2020, featuring outtakes from the original album sessions. In October 2022, Jepsen released her sixth studio album, The Loneliest Time. This was followed by a companion piece, The Loveliest Time, in July 2023, which was described as a celebration of growth and discovery.