Let’s be real: You are dead inside. You have been since the first Bush administration. You are a callous, unfeeling brute operating solely on instinct and day-old pizza. But you long to feel again, long to have hope and joy and life spring forth from your grizzled bosom like flowers on the first day of spring. But that record collection full of doom metal and musique concrète just ain’t gonna do it—you need emotion. Or rather, E*MO*TION. From the very first synth-horn stabs of album opener “Run Away With Me”—which are as epic and stirring as that moment in Star Trek IV when the whales are like, “Sure, we’ll save your planet, assholes”—Carly Rae Jepsen delivers a dance-pop feast steeped in big hooks, classic rhythms and brilliant sound design. It’s a record that can satisfy Tangerine Dream-worshipping audio nerds and normal, functioning human beings alike. Jepsen transcends her over-meme’d “Call Me Maybe” reputation to deliver a record that is soulful, funky and, quite frankly, fun as hell. Remember back when you stayed up all night singing along with Sheila E.? Totally the same vibe on tracks like “ Boy Problems,” “I Really Like You” and “I Didn’t Come Here To Dance.” Maybe you aren’t dead inside after all. —Sean L. Mahoney
