Curiosity (EP)

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Curiosity
EP by
Carly Rae Jepsen
ReleasedFebruary 14, 2012 (2012-02-14)
RecordedApril 2010–January 2012
Genre
Length20:11
Label
  • 604
  • School Boy
  • Interscope
Producer
Carly Rae Jepsen chronology
Tug of War
(2008) 		Curiosity
(2012) 		Kiss
(2012)
Singles from Curiosity
  1. "Call Me Maybe"
    Released: September 20, 2011
  2. "Curiosity"
    Released: May 1, 2012

Curiosity is the second EP by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released on February 14, 2012, by 604 Records. Initially listed on the iTunes Store with a full-length tracklist, Curiosity was cut down to a six-song EP just days before its release. The full-length album titled Kiss was released 7 months later containing only two songs from the EP on its standard edition. Musically, Curiosity is a pop album influenced by several genres such as dance-pop and R&B, while its lyrical content is mostly about love.

Curiosity received generally positive reviews from contemporary music, with many praising the quality of the tracks and labeling it

mainstream. Its lead single, "Call Me Maybe", was a commercial success, topping the charts in several countries and is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 18 million copies sold. The album peaked at number six on the Canadian Albums Chart
.

Background

Jepsen's second studio album was initially planned to be released on February 14, 2012; however, she 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 process 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] The songs cut from the album "Lost and Found", "Alice In Wonderland", "Dear Julien", "Europe" and "Angels" came to have their preview on iTunes Canada, before having changed album to EP.

Composition

"Both Sides Now"
A 23-second sample of the chorus which features Jepsen singing the
bubblegum pop influenced background.[4][5]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The EP opens with "Call Me Maybe", an upbeat track that draws influences from

bubblegum twist."[4] Critics also added that Jepsen will be able to "attract a new generation to this widely recognized hit" with her "unique version."[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com
[10]
AllMusic[11]
Cadence Canada(favorable)[4]
idobi Radio[5]

Curiosity received critical acclaim 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."

mainstream songs, and added, "if you are looking for fun, lovable songs to make you smile, this is your go-to mix."[5] Appel only criticized the lyrical content, noting that it is "very childish but seem to work with the music nonetheless."[5]

Singles

Jepsen performing "Curiosity" during Believe Tour.

"Call Me Maybe" was released as the lead single from the EP on September 20, 2011.[12] After pop singers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez tweeted about the song, Jepsen gained international attention and was signed to Schoolboy Records, releasing her single in the United States through the label.[13] 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.[7][14] "Call Me Maybe" has attained commercial success worldwide, topping the charts in several countries, and is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 18 million copies sold.[15] An accompanying music video portrays Jepsen trying to gain attention from her attractive neighbor, who is revealed to be gay at the close of the story.[6] To promote the song, Jepsen has performed on several live televised shows, including on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she made her US television debut, and at the MTV Europe Music Awards.[16][17]

"Curiosity" was released as the second single on May 1, 2012.[18] Jepsen shot a video for the song on June 5, 2012, with director Colin Minihan.[19] The music video was not released, and it leaked on November 25, 2012.[19] According to the description of the leak, "this video was shelved because it was "too sexy" for her new tween demographic."[19] On March 26, 2012, Jepsen visited WBBM-FM's Morning Show and performed the two singles.[20] In the last week of January 2013, the singer filmed an acoustic performance of the song in Tokyo exclusively for Billboard.[21]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Call Me Maybe"
Ramsay3:13
2."Curiosity"
Stewart3:26
3."Picture"JepsenStewart3:03
4."Talk to Me"
  • Jepsen
  • Stewart
Stewart2:51
5."Just a Step Away"
  • Carly Rae Jepsen
  • The Jepsen Family
  • Stewart
Stewart3:46
6."Both Sides Now"Joni MitchellStewart3:52
Total length:20:11

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canadian Albums Chart[22] 6

References

  1. ^
    The Vancouver Sun. Pacific Newspaper Group
    . Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  2. ^ Chandel, Natasha (March 15, 2012). "Justin Bieber Protege Carly Rae Jepsen Piques Our Curiosity". MTV. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  3. ^ "Curiosity – EP by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Eadie, Fiona (March 7, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – Curiosity". Cadence Canada. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Appel, Jen (March 14, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – Curiosity: Album Review". idobi Radio. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (March 16, 2012). "Small-Town Sentiments, Bass From the World Over". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  7. ^
    Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original
    on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (March 13, 2012). "Who is Carly Rae Jepsen and why does Justin Bieber love her?". USA Today. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Lau, Melody (March 12, 2012). "Justin Bieber Gives Singer Carly Rae Jepsen a Boost". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e Norman, Ben (February 14, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – 'Curiosity EP' Review". About.com. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  11. ^ a b O'Brien, Jon (February 14, 2012). "Curiosity – Carly Rae Jepsen". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  12. ^ "Call Me Maybe – Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. September 20, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  13. ^ 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. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  14. ^ Carmichael, Emma (March 9, 2012). "Have You Heard 'Call Me Maybe,' the New Perfect Pop Song?". Gawker. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  15. ^ "Digital Music Report 2013" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. February 26, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  16. ^ Exton, Emily (March 23, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen introduces Herself". Pop Dust. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  17. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen Crowd-Surfs In Bonus EMA Performance: Watch Now!". MTV. November 11, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  18. ^ "Curiosity – Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. May 1, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Carly Rae Jepsen - Curiosity - Official Music Video (Unreleased)". YouTube. November 25, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  20. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen Performs "Call Me Maybe" & "Curiosity" Live At The B96 Studios In Chicago". WBBM-FM. CBS. March 26, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  21. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen Strips Down 'Curiosity': Exclusive Video Performance". Billboard. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  22. ^ "Canadian Albums Chart – Week of March 3, 2012". Billboard. March 3, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
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