Carly Rae Jepsen decided that twenty-four tracks weren’t enough on Day and Night, and honestly, after the “continued” edition, I agree. We needed the thirty-two.

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TOP 3

3. Lullaby

Carly Rae Jepsen’s album Day and Night has two sides, with the “day” side being semi-psychedelic folk-pop and the “night” side being dark dance pop. “Lullaby” is the final track on the “day” side of Day and Night.

It’s a stunning ballad about bringing an emotionally guarded partner into a safe space to be themself. Carly is bringing her partner into a secluded room and locking the doors so that it can just be the two of them. It’s ethereal, soothing, and a lovely finale to the first side of the record. Carly sounds like an angel here, her whispery vocals complimenting the soothing lyrics and rhythm. “Lullaby” is, as the title may suggest, relaxing.

2. Sixteen and Rising

“Sixteen and Rising” is about Carly’s past working in a coffee shop and the man she was dating at the time. A beautiful life was ahead of her, but she was longing for something more and couldn’t just settle for it. She doesn’t think of her ex often, but she saw a picture of him recently, which is what sparked the thoughts in this song.

Her ex had told her that fame would chew her up and spit her out, but that’s what she’d been hoping for; she just never said it so negatively. She had to close the door with him to open the door to becoming the Carly Rae Jepsen we know and love.

1. Yes

“Yes” is the first new track on the “night” side. It’s about the scary parts of being in a new relationship, and accepting the vulnerability that comes with it and choosing the relationship anyway.

“Yes” is so catchy. This is what I think when I think of Carly Rae Jepsen. The production is pop perfection, the melody is repetitive in a delicious way, and it’s overall such a fun listen. Fans of Carly’s have been awaiting this song’s availability to stream, so I know I speak for many of us when I say that we are thrilled that it’s playlist-ready.

SONG BY SONG RATING

Reaching for a Star (4/5)

Sixteen and Rising (5/5)

Wedding Season (4.5/5)

Lullaby (5/5)

Yes (5/5)

Muscle Memory (4/5)

Love Depressed (4/5)

In Pure Faith (4.5/5)

RGM RATING

Day and Night is a great album, but these tracks just took it to another level. Picking a top three was easy, but if I’d had to do a top five, that would have been tough. All of these songs are so good. I liked Day and Night, but this made me like it significantly more.

“Yes” is such a quintessential Carly Rae Jepsen song, but everything feels so tied to her musical identity. She needs to stop leaving so many good tracks on the B-sides. She does this all the time. How were these songs being hidden from us? They’re immediately high up in my ranking of all of Day and Night. My top three in this article are also my new top three on the album at large.

I was so happy to hear these tracks. Carly never fails to impress, and the continued version of Day and Night is certainly no exception.

Emma Platt