Emotion Remixed + Explained

Emotion Remixed +
Type:Remix
Artist:Carly Rae Jepsen
Cover:CarlyRaeJepsenEmotionRemixed.jpg
Label:
Prev Title:Emotion
Prev Year:2015
Next Year:2016

Emotion Remixed + (stylized as E•MO•TION REMIXED +, symbol read as "plus") is the second remix album by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, released through Universal Music Japan on March 18, 2016.[1] [2] In the vein of Kiss: the Remix, both Japan exclusives, Emotion Remixed + compiles eight remixes of singles released from her third studio album Emotion (2015), and two new tracks: "First Time" and "Fever". The compilation features contributions by Bleachers, the Knocks and a cohort of collaborators from her Emotion sessions.

"First Time" was given a limited promotional release. The new songs were subsequently included on Jepsen's companion release (2016); and were given a second Japanese release through the country's exclusive reissue of the EP in 2017. Remixed + was primarily supported by Jepsen's two headlining performances at Popspring 2016 in Tokyo and Kobe.

Background and release

The new renditions on Emotion Remixed + were previously released throughout 2015, several as a part of the original singles' accompanying remix packages.[3] [4] [5] The compilation features contributions from returning musicians and future collaborators. Jepsen worked with Jack Antonoff during the production process of Emotion, though his contributions did not make the final cut.[6] Antonoff's remix of "I Really Like You", released under his Bleachers moniker, premiered through Stereogum on July 9, 2015; following the blog's exclusive Blasterjaxx remix earlier that April.[7] Jepsen would later contribute to the Bleachers cover album Terrible Thrills, Vol. 2, before lending her vocals to a collaboration on Gone Now (2017).[8] The Y2K "Run Away with Me" remix made its Idolator premiere on August 12, 2015.[9] The Knocks' rendition of "All That" was originally a "technically illegal" bootleg posted to Soundcloud on April 17, 2015;[10] [11] the pair stated that Jepsen's fondness for the remix gave it an official release. Jepsen would later feature on their debut album 55 (2016).[12] Skylar Spence previously remixed Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" in 2012, under the name Saint Pepsi, before being commissioned for "Your Type". It was given an exclusive Billboard debut on December 18, 2015.[13]

Universal Music Japan announced Emotion Remixed + on February 16, 2016, in commemoration of the first Popspring festival later that April, where Jepsen was set to headline.[14] [15] Her appearance was announced two months prior.[16] The release was billed as a "special present" from Carly to her Japanese fans, though speaking to the Japan Times, the album gave Jepsen an opportunity to "present her music in another context" as well. Emotion Remixed + features two then-unreleased songs, "First Time" and "Fever", which were in the running for inclusion on the parent albumultimately left off due to time constraints: "They’re still just as important to me as the songs on Emotion, so it was a great opportunity to put out this remix album and add something new and two of my favorite songs from this cycle."[17]

Remixed + was released as a standard jewel case, featuring a sticker of the album artwork and a CD booklet that folds out as a mini poster.[18] The album's photography was done by Hazel and Pine.[19] In addition to her Popspring performances, Jepsen appeared on the March 31, 2016, broadcast of the HTB Ichioshi! Morning (イチオシ!モーニング) show.[20]

Composition

"First Time" was co-penned with Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk and Wayne Hector; its production handled by the former two. The song was conceived during the same sessions as "Your Type". "Fever" was written with Kyle Shearer, Nate Campany and Saul Alexander Castillo Vasquez, and produced solely by Shearer. Its co-writers have contributed to several of Jepsen's Emotion offerings.

Y2K called "Run Away with Me" one of their favorite pop songs of 2015,[21] their treatment gives it a "sweeping electro overhaul" with marching band beats. Its intro is reminiscent of the Japanese stringed instrument koto.[22] Skylar Spence's "slick and airy",[23] "warped disco"[24] rework of "Your Type" is noted by Spin's Colin Joyce as utilizing "cut up samples and disorienting modulation".[25] The song takes an "airier, more glittery approach" through the Young Bombs remix.[26] Blasterjaxx casts "I Really Like You" in "darker, more grown up tones" with a "thumping electronic exoskeleton". The Bleachers remix is noted for Antonoff's signature "staccato touches" and a layering of marching drums.[27] [28] Its "sweeping synths" depart from the original's bubblegum-pop for a "charming '80s-inspired groove" as opined by Bianca Gracie of Idolator.[29] The Bleachers remix was listed in Eliza Thompson's "5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week" for Cosmopolitan, calling its '80s sheen "dreamy".[30] The Knocks' transform "All That" into a "pulsating house anthem" as opined by Bustle's Alex Kritselis,[31] whereas Gracie calls it a "modern disco groove".[32]

Commercial performance

Remixed + has shifted 2,477 copies in Japan as of April 2016.[33] "First Time" peaked on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 at number 71 on March 28, 2016.[34] It also peaked on the Billboard Japan Hot Overseas chart at number eight,[35] and the Billboard Japan Radio Songs chart at number nine.[36]

Track listing

  1. "First Time" – 3:35
  2. "Fever" – 3:03
  3. "Run Away with Me" (Velvet Sunrise remix) – 3:46
  4. "Run Away with Me" (Y2K remix) – 4:28
  5. "Your Type" (Skylar Spence remix) – 3:50
  6. "Your Type" (Young Bombs remix) – 4:22
  7. "I Really Like You" (Blasterjaxx remix) – 3:35
  8. "I Really Like You" (M. Rod remix) – 3:24
  9. "I Really Like You" (Bleachers remix) – 3:25
  10. "All That" (The Knocks remix) – 5:09

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Japan[37] March 18, 2016Digital download, CDUniversal Music

Notes and References

  1. Web site: エモーション・リミックス+(プラス)【CD】 - カーリー・レイ・ジェプセン - UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE. 11 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Emotion Remixed +. 11 June 2016.
  3. Web site: I Really Like You (Remixes) - EP by Carly Rae Jepsen. May 5, 2015. Apple Music. October 30, 2018.
  4. Web site: Run Away With Me (Remixes) - EP by Carly Rae Jepsen. August 13, 2015. Apple Music.
  5. Web site: Your Type (Remixes) - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen. December 11, 2015. Apple Music. October 30, 2018.
  6. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen – "I Really Like You (Bleachers Remix)" (Stereogum Premiere). Rettig. James. July 9, 2015. Stereogum. https://web.archive.org/web/20150711210256/http://www.stereogum.com/1814441/carly-rae-jepsen-i-really-like-you-bleachers-remix-stereogum-premiere/mp3s. July 11, 2015. live. October 30, 2018.
  7. News: The Week in Pop: Meet Charlie Puth, 2015's Most Egregious Rising Star. Deville. Chris. April 23, 2015. Stereogum. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150426164635/http://www.stereogum.com/1795803/the-week-in-pop-meet-charlie-puth-2015s-most-egregious-rising-star/franchises/the-week-in-pop. April 26, 2015.
  8. Web site: Listen: Carly Rae Jepsen Lends Voice to Bleachers Song. Kennedy. John. April 17, 2017. iHeartRadio. https://web.archive.org/web/20181031014005/http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/listen-carly-rae-jepsen-lends-voice-to-bleachers-song-1.2546731. October 31, 2018. live. October 30, 2018.
  9. News: Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away With Me (Y2K Remix)": Idolator Premiere. Daw. Robbie. August 12, 2015. Idolator. October 30, 2018. en-US.
  10. News: The Knocks Go Behind the Scenes of Their "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" Video: Idolator Premiere. Gracie. Bianca. November 16, 2015. Idolator. October 30, 2018. en-US.
  11. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen - All That (The Knocks Bootleg) by The Knocks. April 17, 2015. Soundcloud. October 30, 2018.
  12. News: Exclusive: Listen to Carly Rae Jepsen and The Knocks' Infectious New Song "Love Me Like That". Bailey. Alyssa. February 23, 2016. Elle. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160224084326/http://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a34329/carly-rae-jepsen-the-knocks-love-me-like-that/. February 24, 2016.
  13. Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Your Type' Gets a Skylar Spence Remix (Exclusive). Sullivan. Lindsey. December 18, 2015. Billboard. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20151218203415/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6813738/carly-rae-jepsen-your-type-skylar-spence-remix-exclusive. December 18, 2015.
  14. Web site: 来日記念盤リリース決定!新曲2曲収録!. February 16, 2016. Universal Music Japan. ja. October 30, 2018.
  15. Web site: 今月末に来日公演を控えるカナダの歌姫カーリー・レイ・ジェプセン、来日記念盤『エモーション・リミックス+(プラス)』が本日発売!. March 18, 2016. Universal Music Japan. ja. October 30, 2018.
  16. Web site: Popspringにて再来日決定!. December 22, 2015. Universal Music Japan. ja. October 30, 2018.
  17. News: Pop Star Carly Rae Jepsen Really, Really, Really Likes Japan. Lindsay. Cam. March 24, 2016. The Japan Times. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329025847/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/03/24/music/pop-star-carly-rae-jepsen-really-really-really-likes-japan. March 29, 2016. en.
  18. Web site: カーリー・レイ・ジェプセン/エモーション・リミックス+(プラス). Kinokuniya. ja. Carly Rae Jepsen / Emotion Remixed + (Plus). October 30, 2018.
  19. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen — Hazel and Pine. https://web.archive.org/web/20160707110304/http://www.hazelandpine.com/carly-rae-jepsen. July 7, 2016. live. October 30, 2018.
  20. Web site: 「あいりチャンネル」にてカーリー・レイ・ジェプセン特集On Air!. March 31, 2016. Universal Music Japan. ja. Carly Rae Jepsen Feature On Air at "Airi Channel". October 30, 2018.
  21. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen - Run Away With Me (Y2K Remix) by Y2K. August 12, 2015. Soundcloud. October 30, 2018.
  22. Emotion Remixed +. Jepsen, Carly Rae. 2016. CD booklet, profile and translation insert. School Boy Records / Interscope Records. ja. Sumi Imai.
  23. News: Two of the Most Criminally Ignored Artists of 2015 Came Together for This Remix. Galbraith. Alex. December 18, 2015. Uproxx. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160104110249/http://uproxx.com/music/carly-rae-jepsen-skylar-spence-your-type-remix-emotion/. January 4, 2016. en-US.
  24. News: Carly Rae Jepsen – "Your Type (Skylar Spence Remix)". Rettig. James. December 18, 2015. Stereogum. October 30, 2018.
  25. News: Skylar Spence Sends Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Your Type' Back to the Disco. Joyce. Colin. December 18, 2015. Spin. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160617113928/http://www.spin.com/2015/12/skylar-spence-carly-rae-jepsen-your-type-stream/. June 17, 2016. live.
  26. News: Hear Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Your Type' Get Liquified into Pure Disco Gold. Hoksen. Patrick. December 19, 2015. MTV News. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20151221090003/http://www.mtv.com/news/2691661/carly-rae-jepsen-your-type-remixes/. December 21, 2015. en.
  27. News: Bleachers Layer Carly Rae Jepsen's 'I Really Like You' Remix with Drums. Carley. Brennan. July 9, 2015. Spin. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150712204356/http://www.spin.com/2015/07/bleachers-carly-rae-jepsen-i-really-like-you-remix-song-stream-hear/. July 12, 2015.
  28. News: LIsten to Bleachers' Really Likeable Remix of Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You". Song. Sandra. July 9, 2015. Paper. October 30, 2018. en.
  29. News: Bleachers Unveil Vibrant Remix Of Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You": Listen. Gracie. Bianca. July 9, 2015. Idolator. October 30, 2018. en-US.
  30. News: The 5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week. Thompson. Eliza. July 10, 2015. Cosmopolitan. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150711140031/http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/news/a43167/songs-of-the-week-rihanna-korn-remix/. July 11, 2015. en-US.
  31. News: Carly Rae Jepsen's "All That" Got a House Remix. Kritselis. Alex. April 21, 2015. Bustle. October 30, 2018. en.
  32. Web site: The Knocks Put Their Spin on Carly Rae Jepsen's "All That": Listen. Gracie. Bianca. April 21, 2015. Idolator. October 30, 2018.
  33. Web site: カーリー・レイ・ジェプセンに来日インタビュー!「ボーイフレンドに日本に引っ越そう!って電話をしたわ(笑)」. April 7, 2016. TV Groove. Carly Rae Jepsen's Japan Interview "I Called My Boyfriend to Move to Japan! (Laughing)". https://web.archive.org/web/20160408230145/http://www.tvgroove.com/special/article/ctg/240/tid/723.html. April 8, 2016. live. October 30, 2018.
  34. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of April 18, 2016. Billboard Japan. Prometheus Global. June 11, 2016.
  35. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of April 18, 2016. Billboard Japan. Prometheus Global. June 11, 2016.
  36. Web site: Billboard Japan Radio Songs – Week of April 11, 2016. Billboard Japan. Prometheus Global. June 11, 2016.
  37. Web site: エモーション・リミックス+. Emotion Remixed +. March 26, 2016.