Curiosity (EP)
View on Wikipedia
| Curiosity | ||||
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| Released | February 14, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | April 2010–January 2012 | |||
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| Length | 20:11 | |||
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| Carly Rae Jepsen chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Curiosity | ||||
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Curiosity is the second extended play (EP) by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released on February 14, 2012, by 604, Schoolboy, and Interscope 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, folk, 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
[edit]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
[edit]
The EP opens with "Call Me Maybe", an upbeat track that draws influences from dance-pop and R&B.[6] The clever lyrics of the song describes the "infatuation and inconvenience of a love at first sight," as described by Bill Lamb of About.com.[7] During the pre-chorus, the singer states, "Ripped jeans, skin was showing/Hot night, wind was blowing/Where you think you're going, baby?"[6] As the chorus begins, the background incorporates synthesized string chords, and she sings, "Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me maybe."[7][8] Melody Lau of Rolling Stone wrote that "Call Me Maybe" is a "Taylor Swift meets Robyn" song.[9] The title track, "Curiosity", has a similar sound to "Call Me Maybe", and features heavy dance beats and catchy hooks.[10] In the song, Jepsen sings about being poorly treated by a bad boy, and begs for more of his love.[4] "Picture" is a ballad that focuses on patience in a relationship.[5] Critics noted that the song would work well during the climax of a motion picture due to its lyrical content.[10] "Talk to Me" and "Just a Step Away" were both described as mid-tempo pop songs that alludes to summer love, teen love and that first crush.[4][5] Fiona Eadie of Cadence Canada noted that in both tracks, Carly is able to transcend the listener "to a porch swing or riding a bicycle along an old dirt road in the countryside's summer sunshine. Her voice sings the highs and lows of love and everything that comes along with it."[4] The final song is a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now". Musically, the song is also an upbeat ballad, and differs from the original version in the sense that Jepsen's version is "fresh and modern with her unique 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
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 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."[10] Lamb also added that Jepsen's "style is summery and bright without the emotional bogging down of [Demi] Lovato or the flat out drudgery of Jessie J"[10] Allmusic critic Jon O'Brien stated that, when compared to Jepsen's previous effort Tug of War (2008), the EP "unexpectedly abandons her previous singer/songwriter approach in favor of an unashamed bubblegum sound which harks back to the early 2000s pop princess glory days of Britney, Christina, Jessica, and Mandy."[11] Fiona Eadie of Cadence Canada described the musical style of the album as "pop. But not in the annoying, auto-tune, and talentless way. Her perfectly pitched voice makes it clear that this girl has real talent."[4] Eadie summarized her review saying that Curiosity "is filled with music that dances. And it is your choice to listen to it with or without a hairbrush (a.k.a. microphone) in front of your bedroom mirror. Overall a great EP. I can't wait to put the top down and blast her tunes all summer."[4] Jen Appel of idobi Radio commented that, overall, Curiosity is the kind of extended play that brings attention from the teenage public due to its 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
[edit].jpg)
"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
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Call Me Maybe" |
| Ramsay | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Curiosity" |
| Stewart | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Picture" | Jepsen | Stewart | 3:03 |
| 4. | "Talk to Me" |
| Stewart | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Just a Step Away" |
| Stewart | 3:46 |
| 6. | "Both Sides Now" | Joni Mitchell | Stewart | 3:52 |
| Total length: | 20:11 | |||
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums Chart[22] | 6 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Marchand, Francois (February 17, 2012). "Curiosity Didn't Kill Carly Rae Jepsen". The Vancouver Sun. Pacific Newspaper Group. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ Chandel, Natasha (March 15, 2012). "Justin Bieber Protege Carly Rae Jepsen Piques Our Curiosity". MTV. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ "Curiosity – EP by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g Appel, Jen (March 14, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen – Curiosity: Album Review". idobi Radio. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (March 16, 2012). "Small-Town Sentiments, Bass From the World Over". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c Lamb, Bill. "Carly Rae Jepsen – "Call Me Maybe"". About.com. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ Oldenburg, Ann (March 13, 2012). "Who is Carly Rae Jepsen and why does Justin Bieber love her?". USA Today. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ Lau, Melody (March 12, 2012). "Justin Bieber Gives Singer Carly Rae Jepsen a Boost". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b O'Brien, Jon (February 14, 2012). "Curiosity – Carly Rae Jepsen". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ "Call Me Maybe – Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. September 20, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Exton, Emily (March 23, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen introduces Herself". Pop Dust. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen Crowd-Surfs In Bonus EMA Performance: Watch Now!". MTV. November 11, 2012. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "Curiosity – Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. May 1, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen Strips Down 'Curiosity': Exclusive Video Performance". Billboard. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ "Canadian Albums Chart – Week of March 3, 2012". Billboard. March 3, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
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Curiosity (EP)
View on GrokipediaDevelopment and recording
Background
Carly Rae Jepsen's debut album Tug of War, released in 2008 through 604 Records, featured a folk-influenced sound shaped by her upbringing listening to artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Leonard Cohen. Following its modest success in Canada, Jepsen began transitioning toward a poppier aesthetic for her follow-up project, drawing inspiration from 1990s pop groups such as the Spice Girls to create more upbeat, accessible material.[7] The project was first reported in late 2011 as Jepsen's sophomore studio album, with an initial tracklist and concept centered on themes of romantic curiosity, and officially announced by her on January 12, 2012, set for release on February 14, 2012, via 604 Records. The lead single "Call Me Maybe," co-written with Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench, had been released in September 2011 and was gaining traction on Canadian radio, building anticipation for the project. In February 2012, Jepsen signed a joint worldwide recording deal with Schoolboy Records—founded by Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun—and Interscope Records, a move that shifted the album's direction toward broader international appeal.[8][9] The signing amplified momentum from "Call Me Maybe," prompting 604 Records and the new partners to pivot strategy in early February 2012; rather than issuing the full album, they opted for a streamlined 6-track EP to capitalize on the single's buzz, with Curiosity finalized just days before its Valentine's Day launch. Material from the original album sessions was later repurposed for Jepsen's full-length international debut Kiss, released in September 2012 through Schoolboy and Interscope.[10][11]Production
The production of Carly Rae Jepsen's Curiosity EP took place primarily in Vancouver-area studios during late 2010 and 2011, following her established partnership with 604 Records.[1] Most tracks were recorded at Winecellar Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, owned by producer Ryan Stewart, who handled production duties for five of the six songs, including the title track "Curiosity," "Picture," "Talk to Me," "Just a Step Away," and the Joni Mitchell cover "Both Sides Now."[2][1] The lead single "Call Me Maybe" was recorded separately at Umbrella Studios in nearby Richmond, British Columbia, with Josh Ramsay serving as both producer and engineer.[1] Songwriting credits reflected close collaborations with these producers. "Call Me Maybe" was co-written by Jepsen, Ramsay, and Tavish Crowe, evolving from a folk-inspired demo into a polished pop track.[1][2] The title track "Curiosity" was co-written by Jepsen and Stewart, who also contributed instrumentation and harmonies across his productions.[12][2] Additional tracks like "Picture" and "Talk to Me" credited Jepsen as the primary songwriter, with Stewart's input on the latter.[2] The EP's cover of "Both Sides Now" retained Mitchell's original lyrics while adopting an acoustic arrangement emphasizing Jepsen's vocals and minimal instrumentation, recorded in a single session on March 28, 2011.[2] Technical aspects highlighted a streamlined pop aesthetic, with Stewart and Ramsay performing multiple roles including instrumentation, harmonies, and engineering on their respective tracks.[1] Mixing occurred at Warehouse Studios and Mushroom Studios in Vancouver, overseen by engineer Dave Ogilvie to accentuate synth elements and catchy hooks throughout the project.[2][1] Mastering was completed by Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering in Burbank, California, ensuring a cohesive sound for the EP's quick turnaround from sessions to its February 14, 2012 release under 604 Records.[2] These low-key sessions, conducted post her initial label signing, allowed for an efficient six-track format amid growing interest from U.S. distributors.[13][1]Music and lyrics
Composition
The Curiosity EP represents a shift for Carly Rae Jepsen from the indie folk leanings of her debut album Tug of War toward a more polished dance-pop sound incorporating folk and R&B elements.[14][1] The release clocks in at a total runtime of 20:11 across six tracks, emphasizing a concise format suited to focused, single-driven listening experiences.[15] Musically, the EP draws on synth-pop foundations with prominent synthesizers, electronic beats, and layered vocal harmonies, evoking 1980s pop influences through pulsating rhythms and bass lines alongside modern electro touches.[1][16] Instrumentation blends electronic elements like driving beats with more organic features such as string arrangements and arpeggiated guitars, creating an upbeat yet textured pop palette.[16] The tracks showcase varied structures within this framework. "Call Me Maybe" (3:13) stands out as an upbeat synth-pop number driven by a pulsating electronic beat, catchy chorus hooks, and 1980s-inspired bass lines accented by uplifting strings.[15][16] "Curiosity" (3:26) adopts a mid-tempo R&B-infused pop style with key-modulating progressions and layered vocals over subtle electronic beats.[15][16] "Picture" (3:03) is a ballad with folk-pop elements and strong vocals, while "Talk to Me" (2:51) leans into dance-pop rhythms with electronic percussion and harmonious backing vocals.[15][17] "Just a Step Away" (3:46) incorporates arpeggiated guitar riffs for a brighter, folk-tinged energy.[15][17] In contrast, the cover of "Both Sides Now" (3:52) strips back to an acoustic ballad arrangement, highlighting Jepsen's raspy vocals with minimal electronic elements to differentiate it from the EP's predominant pop sound.[15][17] Production credits reflect this diversity, with Josh Ramsay handling "Call Me Maybe" through multi-instrumental layering and Ryan Stewart overseeing the remaining tracks via similar all-instrument approaches that balance organic and electronic textures.[1]Themes
The Curiosity EP explores romantic curiosity and longing as its central theme, with lyrics that depict infatuation, hesitation, and emotional exploration across interpersonal connections. Jepsen's songwriting captures the thrill and uncertainty of young love, often blending playful optimism with underlying vulnerability to highlight the push-pull dynamics of attraction. The EP's themes reflect her songwriting evolution following the release of Tug of War. Track-specific lyrics underscore these motifs vividly. In "Call Me Maybe," Jepsen portrays bold flirtation sparked by love at first sight, where the protagonist's direct plea—"Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy"—masks deeper uncertainty and a defensive hesitance in vulnerability.[18] The title track "Curiosity" delves into temptation within a strained relationship, as the narrator grapples with an addictive pull toward a flawed partner despite being "sick with love" and the risks of emotional pain.[19] Similarly, "Picture" reflects on past loves through nostalgic imagery of captured moments—"I could take a picture of you and me together / No one would believe me"—evoking disbelief in the authenticity of fleeting joys and the ache of memory preservation.[20] Recurring motifs of youthful romance, vulnerability, and pop escapism weave through the EP, offering an escapist lens on emotional rawness while contrasting with more mature introspection. For instance, songs like "Talk to Me" and "Just a Step Away" emphasize longing for communication and intimacy, reinforcing themes of hesitant pursuit amid relational closeness. This escapist quality tempers the vulnerability, allowing listeners to revel in the fantasy of connection. In contrast, the cover "Both Sides Now" introduces introspective maturity, contemplating love's dualities—"I've looked at love from both sides now / From win and lose, and still somehow"—drawing from Jepsen's personal reflections on life's ambiguities to provide emotional depth.[21] Overall, the EP forms a narrative arc from playful pursuit and infatuation in its opening tracks to reflective closure, mirroring the emotional journey of romantic exploration and self-awareness. Jepsen's influences, rooted in collaborative sessions with friends and family after Tug of War, infuse the work with authentic empowerment, portraying love as a curious adventure worth embracing despite its uncertainties.Release and promotion
Release
Curiosity was released on February 14, 2012, coinciding with Valentine's Day, initially in Canada through 604 Records.[15][1] The EP was made available in digital download and limited CD formats, with no vinyl edition issued at the time of launch.[22] After the Canadian launch, the EP received a U.S. digital release on July 10, 2012, via School Boy Records and Interscope Records, expanding its distribution internationally.[22] 604 Records managed the Canadian rollout, while Interscope facilitated broader availability following early buzz around the lead single "Call Me Maybe."[13] The EP functioned as a teaser for Jepsen's subsequent full-length album Kiss, with two of its tracks—"Call Me Maybe" and "Curiosity"—remixed and included on the later release.[23][1][24]Singles
"Call Me Maybe" was released on September 20, 2011, as the lead single from the EP, co-written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, and Tavish Crowe.[25] The track was issued as a digital single in Canada through 604 Records, including B-sides "Both Sides Now" and "Talk to Me." An accompanying music video, directed by Ben Knechtel, features Jepsen and her friends in a suburban neighborhood setting, incorporating playful props such as a fake coffin carried by the group.[26] The single's early release served as a strategic move to generate anticipation ahead of the EP's launch, capitalizing on Jepsen's growing online presence.[27] "Call Me Maybe" achieved significant chart success, topping the Canadian Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks in February 2012.[28] No other singles from the EP reached comparable heights on major charts. A remix package was also released digitally, featuring versions such as the 10 Kings vs. Ollie Green Remix.[29] "Curiosity," the title track, followed as the second single on May 1, 2012, also distributed digitally through 604 Records.[1] The release emphasized radio airplay in Canada, where it received promotional support.[8] A promotional video was filmed in June 2012 but ultimately shelved, reportedly due to its perceived sexiness being unsuitable for Jepsen's target audience, according to MuchMusic reports.[30]Promotion
The promotion of Curiosity began building pre-release buzz in late 2011, when Justin Bieber tweeted on December 30 about the lead single "Call Me Maybe," calling it "possibly the catchiest song I've ever heard."[31] This endorsement from Bieber, who had discovered the track on Canadian radio, significantly amplified its visibility and propelled streams beyond 1 million in the ensuing months, setting the stage for the EP's wider appeal.[32][33] Jepsen supported the EP through key media appearances, including performances on Canadian television such as the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards, where she delivered a high-energy rendition of "Call Me Maybe" that won Video of the Year.[34] She also presented at the 2012 Juno Awards and engaged U.S. radio promotion following the EP's release, expanding her reach beyond Canada.[35][36] Video campaigns played a central role, with the "Call Me Maybe" music video premiering on March 1, 2012, and quickly going viral, amassing over 1 billion YouTube views by 2017 through celebrity cameos and fan recreations.[37] An unreleased video for the title track "Curiosity" was filmed in June 2012 but ultimately shelved in favor of focusing on the lead single, though snippets were teased online to maintain interest.[38] The EP was strategically positioned as a Valentine's Day release on February 14, 2012, with Jepsen promoting it via social media as an ideal romantic gift, aligning its themes of love and curiosity with the holiday.[39] Tracks from Curiosity, including "Curiosity," were later incorporated into setlists for Jepsen's 2012–2013 Kiss tour, helping sustain momentum post-release.[40] The international push intensified after Jepsen signed with Schoolboy Records and Interscope in late February 2012, facilitated by Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, which facilitated U.S. radio play and teased potential collaborations, such as Bieber's appearance in the "Call Me Maybe" video alongside Selena Gomez and others.[41][32] This deal marked a pivotal expansion, transforming Curiosity from a Canadian project into a global launchpad.[13]Reception and legacy
Critical reception
Upon its release, the Curiosity EP received generally positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted its bubbly pop appeal and the breakout potential of its lead single, "Call Me Maybe," while critiquing the simplicity of its lyrics and production.[19][16] idobi's Jen Appel awarded the EP 4 out of 5 stars, praising its lighthearted, radio-friendly tracks and Jepsen's strong vocals, which she compared to Kate Voegele's. Appel described it as a collection that would "entice you to turn your radio up, put the top down, and blast the tunes all day long," with "Call Me Maybe" standing out for its irresistible chorus and massive early buzz, having already amassed over 22 million YouTube views by March 2012. She also commended the EP's cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" as a fresh, unique interpretation that added emotional depth.[19] Sputnikmusic's Dashnavar gave a more mixed assessment with a 3 out of 5 rating, acknowledging the EP's role as an effective teaser for Jepsen's upcoming full-length album and noting the "pop potential" in stronger tracks like "Call Me Maybe," which benefited from pulsating beats, uplifting strings, and Jepsen's versatile, earnest vocals that conveyed humor and energy. However, the review criticized the lyrics as often corny and generic, targeting a teenage demographic, and the production as frequently unremarkable, particularly in stripped-down songs like "Just A Step Away" and the title track, where Jepsen struggled with vocal range.[16] With limited professional coverage at the time, the EP's reception was shaped by the rising hype around "Call Me Maybe," positioning Curiosity as a promising introduction to Jepsen's mainstream pop shift. On aggregate sites, it holds a critic score of 70/100 based on one review and a user score of 71/100 from 76 ratings, reflecting its catchy hooks and summery charm amid the single's viral momentum.[42]Commercial performance
Upon its release, Curiosity debuted and peaked at number six on the Canadian Albums Chart in March 2012.[43] In the United States, the EP did not enter the Billboard 200, though its lead single "Call Me Maybe" significantly boosted its visibility on digital platforms. Globally, Curiosity has sold an estimated 165,000 equivalent album units, largely propelled by the massive success of "Call Me Maybe," which achieved over 18.5 million digital downloads and ringtones worldwide.[44][45] The EP itself has received no certifications from major industry bodies such as the RIAA or Music Canada. In contrast, "Call Me Maybe" earned Diamond certification (10 million units) from the RIAA on September 28, 2016, and nine-times Platinum certification from Music Canada.[46][47] Following its initial physical and digital release, Curiosity experienced a resurgence in accessibility through streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, where the full EP became widely available, contributing to renewed listens amid the single's enduring popularity.[48][15]Legacy
The release of Curiosity marked a pivotal breakthrough for Carly Rae Jepsen, catapulting her from a Canadian indie artist to a global pop sensation through the EP's lead single "Call Me Maybe," which became one of the defining hits of the 2010s and established her as an enduring pop icon.[49] The EP's success facilitated her U.S. major label debut with Schoolboy Records and Interscope, leading to extensive international tours and accolades, including Billboard's Rising Star Award at the 2012 Women in Music event, recognizing her rapid ascent tied directly to the project's viral momentum.[50] Several tracks from Curiosity, such as "Curiosity" and "Picture," were later incorporated into the deluxe edition of her follow-up album Kiss, ensuring their integration into her broader discography and sustained accessibility.[51] In retrospective assessments from the 2020s, Curiosity has been acclaimed for encapsulating the exuberant, pre-streaming era of pop music, where infectious hooks and physical releases dominated, as noted in reflections on its role in Jepsen's trajectory beyond a one-hit wonder.[52] The EP's blend of dance-pop and synth elements foreshadowed Jepsen's evolution into a synth-pop innovator. This acclaim underscores Curiosity's position as a foundational milestone, bridging her folk-indie roots with the polished electronic sounds that defined her later albums like Emotion.[53] Culturally, "Call Me Maybe" achieved meme-like ubiquity, spawning countless viral lip-sync videos and parodies that permeated online spaces and mainstream media in 2012, including high-profile covers by celebrities such as Justin Bieber, who kickstarted its U.S. buzz with a homemade video featuring Selena Gomez and others.[54][55] The song's playful, relatable lyrics and upbeat production symbolized a shift toward synth-infused pop for female-led acts, inspiring a wave of nostalgic revivals and covers that highlighted its timeless appeal, while the EP as a whole represented Jepsen's early foray into major-label polish.[56] The Curiosity EP, initially a Canadian release, faced distribution hurdles in the U.S. before gaining wider availability, but its tracks have since become staples on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, reflecting ongoing fan demand for Jepsen's pre-Kiss material.[48] Discussions around potential reissues in the early 2020s, driven by archival interest in her scrapped full-length Curiosity album, further affirm the project's lasting intrigue among devotees.[52]Track listing and credits
Track listing
The standard edition of Curiosity contains six tracks, with a total length of 20:11.[1] It was released in both digital download and CD formats exclusively in Canada, with no regional variations or alternate track listings.[22]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Call Me Maybe" | Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, Tavish Crowe | Josh Ramsay | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Curiosity" | Carly Rae Jepsen, Ryan Stewart | Ryan Stewart | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Picture" | Carly Rae Jepsen | Ryan Stewart | 3:03 |
| 4. | "Talk to Me" | Carly Rae Jepsen, Ryan Stewart | Ryan Stewart | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Just a Step Away" | Carly Rae Jepsen, Ryan Stewart, Larry Jepsen | Ryan Stewart | 3:46 |
| 6. | "Both Sides Now" | Joni Mitchell | Ryan Stewart | 3:52 |