Call it poptimism, but the rallying cry behind Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION is hype worth believing in. Forget whatever prejudices you have against “Top 40” and press play. Jepsen’s music is a perfect balance of catchy synth-pop and smart, ever-evolving hooks—plus, it’s just plain fun.
“Boy Problems,” Jepsen’s latest single, is worth a listen for its slap-bass alone, but its disco beat will have you shimmying your shoulders in your office chair. And what’s even more irresistible than the song is its Petra Collins-directed video.
Jepsen, bereft in her tissue-strewn bed, laments her boy problems to her slumber-pal friends (including style rookie Tavi Gevinson) over the phone. In turn, they channel girl power to throw Jepsen a shimmering dance party and make her forget about her troubles.
Here’s what Jepsen told Rookie Mag about the video:
Out of the blue, Petra reached out to ask if she could make a video for her favorite track from the album: “Boy Problems.” What she didn’t know is that I had been following her online, via Instagram and other outlets, for a while and had become a HUGE fan of her photographs and artwork. I think she has a very gifted eye for a refreshing look at youth and beauty, and the way she plays with color always stands out to me. So the answer was an immediate YES! We met that first day in New York and were giddy with creating something new together and I am so pleased for how the dark and glittery scenes we imagined turned out. I hope you enjoy it!
We concur. Watch the “Boy Problems” video above.