Dedicated (album)

## **Dedicated***Fourth studio album*

* Standard
* Unused
* Placeholder

## Singles

1. Party for One
Released: November 1st 2018
2. Now That I Found You
Released: February 27th 2019
3. No Drug Like Me
Released: February 27th 2019
4. Julien
Released: April 19th 2019
5. Too Much
Released: May 9th 2019

*§ For other uses of Dedicated - see here: Dedicated disambiguation*

**Dedicated** is the fourth studio album from Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released on May 17th 2019 through 604, School Boy and Interscope Records.

The album would serve as a follow-up to her 2015 record, Emotion, and, likewise, would receive a collection of B-Sides in the form of Dedicated Side B a year later in 2020.

## **Background**

#### **Early beginnings as Disco Sweat**

Prior to the development of Dedicated, Jepsen's fourth studio album would be conceived in the form of the now-scrapped Disco Sweat project in late 2015, envisioned as a "understated disco" type of sound inspired primarily by ABBA and the Bee Gees. Work on Disco Sweat carried out through the end of 2015 and into mid-2016, though would ultimately be scrapped due to Jepsen considering the disco influence too constraining. She explained that "the idea of it being exclusively disco was sort of pigeonholing me, because it wasn’t coming out naturally."

#### **Disco Sweat scrapped**

In August 2016, Jepsen attended a writers camp in Nicaragua and reworked the original Disco Sweat demo of Julien she had written previously, into the version of the song that would see its eventual inclusion on Dedicated. Because of the song, Jepsen would decide on the new direction to take the project in and ultimately decide scrap Disco Sweat.

After this point, work commenced on what would eventually become Dedicated. Although the project as a whole was shelved, various songs from the initial Disco Sweat sessions would be further reworked for Dedicated and its B-Side between 2016 and 2019. Jepsen states that after scrapping Disco Sweat, she was going to "allow herself to play in all the genres of pop" that she was interested in, specifically drawing influences from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, not just disco, stating she "let go of the rules" in knowing exactly what she was going to make.

## **Writing and development**

The writing process for Dedicated would take place between 2016 and 2019, where well-over 200 songs were written for the album in "varying stages of completed-ness". Jepsen states she had written 50-something songs for the project by May 2017, with the total increasing to 80 by October of that year, and again increasing to around 100 songs by April 2018.

Carly explained that, going into Dedicated, she wasn't exactly sure what kind of album she wanted to make, but knew she didn't want to "re-do Emotion all over again." She decided to spend time travelling and create as much new material as possible, experimenting with different sounds until she landed on something that felt right.

Julien and For Sure were among the first tracks written for Dedicated, between July and August 2016 in Nicaragua and Sweden respectively. The early writing sessions in Sweden would also see songs such as Party For One and Fake Mona Lisa recorded around this time, with For Sure and Party For One detailing Jepsen's breakup with ex-boyfriend David Larkins. In August 2017, Jepsen wrote Now That I Found You after attending the writing camp in Nicaragua for a second time. Album tracks The Sound and Real Love were also among the songs written during the Nicaragua sessions, with the latter being a song Jepsen worked on with her then-boyfriend James Flannigan in the early stages of their relationship.

Jepsen's new relationship with Flannigan would lead to the creation of songs such as No Drug Like Me and the album's scrapped title-track. Between 2017 and 2018, Jepsen met with producer Jack Antonoff in the studio to work on Want You In My Room for the album and B-side track This Love Isn't Crazy. Throughout the development of Dedicated, Jepsen worked closely with producers John Hill and Jordan Palmer, who made contributions to songs like No Drug Like Me, Happy Not Knowing, and Too Much. Jepsen states Hill was brought onto the project later into its development, with I'll Be Your Girl among one of the last songs to be completed in late 2018. Dedicated also saw production contributions from musicians Alex Hope, Rogét Chahayed, Koz and Jim Alxndr, and Daniel Zaidenstadt amongst others.

#### **Track list finalisation**

The process of narrowing down the 200 songs Carly had written for Dedicated, into just 15, would take place through a series of track list revisions, influenced by her own opinion and the feedback of friends, family, and her bandmates in a series of listening parties.

Carly explained that the "top six to eight songs" would arise from the listening parties. She also explained how Julien acted as a benchmark song during this process, and helped in identifying other contenders for the album, "that confidence [about Julien] helped me know when I had that feeling about other songs."

In January 2019, Jepsen shared that she had narrowed down a list of her favourite contenders for the album and decided on the order of the track listing.  A behind-the-scenes video, recorded in February 2019, shows a draft track-listing with an alternate song order.  Everything He Needs was the last song to make the cut for the album, after Jepsen received sample clearance just a week before the album deadline in March 2019.

#### **Draft track listing**

§ Incomplete draft track listing as of February 2019, prior to the inclusion of Everything He Needs:

1. Julien
2. No Drug Like Me
3. Happy Not Knowing
4. Want You In My Room
5. Now That I Found You
6. For Sure
7. Real Love
8. Automatically In Love
9. Feels Right
10. I'll Be Your Girl
11. The Sound
12. (...)

## **Album title**

Jepsen says it took a while to land on the album's title, though, for a time, the project was being developed under the working 'half-joking' title of Music To Clean Your House To inspired by Jepsen's own music listening habits, "I thought, that’s when I listen to music at this age."

In a similar vein, the album was also known as Music To Dance To In Your Living Room Versus The Club at one point, because Jepsen states she was "hoping to create that sort of connection and joy" and explained, "it’s just how I digest music, I think where I am in my life, it’s less about wanting to go to a club all night."

The actual title of the album, Dedicated, would eventually be decided upon after Jepsen wrote a song of the same name for her then-boyfriend, James Flannigan, soon after they had began their relationship in the summer of 2017. Although the song was cut from the album, the name stuck around, and Jepsen explained that this was because "it still really explores the theme of what I was going through in life and what a lot of these songs were about - through a break-up, and singlehood, and even a new something - and what it would mean for me to kind of fully commit myself."  Carly also explained, "I’m a sucker for a one-word title so I knew I would like it if there was simplicity but also strength behind it."

## **Announcement and release**

Since the end of 2017 and throughout 2018, Jepsen would begin to tease that new music was on the way. Ultimately, the first glimpse of her then-upcoming album would materialise with its lead single Party for One in November 2018. With the release of the song came the first information regarding the album, with an expected release date of sometime in 2019. Likewise, with the release of Now That I Found You, the album was given new release window sometime in the summer. Dedicated was officially announced by Jepsen through social media on April 1st 2019 and set to be released a month later on May 17th 2019.

## **Album cover**

#### **Announcement and reveal**

Upon its initial announcement in April 2019, Dedicated's album cover was still yet to be revealed and a placeholder image was being used for the time-being. The official album cover would be unveiled on April 18th, alongside the official track listing, as pre-orders for the album went live. The album cover photoshoot took place on July 16th 2018.

#### **Composition and purpose**

The album cover for Dedicated decidedly features Jepsen shirtless with her back towards the camera, her head turned away. Jepsen explained this was the result of, in her eyes, a woman's body and face being a "big selling point| in pop music, and something she disliked; it was as a purposeful statement against that belief. Jepsen states she had to argue with her label not to appear in close-up on the album cover.

## **Singles**

#### **Party For One**

Party For One would serve as the album's lead single, releasing on November 1st, 2018 through 604, School Boy, and Interscope Records. Despite this, the song would only appear on the deluxe version of the album upon release.

#### **Now That I Found You / No Drug Like Me**

Now That I Found You was originally announced as the album's second single, in partnership with Netflix and Queer Eye, set to release on February 27th, 2019.  On February 25th, Jepsen announced No Drug Like Me would also release alongside the song and the pair would now be issued as a double-single instead, serving as Dedicated's second and third singles respectively.

#### **Julien**

Julien is the album's first and only promotional single, released on April 19th, 2019 as a digital download alongside the pre-order for Dedicated. The song would also be made available on streaming platforms that same day.

#### **Too Much**

Too Much would serve as Dedicated's final single, preceding the album. The track was released on May 9th, 2019, alongside the album's previous singles now collected together in a single extended-play on streaming services. Dedicated would release a week later on May 17th, 2019.

## **Critical reception**

Dedicated received generally favourable reviews from publications, with Metacritic reporting an overall rating of 79 based on 22 critical reviews.

Heather Phares of AllMusic gave Dedicated a rating of 4 and a half stars out of five, writing that 'Jepsen is just as committed to her music as she is to the ideal of true love, and the way she's grown without sacrificing her uniqueness makes. Dedicated is a master class in what a 2010s pop album can be.'

Laura Snapes of The Guardian gave a rating of 4 stars out of five, stating that 'Jepsen leaves a stronger impression: swooning into the gently funky Julien; seductively in control on the looser No Drug Like Me; cheeky as Cyndi Lauper on Want You in My Room'.

Pitchfork rated the album a 7.3, with reviewer Anna Gaca writing 'Jepsen is doing what she does best, calibrating lovesick or lovelorn synthpop that’s neither too hot nor too cold—and sometimes, regrettably, only lukewarm.'

## **Gallery**

* *§ Visit the Dedicated gallery: Gallery*
* *§ Visit the Dedicated photoshoot gallery: Photoshoot Gallery*

#### **Album covers**

Standard / DeluxeUnused versionPlaceholder versionDeluxe back cover

## **Album credits**

#### **Writing and production**

* Carly Rae Jepsen - songwriting (all tracks)
* Kyle Shearer - songwriting, production (1)
* Nate Cyphert - songwriting (1)
* Ben Ruttner - songwriting (1)
* Jared Manierka - songwriting (1, 9)
* John Hill - songwriting, production (2, 6-8, 10, 11)
* Jordan Palmer - songwriting, production (2, 6, 8, 11); vocal production (6, 11)
* Daniel Ledinsky - songwriting (2, 6)
* James Flannigan - songwriting (2, 13); production, vocal production (13)
* Ben Berger - songwriting (3); production (3, 15)
* Ryan Rabin - songwriting (3); production (3, 15)
* Ryan McMahon - songwriting (3); production (3, 15)
* Alexander O'Neill - songwriting, additional production (3)
* Tavish Crowe - songwriting (4, 6)
* Jack Antonoff - songwriting, production (4)
* Harry Nilsson - songwriting (5)
* CJ Baran - songwriting, production (5)
* Ben Romans - songwriting, production (5)
* Amanda Warner - songwriting (5)

* Patrik Berger - songwriting, production (7, 14)
* Noonie Bao - songwriting (8, 14)
* Rob Cohen - vocal production (8, 10)
* Tommy English - songwriting, production (9)
* Noah Breakfast - songwriting, production (9)
* Rogét Chahayed - songwriting, production (10, 12)
* Nate Campany - songwriting (10)
* Asa Taccone - songwriting, production (11)
* Matthew Compton - songwriting, production (11)
* Alex Hope - songwriting, production, vocal production (12)
* Chris Whitehall - songwriting (13)
* Koz Alxndr - additional production (13)
* Jim Alxndr - additional production (13)
* Daniel Zaidenstadt - vocal production (13)
* Pontus Winnberg - songwriting, production (14)
* Anton Runberg - songwriting, production (15)
* Julia Karlsson - songwriting, vocal production (15)

#### **Performance**

* Carly Rae Jepsen - vocals (all tracks); background vocals (15)
* Nate Cyphert - background vocals (1)
* Ben Berger - background vocals (3)
* Ryan Rabin - background vocals (3)
* Ryan McMahon - background vocals (3)
* Asa Taccone - vocals (11)
* Noonie Bao - background vocals (14)
* Julia Karlsson - background vocals (15)

#### **Instrumentation**

* Kyle Shearer - instrumentation (1)
* John Hill - guitar (2, 6-8, 11); drums (2, 6-8); keyboards (2, 6, 8, 10-11); synthesiser (6, 8); bass (6, 8, 11); percussion (6); horns (11)
* Jordan Palmer - guitar, bass, synthesiser (2, 6, 8); drums, keyboards (2, 6, 8, 11); percussion (6)
* Jack Antonoff - instrumentation (4)
* Evan Smith - saxophone (4)
* Ben Romans - keyboard (5)
* Amanda Warner - bass (5)
* Patrik Berger - bass, guitar, drums (7); instrumentation (14)
* James King - saxophone (7)
* Noah Breakfast - piano (9)
* Rogét Chahayed - keyboards (10, 12); piano (10)
* Electric Guest - piano, percussion, guitars, keyboards (11)
* Alex Hope - keyboards, bass (12)
* Jim Alexandr - saxophone (13)
* Pontus Winnberg - instrumentation (14)
* Anton Runberg - keyboards, drums, instrumentation, arrangement (15)
* Ben Berger - keyboards, drums, instrumentation, arrangement (15)
* Ryan Rabin - keyboards, drums, instrumentation, arrangement (15)
* Ryan McMahon - keyboards, drums, instrumentation, arrangement (15)

#### **Technical**

* Șerban Ghenea - mixing (1-4, 14-15)
* Gene Grimaldi - mastering (1, 4-6, 8-9, 11-14)
* John Hanes - engineering (1-2, 4)
* John Hill - programming (2, 6-8, 10-11)
* Rob Cohen - engineering (2, 6-8, 10)
* John Hanes - engineering (2, 3, 14-15)
* Chris Gehringer - mastering (2, 7, 10)
* David Kutch - mastering (3)
* Ben Berger - engineering (3); programming (15)
* Ryan Rabin - engineering (3); programming (15)
* Ryan McMahon - engineering (3); programming (15)
* Jack Antonoff - programming (4)
* Laura Sisk - engineering (4)
* CJ Baran - programming, engineering (5)
* Mitch McCarthy - mixing (5)
* John Castelli - mixing (6-8, 10)
* Jordan Palmer - programming (6, 8)
* Blake Mares - engineering (6-8, 10-11)
* Ingmar Carlson - mix engineering (6-8, 10)
* Tony Maserati - mixing (9)
* Miles Comaskey - mix assistance (9)
* Alex Hope - programming (12)
* Rogét Chahayed - programming (12)
* Josh Gudwin - mixing (12)
* Elijah Merritt-Hitch - mix assistance (12)
* Dan Grech-Marguerat - mixing (13)
* James Flannigan - programming (13)
* Koz Alxndr - programming (13)
* Jim Alxndr - programming (13)
* Patrik Berger - programming (14)
* Pontus Winnberg - programming (14)

#### **Overview credits**

* Gretchen Anderson - production
* Tavish Crowe - musical director
* Amy Davis - creative director
* Dina Hovsepian - art director

#### **Album cover credits**

* Dina Hovsepian - album cover design
* Natalie O'Moore - album cover photography
* Markus & Koala - additional album photography
* Hayley Atkin - styling

## **Navigation**

* Discography

**The Loveliest Time** • *2023***The Loneliest Time** • *2022***Dedicated
Side B** • *2020*****Dedicated****
*2019***Emotion
Side B** • *2016***Emotion**
*2015***Kiss**
*2012***Curiosity**
*2012***Tug of War**
*2008*

## **References**

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The BUILD Queen, Carly Rae Jepsen Is In The House! Youtube. May 29 2019. Retrieved March 6th, 2021.
2. ↑ @the\_knocks "@carlyraejepsen’s ‘Julien’ is out today!! Took a trip down to @maderasvillage in Nicaragua with some amazing people a couple years..." April 19th 2019. Retrieved March 7th, 2021. - Via Instagram
3. ↑ @carlyraejepsen "Julien is the song that taught me the heart and direction of this album. Couldn’t keep him for myself any longer." April 19th 2019. Retrieved March 7th, 2021. - Via Instagram
4. ↑ @carlyraejepsen "This week- not unlike weeks before, I stressed right out about song selection. (...)" January 18th 2019 - via Instagram
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 @carlyraejepsen "Julien is the song that taught me the heart and direction of this album. Couldn’t keep him for myself any longer (...)" April 19th 2019 (filmed in February 2019) - via Twitter
6. ↑ The BUILD Queen, Carly Rae Jepsen Is In The House! Youtube. May 29 2019
7. ↑ @carlyraejepsen "TOMORROW #PartyForOne" (Tweet) October 31st, 2018. Retrieved April 13th, 2021. - Via Twitter
8. ↑ Rettig, James "Carly Rae Jepsen Previews New Song “Now That I Found You” In *Queer Eye* Trailer" Stereogum. February 13th, 2019. Retrieved March 8th, 2021.
9. ↑ Wass, Mike "Two New Singles! Carly Rae Jepsen Announces “No Drug Like Me”" Idolator. February 25th, 2019. Retrieved March 8th, 2021.
10. ↑ @carlyraejepsen "I’ll be whispering Julien… Friday" (Tweet) April 16th 2019. Retrieved March 7th, 2021. - Via Twitter
11. ↑ Daramola, Israel "Carly Rae Jepsen – “Too Much”" Spin. May 9th, 2019. Retrieved June 8th, 2021.
12. ↑ "Spotify - Too Much" Spotify. May 9th, 2019. Retrieved June 8th, 2021.
13. ↑ 'Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen reviews' *AnyDecentMusic?* May 16th 2019
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 'Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen Reviews and Tracks' *Metacritic*, May 16th 2019
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Phares, Heather 'Dedicated - Carly Rae Jepsen' *AllMusic*, May 17th 2019
16. ↑ Barr, Natalia 'A More Confident Carly Rae Jepsen Knows What She Wants on Dedicated' *Consequence of Sound*, May 16th 2019
17. ↑ Carlick, Stephen 'Carly Rae Jepsen: Dedicated' *Exclaim!* May 16th 2019
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Snapes, Laura 'Carly Rae Jepsen: Dedicated review – dusky disco glories' The Guardian, May 17th 2019
19. ↑ Bray, Elisa 'Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated review: A positively jubilant album, covering the full spectrum of love, lust and break-ups' The Independent, May 16th 2019
20. ↑ Bruton, Louise 'Carly Rae Jepsen: Dedicated review – Bruised affairs with a killer pop heart' The Irish Times, May 15th 2019
21. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah 'Carly Rae Jepsen – 'Dedicated' review' NME, May 17th 2019
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Gaca, Anna 'Carly Rae Jepsen: *Dedicated* Album Review' Pitchfork, May 17th 2019
23. ↑ Grant, Sarah 'Carly Rae Jepsen Delivers Peppy Teen-Pop Wisdom on Dedicated' Rolling Stone, May 17th 2019
24. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will 'Carly Rae Jepsen: Dedicated review' The Times, May 17th 2019