The Loneliest Time, the sixth studio album from pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen, is a satisfactory follow up to, and improvement on, her 2020 album, Dedicated Side B.

Some listeners may only know Jepsen from her 2012 mega-hit “Call Me Maybe,” a song that went diamond, or 10-times platinum. What listeners might not be familiar with is Jepsen’s 2015 album Emotion, a record that peaked relatively lowly in the U.S. despite being one of the best LPs of that year.

Since Emotion, Jepsen’s music has dipped slightly in quality, with 2019’s Dedicated and her Side B project. However, The Loneliest Time shows she still has the chops to make quality and catchy pop music.

Lead single “Western Wind” is a perfect example of Jepsen’s style of pop music. The song mixes musical elements of R&B with her excellent pop vocals to create a memorable, low-key chorus.

The single “Talking to Yourself” demonstrates another element of what makes Jepsen’s form of pop music indelible. The track is relatively sonically experimental, with the music cutting out periodically during the chorus, creating brief times of restraint that leave listeners on the edge of their seats.

Another experimental track, “Joshua Tree,” opens with a bass line that wouldn’t be out of place on an early Black Sabbath song. With the laid-back chorus, the track creates an interesting, somewhat dark, yet relentlessly enjoyable atmosphere.

Sometimes, though, these sonic risks don’t pay off.

Take the single “Beach House.” For one, the male vocals on the song don’t mix well with Jepsen’s style, creating a jarring moment on the record. Additionally, the lyrics that are supposed to be slightly endearing come off as completely corny and half-baked.

Another valid critique of the LP is one that is continued from her previous project. Towards the end of the album, the songs tend to blend together. Individually, the songs aren’t bad, but together they can sometimes sound the same.

In spite of the small issues, The Loneliest Time is an enjoyable addition to Jepsen’s discography.