Carly Rae Jepsen has a major crush on Japan. Proof of this came last summer when she released her latest album, "Emotion" (rendered "E• MO• TION"), in this country a whole two months before anywhere else in the world. That kind of exclusive isn't common for an album as anticipated as "Emotion" was, but she feels it was an important gift from her to the country she considers her home away from home.
"I have a great love and respect for my Japanese fans," Jepsen tells The Japan Times during a rare break on her Gimmie Love Tour across the United States. "Other than Canada, (Japan was) one of the first countries to really embrace me as an artist. When I released (2008's) "Tug Of War," it was released exclusively in Canada, and then to my surprise and delight, also in Japan. So there have been about 11 different visits to Japan since my introduction way back when I was 23 or 24. And it felt very fitting with the making of "Emotion" to pay credit to them and give thanks by letting them have the album first."
Jepsen definitely turned heads worldwide last year with "Emotion," but her 1980s-inspired dance pop arguably resonates better in Japan than anywhere else in the world. Sales for both "Emotion" and her previous album, 2012's "Kiss," have been strongest in Japan, which may have something to do with the decision to follow them up with remix albums. Much like she did for "Kiss" in 2013 with "Kiss: The Remix," Jepsen has just released a new Japan-only remix album, suitably titled, "Emotion Remixed +." The collection features eight remixes by Bleachers, Skylar Spence, the Knocks and Blasterjaxx, to name a few. The album is a gift to her fans, but for Jepsen the chance to present her music in another context was an opportunity she couldn't refuse.