Carly Rae Jepsen, the Canadian singer-songwriter who rose to global fame with her 2012 hit "Call Me Maybe," has released a new album, *Day and Night*, marking a reflective chapter in both her personal and professional life. The album, arriving 14 years after her breakout single, explores themes of marriage, motherhood, and intimacy.

Jepsen, 40, spoke from the Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan, where she and her husband, musician and producer Cole MGN, were married last year in an intimate ceremony with about 100 guests. The singer described the wedding as “smaller” but meaningful, emphasizing a sense of closeness even amid limited time with attendees.

Born and raised in Mission, British Columbia, Jepsen first gained attention after placing third on Canadian Idol in 2007 and releasing a folk album, *Tug of War*, in 2008. Her international breakthrough came with "Call Me Maybe," which topped charts in 19 countries and sold over 18 million copies worldwide. The song propelled her second album, *Kiss*, into the top 10 in several countries. Since then, Jepsen has released six additional studio albums, carving out a distinct niche within the pop music landscape.

With *Day and Night*, Jepsen reflects on her evolving identity, both as an artist and as a new mother. She became a parent in March, an experience she describes as simultaneously joyous and terrifying. “There is nothing more vulnerable than having a child,” Jepsen said. “It’s this whole heartbeat that breathes outside you.” Balancing motherhood and music has influenced her songwriting, leading to an album that combines domestic themes with a candid exploration of desire—her “horniest album to date,” as she acknowledges.

Jepsen’s creative approach continues to defy easy categorization. While her music retains its signature melodic hooks, she embraces complexity and experimentation. She credits her longtime guitarist, Tavish Crowe, with inspiring a conceptual framework for the album, envisioning it as a double record capturing varied moods reminiscent of a house party unfolding room by room. Jepsen emphasized the challenge of maintaining cohesion without sounding repetitive in songs that traverse multiple genres.

Her career trajectory diverges from the typical pop star path. Once a dominant figure in mainstream charts, Jepsen now leans into a smaller but dedicated fanbase, describing herself as an “indie darling.” She acknowledges the shifting music industry landscape, where streaming and social media fragment audiences and obscure broad exposure. Nevertheless, she remains focused on crafting “a tight melody, with updated production” and prefers cultivating a strong connection with listeners over mass marketing.

Jepsen’s artistic versatility extends beyond her solo work. In 2014, she made a surprise Broadway debut starring in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical *Cinderella*, an experience she credits with rekindling her creative passions. Looking ahead, she is involved in composing music for the upcoming stage adaptation of *10 Things I Hate About You*, collaborating with playwright Jessica Huang and co-composer Ethan Gruska. Jepsen regards this project as a distinct challenge, aiming to honor the 1990s setting while capturing the emotional intensity of the characters.

Reflecting on her journey—from the global success of a viral pop hit to motherhood and theatrical endeavors—Jepsen conveys a sense of self-assurance and openness to uncertainty. “At this stage in my life, I feel much more comfortable with the parts that I don’t have full control over,” she said. With *Day and Night* out this week via Interscope Records, Jepsen continues to assert her evolving voice in contemporary pop music.