If you’ve ever scrolled through a vinyl subreddit or spent too much time on pop music Twitter, you know the deal. Carly Rae Jepsen isn't just a "Call Me Maybe" hitmaker to the people who actually listen. She is the patron saint of the "flop" turned cult classic. And honestly? Nowhere is that devotion more visible than in the world of Carly Rae Jepsen vinyl.
Collecting her records isn't just about owning the music. It’s a full-on sport. Whether you are hunting for a translucent teal Dedicated or the elusive E•MO•TION Side B, there is a specific kind of serotonin hit that comes from dropping the needle on a CRJ wax. It's pop music that feels heavy. Literal, physical weight.
The E•MO•TION 10th Anniversary Era: Why Everyone Is Scrambling
Can you believe it’s been a decade? In late 2025, the 10th anniversary of E•MO•TION sent the community into a tailspin. This wasn't just a "happy birthday" tweet. We got a full-blown reissue campaign that basically redefined what a deluxe pressing looks like.
If you missed the initial October 17, 2025 drop, you're likely scouring Discogs right now. The 10th Anniversary Edition came in three main flavors that basically broke the internet (or at least the Interscope webstore):
- The Blue Swirl 1LP: This was the "standard" color, if you can even call it that. It’s a gorgeous, marbled blue that matches the "Run Away With Me" vibes perfectly.
- The Zoetrope Vinyl: This is the one for the nerds. When you spin it under a strobe light (or through your phone camera), the images on the disc actually "move." It’s a technical marvel, though some purists argue the sound quality is slightly lower on zoetropes.
- The Magenta Swirl 2LP: The holy grail. This set includes the "vault" tracks. We finally got high-quality pressings of "More," "Guardian Angel," and "Lost In Devotion."
The 2LP set also featured an alternate cover, which is a big deal because the original E•MO•TION artwork is iconic. Changing it was a risk, but the magenta aesthetic really captures the "1980s-on-steroids" sound of the record.
Hunting for Side B: The Rarity Factor
Here is the thing about Carly: her "B-sides" are often better than most artists' A-sides. But for a long time, getting these on vinyl was a nightmare.
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Take E•MO•TION Side B. For years, the black vinyl version was hovering around the $100 mark on the secondary market. It was a 12-inch EP that felt like a myth. Luckily, recent represses have calmed the market down a bit, but collectors still go feral for the original 2016 pressings.
Then there is Dedicated Side B. Did you know there was an exclusive baby blue pressing limited to just 1,500 copies? If you find one of those at a local record shop for under $50, buy it immediately. Don't think. Just tap your card. By the time you check the eBay sold listings, you’ll realize you just made a profit.
Decoding the Loneliest and Loveliest Times
The sister albums from 2022 and 2023 really leaned into the "colored vinyl" craze.
For The Loneliest Time, the "Crystal Vin Rose" (basically a fancy name for a soft pink) was the big winner. It fits the melancholic, disco-adjacent vibe of the title track. On the flip side, The Loveliest Time went with a "Milky White" pressing.
It's interesting. Carly’s team seems to understand the "bookshelf" aesthetic. These records look good together. They aren't just random neon colors; they feel curated. When you line up the spines of her discography, it’s a gradient of pop perfection.
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Real Talk: How Do They Actually Sound?
I’ve spent way too much money on my setup—Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, Ortofon Blue stylus, the whole bit. And I can tell you: CRJ pressings are hit or miss.
- Kiss: The 2012 era was the "Call Me Maybe" gold rush. Some of those early pressings are a bit thin. They lack the punchy bass you want for a track like "Tonight I'm Getting Over You."
- Dedicated: This is probably her best-engineered vinyl. The production on "Want You In My Room" is so crisp; on wax, the handclaps actually have room to breathe.
- The Loveliest Time: Since this was a 2023 release, the quality control was much higher. The "Milky White" variant is surprisingly quiet—very little surface noise.
The "Tug of War" Problem
If you want to be a completionist, you have to face the 2008 debut. Tug of War is Carly’s folk-pop era. It’s very "singer-songwriter in a Vancouver coffee shop."
Finding Tug of War on vinyl is difficult. It wasn't widely pressed during its initial run because, well, vinyl wasn't "back" yet in 2008. There was a 604 Records reissue later on, but it pops up infrequently. It’s the missing piece for most collectors. Honestly, it's sorta the final boss of the Carly Rae Jepsen vinyl collection.
Where to Buy Without Getting Ripped Off
Look, I love the convenience of big-box retailers, but Amazon is the worst place to buy vinyl. They ship records in bubble mailers sometimes. Your Dedicated will arrive looking like a taco.
Instead, check uDiscover Music or The Sound of Vinyl. These are often the direct-to-consumer arms for Interscope. They get the exclusives. They also have "20% off" sales almost every other weekend.
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Also, don't sleep on Rough Trade. They frequently get "exclusive" colors that you won't find at Target or Walmart. For the 10th anniversary of E•MO•TION, Rough Trade was one of the few places where you could consistently find the 2LP magenta swirl without it being "sold out" in four seconds.
The Resale Market: A Warning
If you’re looking at a $150 listing for a signed copy of The Loneliest Time, be careful. Carly does sign a lot of art cards, but she rarely signs the actual jacket. A lot of scammers will take the signed card from a CD or a different edition and try to pair it with a standard black vinyl to hike the price. Always ask for a photo of the original receipt or the shipping confirmation.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you're just starting your Carly collection, don't try to buy everything at once. Your wallet will cry.
Start with the E•MO•TION 10th Anniversary Blue Swirl. It’s the definitive version of her definitive album, and since it was a 2025 release, stock is still circulating at reasonable prices.
Next, track down The Loveliest Time on white vinyl. It’s her most "experimental" record and sounds incredible on a decent turntable.
Lastly, set up a saved search on Discogs for "Carly Rae Jepsen Side B." People often list these under the wrong category, and you can occasionally snag a deal if you’re fast enough.
The goal isn't just to have a shelf full of plastic. It’s to have a physical connection to the music that saved pop. Every time you pull that sleeve out, you’re participating in the cult of Carly. And honestly? It’s a pretty great club to be in.