Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Canada’s pop queen faced a frightening prospect trying to match the success of her worldwide smash “Call Me Maybe.” But rather than duplicate the song, which inspired endless covers, parodies and celebrities lip-dubs, Carly Rae Jepsen experimented. For her new album the 29-year-old native of Mission, B.C. sought out a diverse range of writers and producers. The result is a sugar rush of ’80s-style synth sounds with some refreshing hints of sadness. Songs like the infectious “I Really Like You” explore Jepsen’s specialty: the infatuations and flirtations of first love. Nods to the ’80s include “Boy Problems,” a Madonna-style disco number, and “All That,” which boasts a Prince-like sensuality....

She’s hardly a newcomer, but 44-year-old Amy Helm is finding her own voice. She grew up as the daughter of Levon Helm, legendary drummer for the Band. Amy recorded three albums with country quartet Ollabelle and spent a decade in the Midnight Ramble band with her dad, who died in 2012. Now the mother of two has released Didn’t It Rain, her stunning solo debut that features Levon’s final sessions. Highlights include Amy’s inspired gospel opener and her soulful version of the Sam Cooke classic “Good News.” Her father can be heard drumming on three tracks and counting off the intro to “Spend Our Last Dime.” Says Amy proudly: “He had a vision for me before I had it for myself.” 

Mika’s 2007 debut, Life in Cartoon Motion, showed flashes of pop brilliance, with a debt to Freddie Mercury and Elton John. But his followup albums were disappointingly inconsistent. His fourth disc is the first to fully realize the depth of his gift for expansive melodies, glorious hooks and complex lyrics. It’s also the first to show his knack for catchy French songs like “Boum Boum Boum,” already a chart-topper in France. No Place in Heaven is bursting with the kind of infectious, whipsmart songs Mika showed he was capable of with his smash hit “Grace Kelly.” The new album features too many highlights to mention, but standouts include the barnstorming “Talk About You,” the giddy, handclap...