Selena Gomez has returned to the spotlight with the release her first new album in five years. “Rare” is the singer’s third studio album as a solo artist, but her sixth studio album including three records from her previous band, “Selena Gomez and the Scene.” To be honest, I thought Gomez had left the scene completely, but she’s back and as confident as ever in her newest work that’s all about self-love.
The former Disney channel star used to serve electro-pop jams like “Round and Round” and “I Love You Like a Love Song” which were undeniably cheesy, but, regardless, widely loved. As time goes by, we see her music relax and take a calmer approach, while still maintaining a high sense of energy.
In the past five years, Gomez has opened up about her medical struggles. She was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus in 2017, the same year she underwent a kidney transplant. Additionally, Gomez has shared about her battle with anxiety as well as experienced a massively publicized breakup. Since her 2015 album, “Revival,” Gomez has only been producing singles, but can anyone blame her? I commend Gomez for continuing to create art in such a difficult time. To see her so confident and lively after all she’s been through makes the release of “Rare” even more exciting.
The first single of the album, “Lose You to Love Me,” was released last year in October. Though Gomez has been a household name since as long as I can remember (shout out to “Wizards of Waverly Place”), this was her first ever single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, carrying her career to new heights. The simple ballad is one of the most vulnerable songs, in which she sings about heartbreak and learning to love herself again.
I had heard this song many times without actually knowing it was Gomez’s. The same goes for most of her singles in the past few years. The singer doesn’t really have a unique style; she more-so follows popular trends than sets her own. In fact, I’d argue “Rare” is more “medium-rare” in terms of musical style, but “well done” nonetheless. What she does have is a unique voice. Her range isn’t wide, but she’s embraced a breathy, whisper-like tone that really works for her.
Self-love and finding oneself again after a difficult time seems to be the driving force that pieces the record’s tracks together. The title song, “Rare,” opens the album with an upbeat song about being unique and wanting to find someone who will recognize just how rare she is. The next track, “Dance Again,” is an empowering song where Gomez shares how she regained her confidence, claiming “happiness ain’t something you sit back and wait for.”
“Fun” is a bop that’s both flirty and dangerous, all the while having a cute and catchy beat.
In “Cut You Off,” Gomez delivers a fierce, stone-cold tone that tells us you wouldn’t want to mess with her. My favorite song on the album is “Vulnerable,” where she promises herself to stay vulnerable despite knowing it can lead to tribulations. The album closer, “A Sweeter Place,” is a collaboration with Kid Cudi and is a cute and hopeful song about wanting to escape to a sweeter place where she can hide from the limelight.
Overall, the album is pretty safe; it’s full to the brim with typical pop songs that anybody could have wrote. Though it’s Gomez’s most vulnerable and empowering album, it still isn’t that deep. After listening to the whole album a few times, I’m still left wondering more about her feelings besides what’s on the surface. Despite this, I still like it and think it’s perfectly enjoyable. Not all art has to meet the life-changing expectations we give it. “Rare” is fun, light-hearted and came from a familiar voice so many of us grew up listening to and are ready to embrace again.
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