It’s been four-and-a-half years since Selena Gomez released an album. On Jan. 10 she debuted what she’s been working on with an album titled “Rare.”
Overall, I enjoyed listening to the songs on this album. Gomez was able to showcase her vocal talents as well as her song-writing skills. The songs featured definitely have a similar style to previous songs Gomez has released. There were some songs that blended into the background, but there were also six songs that caught my attention.
My favorite songs on the album were the ones that took me by surprise. They caught my attention right away and kept my attention. Most of these songs were upbeat songs on the album, because I love a song that can get my head bopping and makes me want to dance and sing along.
The title song of the album, “Rare,” was one of my favorites. It has some strong beats and moments of syncopation. The rhyming of a few lyrics were nicely done, and the speeding up and slowing down of the delivery of the lyrics was a cool effect as well. I can definitely see myself jamming to this song while in the car.
I had already heard “Lose You to Love Me” before the album was released, and it’s a song that makes me feel the emotion. The lyrics are well-written even though they are a bit repetitive. However, the repetitiveness makes it easier to learn the lyrics and sing along. It’s one of the slower songs on the album, but it’s also a powerful one. I enjoyed the piano used throughout it as well as the choral style that comes in part-way through.
Another song that I really enjoyed listening to was “Ring.” Right away I knew this song would stand out among the rest when it started with the guitar. There some snaps and percussion incorporated that give it a Latin flavor. This song reminded me of the song “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago. I also got a hint of Amy Winehouse.
There is an abrupt ending that took me off guard, but I liked it. I didn’t want the song to end because I was grooving to it.
“Let Me Get Me” is a creepy song that had me interested right away. It took me back to some older Selena songs like the “Wizards of Waverly Place” theme song and “Love You Like a Love Song.” I also heard some similarities to Shakira’s “She Wolf.”
The song “Fun” fits its title because it’s upbeat and has a catchy tempo that makes me want to bop my head and dance. It’s the kind of song that would work well in a teenage romantic comedy movie. Throughout the song there is a delayed lyric drop that kept me intrigued and it fit so well. There is also a nice transition from a poppy beat to a smooth beat and then back to the original beat.
“Cut You Off” is not your typical break up song, and I really enjoyed listening to it because of that. It has some nice, catchy runs throughout it and those runs are supported by a strong, solid beat. There is a part in the song that reminds me of Taylor Swift’s “ME!” which is cool because Gomez and Swift are friends. This song showcases Gomez’s savage side.
I was impressed by this album as a whole, but some of the songs were a bit underwhelming. Gomez has a style that she knows works for her, but I would like to be a little more surprised and caught off guard by her at times. There are some standout songs on this album, and I’m happy that I have some new songs to add to my jamming playlist.
Four stars
