Written by Avani Goswami
Rare, the new album from Selena Gomez, comes four years after her last studio album Revival, and brings an upbeat edge to the feelings she’s been experiencing while she was away. The 13 track pop record has the trademark sound fans of Gomez love, but most of the songs have a unique sonic quality to them. The album feels like Revival’s brighter, older sister, even though it lacks some of the ballads I hoped it would have.
The album has been highly anticipated ever since Gomez released the singles “Lose You To Love Me” and “Look At Her Now.” These songs are paced much differently from the rest of the album, but they serve as a great introduction to Rare as the rest of the album is a balance (tempo wise) between the two singles.
The title track, “Rare,” is a standout on the album. With the lyrics stating, “It feels like you don’t care/Why don’t you recognize I’m so rare?” the song reflects a more confident Gomez, showing her growth since her last album.
Other tracks that shine on the record are “Ring,” “Cut You Off,” and “Dance Again,” all songs with very different styles but catchy all the same. “Ring” is a different sound from what we’re used to from Gomez had tried before but the song’s opening lyrics very similar to “Rare:” “You all in your feelings, baby, all into me/I’m one in a billion, baby, don’t you agree?” The other songs have similar R&B influences, with two songs featuring other artists like 6lack and Kid Cudi.
Some of the tracks in the middle, like “Kinda Crazy” and “Fun,” feel similar and upon the first listen and blur together. However, Gomez’s lyrics throughout the album remain open, despite some of the colorful beats in the background. For example, in “Fun,” Gomez sings “You get me higher than my medication.” Gomez is credited for writing on each song and it pays off, Rare showing a lot of the feelings she has been through with a pop backtrack.
Overall, Rare is a fun listen with songs you want to sing in the shower or dance to. Most of the album is cheerful and relaxed, and reflects her experiences with love and self-worth, but I find myself wishing there were some more ballads like “Lose You To Love Me.” The album itself is exciting and shows her growth, which is something any longtime fan can appreciate. If she had more songs similar to Revival’s “Sober,” it would be golden.
