Album- Stars Dance
Artist- Selena Gomez
Since her starring role in the Disney Channels ‘Wizards of
Waverly Place’, Selena Gomez has been a true star in the eyes of many, with the
actress and singer having a successful music, film and television career whilst
seemingly always remaining grounded. Yet in recent years with the singers
choice of projects and highly publicised relationship with pop megastar Justin
Bieber, the singer seems out to show that she is growing up. Ditching her band
the Scene for a new solo project, Stars Dance acts as the musical stamp on
Gomez’s becoming an adult. The question is, will the public like the solo
offerings of Gomez and see her in a new light, or will her fans be disappointed
and wish for the Selena of old?
Track 1- Birthday
Opening track Birthday was reportedly the first track
recorded for the album, and so placing it first on the record seems like a
great move, as it sets up the tone of the record nicely and shows the singer
being in a grown up state, even if she is singing about birthdays and partying.
The track is lyrically and vocally a very sassy number that features the singer
telling us to tell them it is her birthday, as she is going to party hard and
deserves to be feeling this way, cause she is in a seemingly euphoric frame of
mind. The singer gives us a light vocal performance that is simply delivered
but has enough vibrancy to make the song attention grabbing, with the chorus
being elevated by the layering of her vocals. However, the best and most
intriguing element of this song is the production, which definitely acts as a
sign of her musically growing and this being a solo effort. The track is based
in funky worldwide beats that encompass a range of genres and which meld
together to just give the track this snappy essence, making this a great song to
listen to when you’re getting ready to go out and need to get pumped up for the
party spirit.
3.5/5
Track 2- Slow Down
Released as the records second single, Slow Down is the
track that most shows the singer taking musical inspiration from the group Skrillex,
as the track features the most prominent mix of dup step with simple, vibrant
dance pop. The track is quite fun and weird in terms of the mismatching of the
lyrical message with the overall sound. This is because lyrically the song
focuses on the idea of slowing down a relationship rather than rushing into
things and really savouring the partnership. Yet producer the Cataracs provides
a strong dance rhythm that is addictive right from the songs beginning, and the
dubstep beats of the chorus make for a forceful tune that is instantly
attention grabbing and catchy.
3.5/5
Track 3- Stars Dance
Title track Stars Dance sees Gomez team up with previous
musical collaborators Rock Mafia for a euphoric in tone mid tempo dance number
that finds the singer seemingly telling us of her greatness. The song finds
Gomez telling her lover that she can make the stars dance for him, with the
track having this great two tone lyrical edge, as you can take the words as
something sweet or something sexually charged. Vocally the singers light and
airy tone really works well within the song, particularly in term of the
chorus, and so this song once again shows how Rock Mafia are great in creating
songs that really suit the singer rather than trying to put her into a musical
box that just doesn’t fit. The bass heavy production is nicely bookended by
stirring strings, and with swirling techno rhythms, this feels like a forceful
pop number that feels deserved of its title track status.
3.5/5
Track 4- Like a
Champion
Gomez changes the tone of the record a little for this track
that is the summer song of the record. The track finds the singer giving us a
preppy, light vocal performance that has a nice bit of attitude about it, and
which melds well with the lyrics, which focus on walking like a champion and
being confident in yourself. The song will undoubtedly draws comparisons with
the work of Rihanna due to the reggae and dancehall elements of the track, as
well as the ‘ram pa pa pum’ hook that makes the song sound like it was written
with Rihanna in mind. Yet there is a light and almost girlish fun to this track
that makes it stand out from being just a Rihanna reject, and the singers
vocals give a new essence to the track. Production wise the track features
punchy electro beats and another heavy bass led sound, whilst the reggae
influences give the track a lighter feel than the previous work, and so this
track offers us both a different kind of song, but also a track that still
makes the record feel cohesive.
Track 5- Come &
Get It
It seems that Gomez may want to really point out the fact
that she has taken some influence from Rihanna, as this track was co-written by
Ester Dean and Swedish production duo Stargate, who also produced the track.
These two musical artists are regular collaborators with Rihanna, and this song
is widely reported as being recorded for Rihanna’s sixth studio album, but
ultimately she decided against using the song. It seems like Rihanna’s
rejection was a blessing, as Gomez brings a different essence to the track (if
you imagine how it would sound with Rihanna on), and she just seems like a
perfect fit. Lyrically the track is a confident piece about a female lover’s
attempts to rekindle a romance, with Gomez boldly declaring ‘when you’re ready
come and get it’. The lyrics are simple but passionate, with a great ‘na na na
na’ hook that is very catchy. The song is elevated to greater heights by the
airy vocal performance that Gomez gives, with her voice giving the track this
breezy quality that further adds to its appeal. And whilst Stargate may provide
a simple electro pop energy to the track that is a little typical, the infusion
of Bollywood vocal moments and the pure essence of the synths make this a great
pop number that is feisty and imbues both Gomez and the listener with this
sense of confidence. After repeated listens you will surely love this track, as
this is pure pop goodness, and rightly deserves it’s success as being the
singers first Billboard Hot 100 top ten (although in my eyes it should be number
1).
5/5
Track 6- Forget
Forever
After the feisty and confident qualities of the last couple
of tracks, Gomez shifts gear a little with Forget Forever. The get up and dance
vibe is very much present, but this time we find the singer going a little more
emotionally deep with the lyrics, and also a little bit with the vocals. The
track focuses on Gomez telling of her emotional intensity at the end of a
relationship where she was so in love, but focusing on a positive message with
the idea of just forgetting your troubles and enjoying the now. The track has a
simple and quite beautiful softness about it that is brought out by the singers
vocals, and the track has this powerful two tone edge in the way that Gomez
exudes both heartbreak and happiness in different ways. The production of the
track Is one of the more simple dance orientated songs, with simple beats and a
light, bouncy rhythm that has this potentially ethereal quality, and so this
moment of slight softness and more straightforward dance pop is a nice change
within the record.
3.5/5
Track 7- Save the Day
Reportedly wanted to be recorded by Jennifer Lopez, who was
unable to obtain it from Gomez, Save the Day is another forceful dance pop
driven tune that focuses on Gomez being in this happy state where she expresses
her love for this man and the moment they are in, wishing that it could never
end. The song has a sweet message and a catchy hook in terms of the stuttering
hook. The song features a light vocal that has this wistful but happy tone, although
the track perhaps isn’t the best song to showcase the singers voice and indeed
sounds like it could have been sung by Jennifer Lopez. Production wise,
however, the track is really great, in the way that more organic instruments
are blending with heavy dance beats and slightly frenzied electro pop notes for
a feisty dance energy that is infectious.
Track 8- B.E.A.T
Described by Gomez as being dope and a song she can’t wait
to perform live, B.E.A.T is a slight urban offering from the singer that employs
a heavy bass sound and acts as a showcase for her love of artists such as Drake
and how this can have a cool influence on her own music. Lyrically the song
simply telling us of how she loves this beat and just wants you and her to be
dancing. The lyrics are a bit clichéd but have a catchy simplicity, and the
singer gives a simple vocal performance that is slighty feisty and is helped a
little through the use of Auto Tune. The clattering dance beats have a very
urban edge, with the middle section being a really cool moment where things are
toned down and the song is just given this cool twist. It does sound a bit like
a kid trying to do some urban music, but it is cool to see the singer being
musically diverse, and she is still maintaining the dance pop energy that the
album is rooted in.
3.5/5
Track 9- Write Your
Name
Write Your Name is almost like the singers attempt to
re-create the Terence Trent D’Arby track ‘Sign Your Name’, as like that song
the lyrics of this track are simply based in the idea of Gomez asking her lover
to write their name across her heart, because she wants to be theirs forever. The
feeling of falling in love is elevated by the airy tone of the singers vocals,
but the lyrics do feel to clichéd, and the tracks is hindered by the use of
Auto Tune which makes things feel a little lifeless, and the lyrics become too
repetitive. The production is interesting in terms of the simplicity of the
dance beats and the chilled atmosphere that is created, although the rap like
section is weird. Easily the weakest offering from this record.
2.5/5
Track 10- Undercover
Her second collaboration with the Cataracs, Undercover is a
dance offering that is one of the best tracks on the album in terms of the
vocal performance. This is because the singer pushes herself a little more
vocally and uses different elements of her voice for cool melodies and a more
varied, attention commanding performance. The track focuses on Gomez expressing
her desire for this man and how she wants to be lovers undercover. The
mysterious energy of the track is cool, and the sensuality behind the track
firmly shows how she has matured as an artist. Although some annoying clichés
are used in the lyrics, the production of the track makes it a stand out piece,
as the clattering dance beats and electro house inspired post chorus sections
are great dance floor sounds that make this quite a good tune for the clubs.
3.5/5
Track 11- Love Will
Remember
Gomez ends her first solo offering with her most personal
musical offering, and the only song on the record which is a ballad. However
the track still has a slight dance vibe and is mid tempo in energy, and so
doesn’t feel like too clichéd of an offering and still fits with the rest of
the record. The track lyrically focuses on the idea of this relationship ending
where the good times have just seemed to end, and Gomez expresses the feeling
that although it is over for her and her partner, the good time and the love
that was once had will be remembered. The songs delicacy and honesty is very
appealing and shows how this is a mature offering in that the singer is really
opening up to her audience about her relationships, in this case with Justin
Bieber. The vocal performance is bot deep and light and is just nicely executed
and balanced, although the use of Auto Tune is a little bit annoying. And
producers Rock Mafia give the song a great sound with the mixture pf the
clattering dance rhythms, cool electro beats and simple, delicate piano
instrumentation that blends together well for a sound that elevates the
emotional intensity, and this is just a great way to end the record.
3.5/5
Final Review
Selena Gomez has definitely shown that taking control of her
music really works for her, as this is a stellar solo offering. The singers
vocals blend really well with the dance pop orientated vibe of the record, and
the use of different genres throughout the album creates a cool diversity to
the record whilst still maintaining this sense of cohesiveness. Some songs
still perhaps veer into the simple pop territory that her Disney fans will
enjoy, but a lot of the time the singer caters to other audiences and could
find herself with new fans, and so I sincerely hope that this record does
really well, because it looks like solo Selena is even greater than expected.
8/10
Best Track- Come
& Get It
Worst Track- Write
Your Name
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