Selena Gomez is officially back and, dare we say, better than ever. Her first album in almost FIVE years dropped today, and the most important thing to take away from it is that she’s in a really healthy place now.
The last half-a-decade has been tough for Selena, particularly due to her ongoing health issues, but she’s now ready to open up through her music – and this time, there’s no holding back. ‘Rare’ tells her story of accepting the journey, realising her own self-worth and finally being able to heal.
As soon as the emotional lead-single ‘Lose You To Love Me’ was released, we knew the tone was set for this album to be her most fearless yet. When questioned at her album release party if there was any hesitation about being so vulnerable, Selena instantly quipped back, “No.”
She continued, “I think people had already narrated their own story for me. I choose when I am okay with sharing so much, but the whole point of it was it was just matter-of-fact. I wanted people to hear my side of it because I deserve that.”
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On knowing her own worth – ‘Rare’
The opening track sees Selena tackle her self-esteem issues head-on with an empowerment anthem that is set to be the next single (and deservedly so.) She perfectly executes the message of self-love and walks the line where many others topple towards self-indulgence.
I don’t have it all, I’m not claiming to / But I know that I’m special
The song is tinged with sadness as the lyrics paint a picture of how toxic the relationship is. Selena really isn’t asking for much (“Saw us gettin’ older, burnin’ toast in the toaster / My ambitions were too high”) until the turning point where she decides she isn’t going to beg for anyone’s love and attention. You don’t have to stay with somebody who treats you badly. You’re worth more than that.
On allowing herself to be happy – ‘Dance Again’ & ‘Let Me Get Me’
What appears on the surface to be a fun bop about having a great time on the dance floor, is actually a brilliant metaphor about pro-actively choosing happiness instead of sitting around and waiting for it to magically appear.
The song feels liberating because it’s about realising you don’t have to be weighed down by all the past hurt, trauma and emotional baggage we carry around with us. Once you finally let it go, you’ll feel “10 feet tall”. Selena is choosing to move on and the crucial lyric is, “No, I don’t need permission.”
The dance motif continues in ‘Let Me Get Me’ where again, Selena refuses to wallow in self-pity and won’t allow herself to get herself down. Freedom feels good.
No self-sabotage, no letting my thoughts run / Me and the spiral are done
On calling out toxic people – ‘Kinda Crazy’ & ‘Cut You Off’
Selena takes no prisoners with the former track as she boldly calls out the “super shady” behaviour of someone who’s “kinda crazy and not the good kind.” They’re not only a f***boy, but also a compulsive liar and even try to gaslight her (uh, gross). It’s new for Selena to be so loudly unapologetic, but we’re 100% here for it.
‘Cut You Off’ does exactly what it says on the tin. Selena ruthlessly describes her desire to move on from an ex as – it’s savage af and we love it.
Gotta chop all the extra weight I’ve been carrying for fourteen-hundred-sixty-days
The song also contains the only expletive out of all thirteen tracks: “How could I confuse this shit for love?” Something tells us this is Selena getting the last word. *mic-drop*