Selena Gomez’s Musical Evolution
Five years ago, Selena Gomez discovered her direction. With her third solo studio album, Rare, the acclaimed artist transitioned from a Disney Channel star to a multifaceted music icon. The album featured an alluring dance-pop sound filled with empowering lyrics and catchy midtempo hooks, showcasing her unique vocal style. This record earned Gomez the best reviews of her career and marked her first hit atop the Hot 100 chart with the powerful self-acceptance ballad, “Lose You to Love Me,” allowing her to fully realize her pop star ambition.
Branching Out Creatively
After Rare, Gomez ventured into various successful projects, including the hit television series Only Murders in the Building, her cooking show Selena + Chef, notable collaborations like Blackpink’s “Ice Cream” and a remix of Rema’s “Calm Down,” as well as a supporting role in the Oscar-winning film Emilia Pérez. These endeavors have clearly kept Gomez occupied, leading to limited solo music releases, while fans awaited her next full-length album.
Introducing I Said I Love You First
The long-anticipated follow-up, I Said I Love You First, is both a continuation of her journey and a new chapter. This album is a collaboration with Benny Blanco, her longtime partner and fiancé, who is known for his significant influence in pop music over the last fifteen years. While other producers contributed, this album reflects a deep emotional partnership, evident in how Blanco’s production complements Gomez’s vocal expression. The album artwork, showing Gomez and Blanco peering through a keyhole, symbolizes the intimate nature of this release rather than a grand spectacle.
A Return to the Spotlight
Fans of Rare will find plenty to enjoy in this album. Gomez, a seasoned pop artist, expertly navigates her vocal abilities, infusing her lines with emotional depth. Whether reminiscing about past relationships or celebrating her love with Blanco, she showcases her talent as an artist capable of adapting to various moments. From upbeat dance tracks to tender acoustic pieces, Gomez presents their shared love story on I Said I Love You First in an engaging and relatable way, adding yet another meaningful title to her discography.
Album Highlights
Curious about the standout tracks from Gomez and Blanco’s collaboration? Here’s a preliminary list ranking the songs from I Said I Love You First.
Track Insights
One notable track, “Do You Wanna Be Perfect,” serves as a quick interlude reinforcing Gomez’s message of self-acceptance, while the album opens with the heartfelt “I Said I Love You First,” a spoken-word expression of gratitude towards her circle. Other tracks like “Don’t Take It Personally” and “Younger and Hotter Than Me” explore themes of growing up and self-reflection, showcasing Gomez’s lyrical ability paired with Blanco’s engaging production.
