Album Review: Selena Gomez, "Revival"

Best known for her hit Disney Channel show, "Wizards of Waverley Place", a pop music career seemed inevitable for Selena Gomez. She was primed to follow fellow Disney Channel stars Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, both of whom established themselves in the world of pop music after toiling away pandering to children. Cyrus, the most successful (for lack of a better word), has all but thrown out that wig from her Hannah Montanna days, and established herself as a controversial figure, the bad girl of pop, something she clearly relishes. Lovato hasn't seen the career highs Cyrus has seen, but has an undeniable voice and a savvy for working her own struggles and setbacks in life into her music.

But Gomez is a much more questionable figure in the world of pop. She's done empowerment ('Who Says'), and hinted at incorporating her sexuality into her music ('Come & Get It') but ultimately has never established just who she is; As an artist, Gomez has always been molded by her songs, rather than molding the songs to her. Her last album, "Stars Dance", did little to advance her as an artist. Rather, it was a collection of songs that sounded like a pale imitation of Rihanna (which is funny considering many of the songs were offered to Rihanna before they landed in Gomez's catalog).

Since then, Gomez has changed labels. "Revival", the first release since she left Hollywood Records, is a career high for the singer, and finally gives listeners a glimpse of the singers behind the songs.

The album kicks off with the title track, in which Gomez declares a personal and creative rebirth: "It's my time to butterfly" she coos. Never much of a singer, Gomez finds other ways to distinguish herself from the very starry production on the album (hitmakers Stargate, Hit-Boy and Rock Mafia) in a very similar way to sad core Queen Lana Del Rey. 'Good For You', the album's lead single and Gomez's biggest hit to date, is classic Del Rey, but comes off in a way that feels more authentic than other imitators (Halsey, or even 'Wildest Dreams' from Taylor Swift). The slick, almost foreboding production fit perfectly alongside of Gomez's atypically breathy vocals.

The growth and maturity that the singer asserts on the lead single continues throughout the rest of the album, as she genre-hops from song to song. Current single, 'Same Old Love', sees the artist ditching her 'Come & Get It' days and asserting that she deserves better than she's been given. Co-writer and pop's secret MVP Charli XCX's influence is undeniably everywhere over the song, and features her signature quirky electro-pop sound.

Gomez also ventures through ballads ('Camouflage') and 80's inspired grooves ('Me & the Rhythm'). Reportedly, she was inspired by Janet Jackson, and while Gomez is far from the innovator that Jackson is, she hints at a very deep musical complexity that one may have missed if only looking at her releases through Hollywood Records. She still has some growth ahead of her in terms of artistry (some of the songwriting is a little corny and reminiscent of her Disney days), but "Revival" is a very solid pop album, and a great step forward for Gomez's music career.

Grade: B+


***Favorite Tracks: 'Hands to Myself', 'Same Old Love' and 'Sober' ***