If you are looking for an album that is the embodiment of feeling a breeze run through your hair while walking on the sidewalk with nothing but thoughts in your mind, check out Selena Gomez’s latest album release “I Said I Love You First.”
The double threat, actress and singer, Selena Gomez released a new full-length album March 21, after a five-year hiatus of only releasing individual singles. This is her first collaborative studio album and it is alongside Producer Benny Blanco, who is also her fiancée. The project consists of 14 songs and a feature from Gracie Abrams and The Marias.
Gomez had her start in the industry in small acting projects, after auditioning with self recorded tapes all the way from Grand Prairie, Texas. The first major turning point in her life was landing the role of Alex Russo in the hit Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place, as well as having the opportunity to sing the introduction song. Once recognized in the film industry, she was seen as an equal to Disney’s reigning star Miley Cyrus. Her career continued to skyrocket and with that came certain perks, like a recording deal with Hollywood records. She had her official release as a singer in 2008 with “Selena Gomez and The Scene” before heading out solo in July 2013. Since then, she has become a household name in music and film.
In the latest album, the main genres featured are pop and latin pop followed by melancholic harmonies. Blanco had a major influence on her writing, as it was always unintentional. Gomez would be speaking and Blanco would jot down her words to later embed in their work.
Track one, “I Said I Love You First,” is an audio recording pulled from a video of her thanking co-stars and crew from her time in Wizards of Waverly Place and how thankful she is for their presence and help especially when starting at such a young age. This foreshadows the heartwarming and intimate moments, letting her fans and others know this is the opportunity to get to know her on a deeper level.
‘Younger And Hotter Than Me’ is the track that will definitely pull at your heart. ‘Is she younger and hotter than me?’ This short lyric shows a thought that will always stay with people forever in the back of their minds. This song overall carries such a heavy message of what are some internal battles individuals face with love and it’s a topic that I can relate to and know others who can as well. This song was kept short and sweet, ending with a time of 3:08 minutes.
Reintroducing a hit, “Ojos Tristes,” originally sung in Spanish by Jeannette, is sampled by Selena and The Marias. The song has soared the charts debuting #25 on Today’s Top Hits and became a replayed favorite on TikTok. The influence of Gomez’s prominent Mexican heritage had a strong force when it came to laying down brainstorms for lyrics. She kept the original soul of the song while creating the longing feeling that was left behind in the lyrics.
To wrap it up, the real star surprise of the album, which was received well by fans was ‘Call Me When You Break Up (with Gracie Abrams).’ Fans question who this song is really about, the upbeat style and collaboration with Abrams made it an instant hit but it feels out of place with the rest of the content. With its catchy lyrics, it uplifts the mellow sentiment on the album.
Fans can’t help but wonder if this album provides answers to Gomez’s past relationship with Justin Bieber. This past fling has always been in the tabloids for any hint or sign that it isn’t over with them. However, she is now engaged to Blanco and music can have many interpretations. This content seems to reflect a more mature Selena and shows her willing to let go of her past. The album provides a lot of closure and an opening for the new path that she will be taking in her music career alongside her inspiration and new muse Benny.
