"Rare" by Selena Gomez is about self-love, acceptance, and empowerment: Her most honest work to date

Photographer: Petra Collins

Selena Gomez: "Rare"

Released: January 10, 2020

Label: Interscope

Genre: Pop/Dance

Producers:

Albin Nedler, Alex Hope, Billboard (Producer), BONN, David Pramik, Dot Da Genius, FINNEAS, Ian Kirkpatrick, Jason Evigan, Johan Lenox, Jon Bellion, Kid Cudi, Mattman & Robin, MIKE DEAN MWA, The Monsters & Strangerz, Ojivolta, Plain Pat, Rami, Sean Douglas, Simon Says & Sir Nolan

Writers:

6LACK, Albin Nedler, Alex Hope, Amy Allen, Bebe Rexha, Billboard (Producer), BONN, Breyan Isaac, Caroline Ailin, Chloe Angelides, David Ciente, David Pramik, Ian Kirkpatrick, Jasmine Thompson, Jason Evigan, Jon Bellion, Jordan K. Johnson, Julia Michaels, Julie Frost, Justin Tranter, Kid Cudi, Leland, lil aaron, Liza Owen, Madison Love, Mark Williams, Mattias Larsson, MNEK, Rami, Raul Cubina, Robert Fredriksson, Robin Fredriksson, Scott Harris, Sean Douglas, Selena Gomez, Simon Says, Simon Wilcox, Sir Nolan, Stefan Johnson and Steph Jones

Five years after her second studio album "Revival," Selena Gomez shines on her return with her most confessional record.

The opener and title track "Rare" is an impactful self-love anthem. When it comes to a lover, the track brings a powerful message to all of us: Nobody is perfect, but we have the right to want the best for ourselves and to feel valued and unique. "I don't have it all, I'm not claiming to / But I know that I'm special (So special), yeah"/ And I'll bet there's somebody else out there/ To tell me I'm rare/ To make me feel rare." It's the first time that the singer talks about this topic so openly. The idea for the song came about four years ago, she said in an interview to "Genius," and for a long time, self-esteem and confidence were battles to be fought.

From here, we know that we are facing a new Selena, a more confident woman. If we go back to "Revival," precisely in the song "Perfect", Selena seems to be very fragile, singing, "Maybe I should be more like her/ I can taste her lipstick, it's like I'm kissing her, too/ And she's perfect." "Rare" dethrones that old woman, who now claims to be "special." It's an ode to empowerment. Undoubtedly, one of the singer's best songs to date. A new version of this track edited by the musician Alexander 23 emphasizes its lyrics, adding emotion.

Photo: BRTHR

After saying goodbye to a lover who does not respect her worth, Gomez cleanses her heart with an electro-pop party on "Dance Again." Selena sings about not wanting to wait for happiness. After everything she's been through (worsening struggles with lupus, a kidney transplant, stays in mental health treatment centers, high-profile break-ups), it "feels so good to dance again." As she sings, "Vulnerable /Ain't easy, believe me, but I go there."

In addition to "Dance Again," the songs "Look At Her Now" and "Let Me Get Me" have similar energy. The first and second single from "Rare" is about becoming a stronger person after a turbulent relationship. "She knows she'll find love (She knows)/ Only if she wants it." Influences of Latin music are present on the second one.

Photo: Selena Gomez Official Instagram

When we reach the fourth song on the album, we have the only ballad of this project and the most personal, emotional, and breaking song on "Rare" and her entire career. "Lose You To Love Me" is a self-love anthem featuring melancholic lyrics about discovering her true self through the complicated process of losing a lover.

In the comment section of the YouTube video for "Lose You To Love Me," Selena revealed that "This song was inspired by many things that have happened in my life since releasing my last album. I want people to feel hope and to know you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself". Hands down for this one.

After the heaviness of "Lose You To Love Me," she's back with "Ring," an elegant and poised one.

But it's in "Vulnerable" that this record triumphs again: Sad, delicate, vulnerable, and honest. Produced by Jon Bellion and The Monsters & Strangerz, they created something sad but disco, and it's so good.

On this track, she's unsure of what their intentions would be if she opened herself up to them. She is, however, okay with letting her vulnerable side be known, being true to herself. "I would tell you all my secrets, wrap your arms around my weakness/ If the only other option's letting go/, I'll stay vulnerable."

We have "People You Know " in the album's middle, dedicated to all ex-friends. Do you know those moments when you discover that you have wasted time with people you don't know so well after all? It's like Selena says: "I still can taste it (Taste it)/ I hate it/ wish I could take it back cause/ we used to be close, but people can go/ from people you know, to people you don't."

The album's first collaboration appears in "Crowded Room" with the American 6LACK. The song is sensual and talks about two people attracted to each other while going through similar situations.

On "Kinda Crazy" and "Fun," she allows herself to experience a little bit of danger. "Cut You Off" might be one of the highlights. If you've been feeling the need to, well, cut someone off, this is the inspiration you need, and she did. "I've been carrying for fourteen-hundred-sixty days/ Gotta, gotta, gotta clean my slate."

Photographer: Petra Collins

We reached the album's end with a gorgeous, melodic, and hopeful moment. Before Rare's release, Selena spent a long time "out in the wild," as she details in "A Sweeter Place." Together with the American rapper Kid Cudi, they sing about wanting to find "a sweeter place" to keep their worries "all away." In an interview with Spotify, the singer spoke about working with Cudi on the track: "I'll never forget my session with Scott—Kid Cudi—because obviously I'm a huge fan… But he definitely took the song that I had and turned it into something unbelievable. It was nothing when I sent him the song".

The Target edition of "Rare" includes Gomez's standalone singles released before the album: "Bad Liar," "Fetish," featuring Gucci Mane, "It Ain't Me" with Kygo, "Back to You," "Wolves" with Marshmello and "Feel Me."​

Selena brings us a beautifully confident return with "Rare," and we're ready for this all-new era.

Favorite Lyrics on the album: Editor's Pick

“I don't have it all, I'm not claiming to, But I know that I’m special (So special), yeah. And I’ll bet there's somebody else out there, to tell me I’m rare, to make me feel rare” (Rare)

“Vulnerable, Ain't easy, believe me, but I go there” (Dance Again)

“I would tell you all my secrets, wrap your arms around my weakness, If the only other option's letting go, I'll stay vulnerable” (Vulnerable)

“How could I confuse that shit for love?” (Cut You Off)

“Having no fear (No fear), Heaven is near (Oh), oh woah, Head is so clear (So clear), A sweeter place, my sweeter place” (A Sweeter Place)