RATING: 3.5/5
It's been entertaining to see SelGo grow up and mature, 2013 marks the year that has probably been the most interesting for the former Disney starlet: Kicking off the year with a tribute to her Disney roots in a Wizard's of Waverly Place TV special to the raunchy, party themed "Spring Breakers" indie movie. And now Stars Dance. Packed with uptempo club bangers, it's an album that doesn't quite go as arty and deep as, say, Lady GaGa, but it's not as fluffy as Carly Rae Jepsen or even close friend Demi Lovato. Here's our track by track take.1. "Birthday" sees Gomez channeling that Spring Breakers party girl vibe. Think "Hollaback Girl" with a more industrial, sensual vibe. It's a definite stand out, as the rest of the album is much more electo pop and EDM influenced.
2. "Slow Down" also is influenced by her role in Spring Breakers, but this time by the the dubstep master, Skrillex (who contributed to the soundtrack). This song also flirts with edgier lyrics; as she states "I'm good with mouth to mouth resuscitation". It's a glorious dance track that we hope will be picked up by radio and clubs alike.
3. "Stars Dance" is the slowest song on the album, but in being so, it's her most unusual. Packed with a bit of wub, and ethereal synths, it wouldn't sound out of place on Ellie Goulding's "Halcyon". Its a seductive, dreamy track.
4. "Walk Like a Champion" is a bit of a weird wake up after the drowsy "Stars Dance", as you're greeted by a Jamaican reggae sample. Despite that, it blends well, and turns into a playful romp that recalls an early Rihanna.
5. "Come & Get it" also pulls from more worldly influence, this time from the ornamental tinged streets of Bollywood. Catchy and upbeat, it became her first single to break the Billboard top ten.
6. "Forget Forever" (or otherwise known as the leaked "Rule the World") is another standout; with the EDM influence clear. It's a beautiful, glossy, melancholy dance track.
7. "Save the Day" clearly draws from Latin dance pop, and wouldn't sound out of place in a Jennifer Lopez album. It's a well written dance track, with a solid hook, but it gets lost in between "Forget Forever" and the steamy "BEAT", both of which stand out more than this track.
8. "B.E.A.T" shows off her spunky, sassy side. Like in "Birthday", the song alternates between catchy verses and chanting choruses. But here we see Gomez almost imitate Dev's sultry sing/talking, before taking a trap influence. It's a song that will keep the party going, but a not a song that will immediately grab your attention.
9. "Write Your Name" another EDM influenced song, but lacks the same feeling that "Forget" and "Slow Down" have; it's a dark, edgy dance track, however it's a bit too low key to stand out, and becomes rather forgetable.
10. "Undercover" also feels like it has been done before, maybe it sounds like a B-Side to "Save the Day" with a smart beat, and a Latin dance hook.
11. "Love Will Remember" is written for her ex, Justin Bieber. It's a slowed down dance tune, and ends the standard edition of the album on a low note, but feels genuine enough to stand out.
12. "Nobody Does it Like You" feels like it could have been on her older albums, except for the sensual lyrics and dubstep swings. It's not enough to stand out, but it's solid and consistent with the beat and synths.
13. "Music Feels Better" is the party pop song that likens to Taylor Swift's "22". Another stand out, simply because it doesn't feel like it has been done before.
Fave tracks: "Birthday", "Come & Get It", "Forget Forever", "Music Feels Better".
