TRACK BY TRACK: Selena Gomez's 'Rare'

Last week wasn’t just any other week… it was #Rare, and we have queen Selena Gomez to thank for that!

The songstress dropped her highly-anticipated third studio album Rare on Friday and we’ve pretty much been playing it ever since.

Of course, we had to take a few breaks to catch up on sleep, but we’re right back at it! The best part of it all? We are going into 2020 with new music from Miss Gomez that we can bump all year long! In fact, we are so excited we are breaking down all 13 songs on the tracklist. Let’s do this!

1. "Rare"

Selena Gomez is Rare, and she’s making sure we don’t forget it! She starts her album off strong with none other than the album-titled song, “Rare”, which is full of sounds that are funky and fun, intertwined with a sassy tone and a touch of frustration.

The singer is all about self-love as she questions her lover and his lack of display of affection and effort, which she counts as a loss on his end rather than her own.

She boldly professes she is rare and kicks off the 13 -track album with sure confidence in that. Such a great intro to her album!

2. "Dance Again"

“Dance Again” starts off with a dark and mysterious sound that is far from the revival she sings about. The beat turns techno and takes us back to the sounds of Selena Gomez and The Scene in the midst of her Disney days.

Selena tells us, “All the drama’s in remission” following the rough patch in her love life that she has been very vocal about since releasing her first single at the end of last year.

Selena is not letting her past experiences hold her back from opening herself up completely to the dance floor of love. We are huge fans of the message, but much lesser fans of the actual song.

3. "Look At Her Now"

It’s story time, and Selena Gomez is the narrator for this one.

“Look At Her Now” is the second single she surprisingly dropped for her fans last year almost immediately after the first. She tells the story of a first love that ended in heartbreak that slowly turned to healing laid over a busy beat (a little too busy for my liking) and eccentric sounds.

This one has had to grow on me over time since its release, but look at me now: we are liking it a little more every time we listen.

4. "Lose You To Love Me"

Her lead single from Rare (and what an incredible choice), her first number 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts, and her most moving ballad to date, “Lose You To Love Me” is hands-down our album favorite.

The piano pulls us in and keeps us emotionally engaged as Selena shares her experience in a relationship from her perspective, the lessons she took with her, and the closure she found after healing.

This beautiful song shines for its emotional honesty and relatability. One of the strongest songs she's ever released, and one she'll certainly be remembered for.

5. "Ring"

Selena has all the power in “Ring” and she’s not being timid about it.

I love the various sounds coming from this track that give us a hint of mystery and sexiness. At times, the song feels very theatrical, as if it could be from a musical; especially with the added notes from the violin.

“Ring” is different from anything she’s done, from the intricate sound to the girl boss attitude. 

6. "Vulnerable"

“Vulnerable” is full of house vibes that are smooth and soft and complement Selena’s chill, whispery tone.

The song is just upbeat enough, but in a perfectly relaxed and balanced way—in just about the same manner as she is letting go of any promises of emotional security in the name of vulnerability. She shows her bravery, singing, “If the only other option’s letting go / I’ll stay vulnerable,” and she'll lead by example for her millions of fans.

"Vulnerable" is such a treat for us!

7. "People You Know"

This song reflects on one of the worst parts of ending relationships of all kinds: going from lovers (or best friends) to complete strangers.

"People You Know" is electronic and filled with echoes and a mixed escalation of background sounds. The chorus definitely stands out as our favorite part of the song, and really the only part we need.

Still, we’re grateful that Selena touched on this specific experience of loss that often feels so sad for us all, yet rarely gets discussed.

8. "Let Me Get Me"

A smoother, slower “Come and Get It” about reflection and healing at times when it’s often easier to be your own worst enemy.

Selena isn’t letting this moment pass her by and she’s actively choosing self-love in the midst of her troubles.

For me, “Let Me Get Me” is skip-worthy song, or perhaps one you circle back to after solidifying your favorites, but it certainly won’t make the final cut.

9. "Crowded Room" feat. 6lack

Selena’s first feature from Rare is Track 9 with what we think is the perfect collaboration in rising star 6lack.

“Crowded Room” could be compared to “Good for You” solely for its slow, sexy sound and outside collab, but honestly, that wouldn’t be giving this song enough credit.

This is definitely her most R&B song to date, and it surprisingly sounds good on her. Her transition to higher-pitched notes before the chorus (“So won’t you call me in the morning / I think that you should call me in the morning”) and in the second-half of the chorus really elevate the sexual intensity of the song. This track is definitely Top 3!

10. "Kinda Crazy"

“Kinda Crazy” is the middle ground of Rare. Nothing particularly special about this one, but it’s a laidback track and a very easy listen.

The musical intro and that same sound that repeats throughout the song adds flavor and is the most stand-out piece there is if we must mention one. This one isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s forgettable.

11. "Fun"

Selena confesses, “You may not be the one / But you look like fun,” when speaking of the man of interest in this record, but the song sounds like even more fun to us. And hello, the track title speaks for itself!

It’s dance "around in your underwear while you’re cleaning" fun, or "pull the top off the convertible and blast down the highway" fun. Selena’s tossing her innocence to the side as her curiosity peaks, and she’s got no shame in admitting it. Either way, she’s bound to have “Fun”… and so are we as we listen!

12. "Cut You Off"

Savage Selena (this track isn’t marked “explicit” for nothing) is taking control and stepping into the driver seat.

She gifts us with “Cut You Off” as she boldly and very decisively chooses to cut ties with a lover that’s weighed her down (literally, she tells us) for far too long, saying, “And I might as well just tell you while I'm drunk, yeah / The truth is that I think I’ve had enough...”

The 27-year-old wipes her slate clean and steps into a world of liberation. We’re not only obsessed with this wiser, more asseritive Selena, but we’ve literally got this track on repeat, making it our absolute favorite that we hadn’t heard prior to the album’s release. And we just can’t go without mentioning that smooth and extremely unexpected guitar solo toward the end of the song. It is golden.

13. "A Sweeter Place" feat. Kid Cudi

The 13th and final song counts as Selena’s second feature with the beloved Kid Cudi, who shows up exactly as himself in this darker, more twisted track full of deep sounds. It’s pretty much what we imagined when we saw the rapper on the album tracklist.

The two stars sing of a “A Sweeter Place” where all of their troubles are wiped away and they find true happiness. Given that both stars have been vocal in the past about their struggles with mental health, this collab makes all the sense in the world. We love them for sharing their stories, and for sharing this song to wrap up Rare.

And now... back to our scheduled programming. Alexa, shuffle Rare by Selena Gomez.