Rare
| Selena Gomez
Rare
American singer Selena Gomez released her third solo album—Rare—on January 10, 2020, through Interscope Records. Gomez herself was the executive producer for this album, working alongside many notable names such as The Monsters and Strangerz. The album is described by the singer as being a representation of her diary from the last couple of years.
Rare features dance-pop and midtempo pop sounds, taking influence from electronic, R&B, and Latin pop. The themes generally talk about self-empowerment, self-love, self-worth, and self-acceptance. Kid Cudi and 6lack make guest appearances on the album. Read more about Selena Gomez’s new album reviews here!
Critic Reviews
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The Musical Hype
Selena Gomez steps up her game on her sixth studio album, Rare, simultaneously conveying emotion and honesty and dropping pop bops.
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MSN
‘Rare,’ and getting candid about what it’s like dating in the public eye.
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Mmirandalaurenn
The collection features art-imagined graphic streetwear-inspired pieces, with album art and Selena visuals.
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Toofab
"Rare" is already receiving rave reviews from critics and fans on its first day of release.
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Femestella
Selena Gomez's album 'Rare' is a beautiful celebration of self- love.
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Clash
'Rare' is a broad, absorbing pop return, one that places Selena's voice front and centre.
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Brock Press
Some of the songs are catchy, yes, but there’s nothing to be found at the heart of this album. After many long years of artistry, it is disappointing to think that Rare is all Gomez can bring to the table.
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Entertainment Focus
The tracks showcase Gomez at her best as a musician. She doesn’t have the strongest voice but when given a strong melody she really shines.
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United By Pop
Selena Gomez’s new album Rare is her most fearless yet. 'Rare' tells her story of accepting the journey, realising her own self-worth and finally being able to heal.
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Nerds and Beyond
Selena Gomez’s ‘Rare’ is the wake after a rebirth.
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Datebook
Selena Gomez turns trouble into triumph on ‘Rare.’
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Farmers' Harvest
‘Rare’ leaves amused, satisfied reactions. Every song was unique and how her lyrics were different but showed how she felt, making it Gomez’s best and most true-to-herself album.
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Interns
Rare has the substance. From start-to-finish it feels like a proper package, housing similar soundscapes and vocal techniques.
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New University
Gomez reveals herself in each of her songs and owns them all vocally. The entire record tells a story of leaving a toxic relationship, having loved ones turn to strangers and, overall, finding self-love.
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Riff Magazine
Rare cements Selena Gomez’s status as one of pop’s top stars and provides a fresh take on what a blockbuster pop album can be with a little added depth and perspective from which to draw.
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The Review Geek
While the lyrics are a little basic, there’s some personal stuff here and mixed with the catchy vocals, it’s an album that’s sure to have a few of these tracks hit high up the charts this year.
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Knox News
Selena Gomez has never sounded more like her bestie Taylor Swift than she does on her new “Rare,” but Gomez’s catchy songs dig into deeper subtexts than where Swift usually goes – echoes of physical and mental health issues and her time in rehab. And there are also several rather obvious references to her protracted and complicated relationship with Justin Bieber.
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Echo
Selena Gomez’s newest album “Rare” released Jan. 10 is an upbeat, joyful album that will make you want to get out of your seat and dance.
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People
From self-love anthems to calling out exes, Selena Gomez's new album Rare is packed with emotion.
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The Face
With clever flourishes and hip-hop inspired sounds, Gomez’s third studio album is a well-honed artistic revival.
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Herald and Review
Selena Gomez teases unreleased track Boyfriend from Rare sessions.
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ET
Selena Gomez is singing her heart out on her new album, Rare.
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Melodic Magazine
Overall, there is a lot of depth on Rare, whether it be through the lyrics or the melodies. .We experience a lot of feelings and are given many messages to help us as we go through our own journeys in life. In addition, the music on each track was eccentric and creative – from handclapping to electric guitar solos, there were a lot of unique moments! The album’s title definitely serves it justice, as this is not an album that you come across every day; it was well worth the wait.
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UPROXX
Selena Gomez’s ‘Rare’ Is A Dazzling Breakup Album That Attempts To Turn The Page On Justin Bieber.
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Community
Selena Gomez Stuns In Music Video For Album Title Track, “Rare."
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The Times
Selena Gomez: Rare review — tasteful take on catchy pop is a bravura comeback.
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Daily Mail
With the release of the full album Friday, she also dropped a music video for the title track. She serves fairy goddess vibes in the visual accompaniment, set in a colorful dream-like forest.
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Billboard
Rare is a record about what life looks like on the other side of that trauma. Scarred, bruised but ultimately better, this is the Selena Gomez fans have been waiting for.
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Music OMH
Rare is an album that defiantly looks forward and is rooted in positivity.
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ID Lator
Rare goes deeper still. It’s about processing the various traumas (both micro and major) that come along with being an adult. Selena Gomez’s ‘Rare’ Is A Pop Revelation.
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MTV News
Rare details Gomez's personal journey toward clarity and resilience, and no matter where you are on that road, she's got a relatable song for you.
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Entertainment
Selena Gomez's Rare is a danceable lesson in self-love and acceptance.
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Go London
This new LP is a sultry, polished album about love, loss and dating, packed with the sort of catchy lines that remind you of on-form Swift.
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Los Angeles Times
“Rare,” her third and most meaningful solo disc, which addresses both the romantic and health-related matters as well as the overarching experience of being as closely scrutinized.
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All Music
Rare proves that when she has strong songs and the producers get a little weird, she's just enough outside the mainstream to sound fresh. Add in some deeply felt and real emotion like she does here, and it verges on being something special, maybe her best record yet. If it isn't that, it's at least her most interesting one yet, and that's something fans of the homogenized pop scene of the era should celebrate.
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Stereogum
The album consistently alludes to wreckage in Gomez’s past but errs on the breezy side, mostly exploring the freedom and relief of life on the other side of the trauma.
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Teen Vogue
Selena’s album feels like a nod to something like that idea, because the songs on Rare don’t really cover new feelings, though sometimes they introduce new feelings about the old ones. Rare, a competent mainstream album, is a muted club-pop record with the kinds of blurry songs that play during the party scene of a coming-of-age drama as the outsider heroine makes her way through the crowd and the clutter.
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Nylon
Rare doesn't make a strong enough case to want to fully open the door to get there, and Gomez doesn't sound that convinced either.
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Independent
It is an accomplished, coherent record, with moments of ecstasy and others of pathos – but its filler tracks pale in comparison to Gomez’s gold standards.
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Paste Magazine
Rare is most effective when it glistens. The title track flirts with bongos and satin production, yielding a slinking salsa number. “Rare” is the catchy, in-your-face, independence anthem.
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NME
‘Rare’ is that most powerful and liberating of things – the sound of a woman becoming comfortable both on her own.
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Vulture
Rare is almost inarguably Selena Gomez’s best album. There’s very little in the way of filler, and none of the lesser tunes are allotted enough time to drag.
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Consequence Of Sound
A title track that acts as a quiet but impactful self-love anthem, where Gomez realizes her worth through the use of minimal drum kicks and breathy vocals.
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Variety
“Rare” is one of the best pop albums to be released in recent memory, and — as it does for artists ranging from Robyn and Charli XCX to Max Martin’s more adventurous productions — it feels like that term does a discredit to this sophisticated, precisely written and expertly produced music.
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Pitchfork
Selena Gomez’s album is a smooth and confident pop record that delves deep—but not that deep—into heartbreak, resilience, and self-love.
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Paper Magazine
Rare, a clean slate of an album filled with catharsis, clarity and plenty of space to breathe. Sage the room. Shake off the heaviness. It feels so, feels so, feels so good to dance again.
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Rolling Stone
Her third solo album is an act of divine ruthlessness full of dance-y, mid-tempo clarity.
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Refinery 29
Gomez is clearly still searching for herself and her voice. The awareness she’s gathering is still informing what kind of storyteller she will become — consider Rare a first step towards taking the throne she deserves in pop music.
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Slant
Despite glimmers of authenticity throughout the album, it’s hard to discern who Gomez is, musically or otherwise.
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Riot
Selena Gomez’s third album delves into heartbreak, bounce-back and learning to love yourself. A smooth transition for a singer reborn from her personal struggles with mental and physical health issues.
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Entertainment Focus
Selena is bringing some fresh, dynamic, interesting and different to the mix
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Stereoboard
‘Rare’ is a great new beginning.
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The Edge
Selena Gomez reaffirms herself as a capable musician, even if she takes minimal risks in the process.
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North by Northwestern
Rare is a solid album overall and shows great maturity.
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The Pop Break
Rare is a fun listen with songs you want to sing in the shower or dance to. Most of the album is cheerful and relaxed, and reflects her experiences with love and self-worth
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The Charlatan
Rare presents a version of Gomez we’ve all been waiting for. It declares despite the drama, despite the rumours, and despite the challenges, she has more to offer the world and she’s not ready to give up.
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