Selena Gomez comes into her own with album, Rare

Selena Gomez makes her return to music with her third solo studio album. Rare is fun, at times playful, at times uplifting and shows off Gomez's musical growth.

With Rare, Gomez proves that she has mastered the art of making catchy, radio-friendly pop. She plays to her strengths with soft breathy vocals and upbeat tempos. Rare has the confidence of an artist that has been at this for a long time which is true for Gomez. Selena has found her niche and the result is a consistent pop record with replay value.

The album has really strong moments such as the lead single Lose You to Love Me which serves as Gomez's standard break up track of the album, written allegedly about none other than Justin Bieber. This track has gone on to top the charts and become Gomez's most successful single to date. This single acts as the close of a chapter for Gomez. The song however struggles to fit in the context of the album, as it is the only ballad and the placement seems a bit random between more fun tracks. Another stand out song is Vulnerable which features clean production and Gomez's signature soft vocals. The lyrics are also clever and features some of the more deeper lines on the album.

I would tell you all my secrets, wrap your arms around my weakness

- Vulnerable

Fun, Ring and Kinda Crazy are a few of the more playful songs which doesn't take itself too seriously and will compliment any pop playlist quite well. The lowest moment on the album would be Let Me Get Me which features a weaker vocal and tedious instrumental.

Rare only has two features on it and both collaborators enhance their respective tracks. Selena dips her toes slightly in the R&B waters with 6lack collaboration, Crowded Room. The track shows off Gomez's sultry falsetto and the lyrics seems to be inspired somewhat by Cassie's Me&U. Kid Cudi is also included on A Sweeter Place with his signature humming. This track serves as a solid and uplifting ending to the album.

Red lips, french kiss my worries all away

- A Sweeter Place

With about four years in between Revival, Selena's previous album, one would expect musical growth. While vocally and musically Selena seems to have gotten a lot more confident she has yet to become completely personal with her listeners. Gomez went for a more playful approach with this record. Despite having gone through a tumultuous few years Selena Gomez does not really include any of these darker themes in Rare with most of the songs barely scratching the surface. Revival, whilst a lot more inconsistent, did touch on slightly darker subject matter.

Rare shows Selena Gomez coming into her own as a pop artist. It has smooth vocals, great production and catchy instrumentals. While it does lack in subject and lyrical depth it is a pop record which will lift anyone's spirits.