1. Birthday - Trust me, you might hate this song at first, but it's actually kind of infectious in a way that shouldn't work at all. The strains of the bass and contrasting beats and synths make for a dance-floor banger that sounds like it should've come from the soundtrack of Gomez's film Spring Breakers. Gomez's refrain "Tell them that it's my birthday/When I party like that" is instant earworm, and the song takes a few listens, but it's an interesting start to the album and a clear indication of the direction Gomez has taken with Stars Dance.
2. Slow Down - The party continues with this next song, released as a promo single when the album went for pre-sale on iTunes weeks ago. The beat is perhaps a bit more driving and urgent than the opening track, but the dubstep influences and carefree lyrics are still intact. This sounds like your run-of-the-mill "hit the dance floor" track, but it's a good time, and continues the fun opening of this album.
3. Stars Dance - Within seconds, this sounds nothing like the first two tracks. This song is a midtempo dub step piece that doesn't really progress anywhere. Gomez's breathy vocals create an almost etheral vibe, but it's a piece that allows for a simple head nod, and hits the brakes on the momentum created by the beginning of the album. The song, while not an album highlight, is not served any favors being place in the front of the track list.
4. Like a Champion - The dance vibe is back with an island-type song. Gomez even has an island-y
tone to her voice. The song is okay, not progressing anywhere and features Gomez advising listeners to "walk like a champion, talk like a champion." It sounds like a less dance-y Rihanna song, but it's ultimately pretty harmless, but not too memorable.
5. Come & Get It - The lead single from the album is pretty effective here as it establishes an even middle ground between the fast, upbeat songs like "Slow Down" and the slower ones like "Stars Dance." It's a pretty good combo of both, pulling the best elements of each. It is a little confusing to come from an island-inspired piece into this piece which has some Indian elements. Gomez is certainly looking to appear cultured. She's succeeding...kind of.6. Forget Forever - A straightforward dance track, nothing too elaborate, but that's not exactly awful (don't put words in my mouth). It's pretty simple after building up to a big drop during the chorus with just some light synths and Gomez repeating "forget forever" (you know, just stop remembering it, right now). The more exciting part is the bridge where Gomez is belting out "Our love was made to rule the world." That should've been the chorus. Just throwing that out there. Serviceable track, but missed potential for a real hit.
7. Save the Day - This one's interesting. It's a pretty midtempo song but it's got some rocking dubstep influences there. It definitely gets the feet moving, and it's a pretty simple song overall. Although the lyrics are a bit shotty ("When the night starts slipping away, save the day"?), I'm here for the chorus breakdown which is all over the place but ends up being a lot of fun. It's not a song that immediately screams dance floor jam, but you're moving before you realize that this song is actually pretty fun, even if Gomez plays it mostly safe.
8. B.E.A.T. - I'm just confused. Gomez is trying her hand at rapping, I guess? It's not too awful. What's awful here are the questionable lyrics ("When I do this, you do that"...um, what exactly am I doing, Selener?). It's got a good beat, but it's pretty boring overall. And can someone explain why the title makes it appear like B.E.A.T. is going to be an acronym? Because she says the word "beat" alot in this song, but never in an acronym form. There's an interesting minimal breakdown before the final chorus, but it's not enough to save the song.
9. Write Your Name - Hmm...this one is kind of slow, but it's got (surprise surprise) dubstep influences. It's by no means a club hit, but it's a fun little ditty. The chorus picks up. The lyrics are repetitive and, as going with the rest of the album, the songs never really progress anywhere. I like this one better than the previous track, if that's saying something. But it's overall just an okay track.
10. Undercover - I'm just gonna say that I don't really mind this one that much. Maybe it's the driving beat that builds to a grand chorus. Maybe it's the dark undertones. But this one isn't too bad. Of course, saying that this isn't a bad Selena Gomez song is nothing when compared to some other young female artists, if we're being frank.
11. Love Will Remember - This song has gotten a lot of pre-release buzz because of a supposed cameo by Justin Bieber (lost on this listener's ears). It's a midtempo ballad, I guess? Gomez doesn't have any straightforward ballads on this album, but this is the closest one. It's really boring and sounds like she's trying to stuff a lot into just the one song. Maybe it's because I'm not even anywhere close to interested in her relationship with Biebz, but maybe this one will strike a chord with teenagers who actually care.
12. Nobody Does It Like You - This is the first of two bonus tracks, and it makes me angry. The beat is sick, I must admit. But Gomez's vocals are breathy and just "blah." If a strong vocalist came here and took this song, it would've been an automatic hit, but in Gomez's hands, it's no wonder it's a bonus track. When she's got a great dubstep breakdown (which sounds eerily like Bieber's "As Long As You Love Me"), she only supplies breathy vocals that do not work. A missed opportunity.
13. Music Feels Better - It's interesting that I actually think this is one of the most complete and best songs on the album. Gomez's vocals are fine here, and the chorus is fun (think a dubstep version of Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Good Time"). The beat keeps moving and Gomez ditches the breathy vocals. Toward the end, it gets a little slow, but it jumps back to the beat. Surprisingly, I think this didn't need to be a bonus track, it should've been in the original tracklist.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed in the album. As I said earlier, I've always seen Gomez as the weakest of Disney's successful pop stars, and although she makes a turn toward EDM here, her vocals can't match the production of the songs. I actually enjoyed her better when she was with "The Scene". I don't see her grabbing many other radio hits beyond "Come & Get It," besides "Slow Down," which could be big. But I wouldn't waste time on this album.
Standout tracks: Birthday, Slow Down, Come & Get It, Undercover, Music Feels Better
Evan
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