Disney star Selena Gomez has released three albums in the last three years with her all male band under the name Selena Gomez & The Scene. The June 28th release of When the Sun Goes Down marks the group’s best first week sales and a number four debut on the Billboard Top 200. The album, preceded by top forty hit “Who Says” and current second single “Love You Like A Love Song”, is an effort that strictly sticks to the pop and dance genres, but showcases some of the artist’s best vocals and songwriting. While many usually do not give Disney stars any credibility, this album deserves a listen or two.
The new project begins with second single, “Love You Like A Love Song”, a track that has to be some of the group’s best work. The song is a simple pop infused love confession that contains one addicting chorus that I cannot get out of my head. The vocals here are sweet and innocent, they prove that the artist is serious about the work that she is doing and talented enough to shut her critics up. “Bang Bang Bang” was released as a promotional single to generate buzz prior to the album’s release and it stirred up some controversy due to the fact that many interpreted it as a diss towards ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas. The song itself is just decent. The sound is something different, more of a synth-pop experiment, but it does not complement Gomez at all. The concept is nice, but the track is nowhere near exceptional. When the first single, “Who Says”, comes on, a feel good, carefree feeling will surround the listener as lyrics of self-esteem and courage begin to play out. Many artists released songs of empowerment and strength in 2011, but many fell flat. Gomez and her band created a song that works in almost every way. The track sets a great example for her younger audience while being modern enough to attract a greater fan base. The pace and beats get turned down for “We Own the Night”, a track that features the guest vocals of UK pop sensation Pixie Lott. The song is an average piece of work, there’s nothing negative to say about it. I do commend the vocals that are heard on the track, I see them as evidence to the amount talent the artist really has. It is a great, simple performance that shines during the chorus. The album continues with “Hit the Lights”, a song that describes the fear one faces when confronting the one that they truly love. The track would sound perfect in a club, a genre that the artist really has not ventured into before, but it works. There are some lines that may have a double meaning about sex and maturity, topics I do not have a problem with, but some may view them as inappropriate. “Whiplash”, which was co-penned by Britney Spears, is a song that does not really do anything great for the album; I think it should have stayed on the cutting room floor. I feel that Gomez is trying to do her best Spears impersonation even though she has more talent. The song just drags on and on without anything amazing happening, it just is an ordinary pop song about boys and love.
The title track, “When the Sun Goes Down”, is a song mainly about having a fun night out on the town, a topic that is nothing unique in the music industry, but Gomez gives the material a nice, innocent touch that sounds appropriate even for her young audience. The chorus is fast paced as the artist maneuvers through lyrics very impressively which makes it the best part of the track. On “My Dilemma”, Gomez is torn between hating and loving the man that is in her life. Instead of creating a soppy, heartbreak track, the group added an uptempo, dance beat that will make the listener want to get on their feet. The vocals sound very grown up and I feel that it is one of the artist’s best performances. The song deals with a situation many people find themselves in, and I am thankful for its inclusion. With a background beat that is reminiscent of the 80s or 90s, “That’s More Like It” shows the artist commanding her boyfriend to do what she wants with vocals that come off like Kelly Clarkson. Though the vocals are impressive, the song itself is nothing special or good. The finished product feels like it was done by an amateur, which should not happen when you have two albums under your belt already. With references to her home state of Texas, Gomez is trying to catch the man that does women wrong in “Outlaw”. The verses are great in this track, some nice songwriting, but the chorus kind of falls flat. The song is still very enjoyable; however, I felt that it could have been amazing if more time was spent on it. It is a pop song done well, what more could you want? The album finishes with “Middle of Nowhere”, another track that could almost be considered a ballad in some ways. Gomez tells a story of the consequences she now faces after giving her heart to the one she loved, a big mistake on her part. The song is sad, but extremely catchy, one that does showcase great vocals and production; a perfect way to end an album on a high, positive note. The standard edition of the album contains “Dices”, the Spanish version of “Who Says”, as the twelfth track, but it was not included in this review.
When the Sun Goes Down is an album that shows Selena Gomez & The Scene getting better and better after every release. Gomez takes the role of the lead singer and it is nice to see her mature without growing up too fast like many of the girls that have been in the same position as her. The album is composed mainly of uptempo, pop tracks that could be blasted on the radio or danced to at a party, some characteristics that you want to find in any pop effort. The vocals present are innocent, but still contain a strong punch that should be taken seriously. For great production, vocals, and some killer songs, the album receives an 86%.
Tracks to Hear: “Love You Like A Love Song”, “Outlaw”, and “Middle of Nowhere”
Selena Gomez - Middle Of Nowhere
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