Revival far transcends her gaudy previous release, Stars Dance. That wouldn’t matter as much if Miley Cyrus hadn’t set the precedent for the wildest way to shed the skin of a child star, but it still sends a clear message: Selena Gomez makes grown-up music now. And on the defiant, Charli XCX-assisted “Same Old Love” and the piano ballad “Camouflage,” she breaks spades with swearing. “Body Heat” also finds her going where she hasn’t gone before: “Like a diamond, I need a little pressure/so press me down, until I scream.” It’s not as minimal, but it’s just as strong, and a little more fun.

Breath? Gomez is easing into musical maturity easily, and it’s resulting in her most compelling work to date. “Hands to Myself” excels for almost the exact same reasons that “Good for You” does. There are plenty of moments on Revival that head in that direction. She was bona fide musical presence, coming into her own. It seemed that, finally, Selena Gomez wasn’t just a name to hand songs to. It’s a stance that’s reflected in the album artwork: the deluxe edition features her naked and seemingly vulnerable, but she stares down the camera, not to invite, but to challenge. The lyrics appear submissive, yet it’s the most powerful and focused she’s ever been. Other artists tried – Demi Lovato’s clamorous “Cool for the Summer” comes to mind – but Gomez seemed at last to sound like someone, and it was someone arresting. Sexy without trying to shock, poised without posturing, mature without being portentous: “Good for You” was the best surprise to happen to pop music this summer. For a star whose musical presence has always simply been pleasant at best, “Good for You” was alarming, and unbelievably refreshing. With one breath and a drop of sensual, yet menacing synths, Selena Gomez’s lead single “Good for You” seemed to be born out of some sort of immaculate conception.

Selena gomez revival album review