Words by Kacie Bautista
Selena Gomez is back to give us the pop revival we needed! Gomez collaborates with fiancé and renown producer, Benny Blanco, on her fourth studio album, I Said I Love You First, now available to listen to everywhere. The album might reflect one of her most honest and truest sides of her yet, and we are living for her journey of self-healing.
While it’s been some time since we’ve gotten a new album from Gomez, most people know that she’s stood in the spotlight from a young age. At age ten, she had been on set of the beloved Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place, which gained massive success. Her career following the end of the show continued to skyrocket with the release of her debut studio album, Stars Dance, which included her award-winning single, “Come & Get it.” Since then, she has released her second and third studio albums, Revival and Rare, earning praise for hit singles, “Same Old Love,” “Good for You,” and “Lose You to Love Me.” The pop singer and actor also collaborated with artists throughout her career, creating popular standalone singles like “It Ain’t Me,” with Kygo and “Taki Taki,” featuring Ozuna and Cardi B. In addition to her success as a singer, Gomez has been an executive producer for the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, and has made acting appearances in the 2012 film, Spring Breakers, the 2021 drama Only Murders in the Building, and the 2024 film, Emilia Perez.
Her newest album, I Said I Love You First, mirrors that of a personal diary, where she and her fiancé, Benny Blanco, bring to light all of the ups and downs of their lives. From writing about Selena’s relationship with the industry and how much has changed over the years in the song, “Younger And Hotter Than Me,” to falling in love with open arms in the song, “Sunset Blvd,” the album speaks from the heart — and we’re loving how freely they’re able to speak their minds. In a note about the album on Gomez’s website, it says,
“The album celebrates the pair’s love story, giving fans a unique window into their relationship. This album came together organically as a direct result of the comfort that they both felt when working together creatively, allowing them to produce art that authentically reflects their experiences. it chronicles their entire story – before they met, falling in love, and looking to what the future holds.”
The album perfectly blends soft, heartfelt ballads and dreamy, feel-good pop. Other songs, like “Bluest Flame” or “I Can’t Get Enough” play with electro-dance sounds that provide a new and intriguing shift on the album. Gomez’s vocals are mixed beautifully with the production of the music and fit her singing style well. We hope that the couple continues to make music that reflects their most authentic selves — and inspire us to speak from the heart as well.
Loudspeaker Collective 