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| Rare (Selena Gomez album) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rare |
| Type | studio |
| Artist | Selena Gomez |
| Released | January 10, 2020 |
| Recorded | 2017–2019 |
| Length | 39:52 |
| Label | Interscope Records, Island Records |
| Producer | Trackstorm, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mattman & Robin, Stargate, Louis Bell, A.C. Mayo |
Rare (Selena Gomez album) is the third solo studio album by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on January 10, 2020, by Interscope Records and Island Records after Gomez's earlier work with Hollywood Records and following her 2015 album Revival (Selena Gomez album). The record marked a return after publicized breaks for health reasons connected to lupus erythematosus and periods of acting on Wizards of Waverly Place and producing for 13 Reasons Why. Featuring pop, dance, and R&B elements, the album was supported by the single "Lose You to Love Me" and accompanied Gomez's collaborations with producers from the contemporary pop scene such as Ian Kirkpatrick and Stargate.
Gomez began work on new material during the late 2010s after concluding promotion for Revival (Selena Gomez album) and her collaborations with DJ Snake and Kygo. Public attention to her health, including treatment related to lupus erythematosus, and her role as executive producer on 13 Reasons Why influenced the album's thematic direction. Negotiations with Interscope Records followed her departure from Hollywood Records, aligning with industry shifts seen at Universal Music Group. Gomez cited artistic influences and personal relationships during interviews with outlets connected to Billboard (magazine), Vogue (magazine), and Rolling Stone (magazine), framing Rare as an exploration of self-worth and recovery in the vein of contemporary pop peers like Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa.
Recording sessions occurred between 2017 and 2019 across studios associated with producers like Ian Kirkpatrick, Stargate, Mattman & Robin, and Louis Bell. Songwriting collaborators included Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Nija Charles, and Amy Allen, who brought influences from work with artists such as Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, and Beyoncé. Production emphasized streamlined pop arrangements, vocal processing associated with modern pop production trends used by Max Martin-influenced teams and the polished programming typical of Ryan Tedder's contemporaries. Sessions involved engineers and mixers who had credits on releases by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd, situating Gomez within the mainstream pop production ecosystem.
Musically, the album blends synth-pop, dance-pop, and contemporary R&B, with touches of electropop reminiscent of releases by Robyn and Charli XCX. Lyrically, it addresses themes of self-acceptance, heartbreak, and empowerment, drawing parallels to comeback narratives by artists such as Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera. Tracks vary from minimalist balladry to upbeat, percussion-driven anthems—evoking the structures used on records by Shawn Mendes and Sia. Vocal delivery alternates between intimate phrasing and chorus-driven hooks, reflecting songwriting approaches shared with collaborators like Julia Michaels and production techniques found on work by Zayn and Halsey.
Rare was announced through social media platforms and promoted via televised appearances and magazine features, including coverage in Vogue (magazine), interviews for Billboard (magazine), and performances on programs associated with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America. Gomez partnered with streaming services and digital retailers tied to Apple Music and Spotify (service), and coordinated release strategies similar to those used by artists on Interscope Records and Republic Records. Promotional singles and lyric videos preceded the album, while Gomez engaged in curated visual aesthetics for covers and artwork, working with stylists and photographers who previously collaborated with Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik on editorial projects.
The lead single "Lose You to Love Me" was released in October 2019 and produced by Trackstorm and Ian Kirkpatrick. It served as Gomez's first number-one as a solo artist on charts monitored by Billboard (magazine), following promotional singles and collaborations with artists such as Marshmello and Selena Gomez & the Scene. Subsequent singles included "Look at Her Now" and promotional tracks that targeted radio formats managed by iHeartRadio and playlists curated by Spotify (service). Live performances and appearances helped promote singles along channels used by contemporaries like Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande.
Critics delivered generally favorable reviews, comparing Rare to recent pop albums by Taylor Swift, Adele, and Lorde in terms of confessional tone and polished production. Reviews in outlets linked to Pitchfork (website), The Guardian (UK newspaper), and Rolling Stone (magazine) highlighted Gomez's vocal restraint and the album's concise sequencing. Some commentators referenced songwriting teams with pedigrees established through work with Justin Bieber and Camila Cabello, noting strengths in singles but mixed responses to album cohesion. Year-end lists curated by publications such as Billboard (magazine) and NME placed Rare among notable pop releases of 2020.
Rare debuted atop several national charts, securing the number-one position on the Billboard 200 and charting highly in markets including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. Sales and streaming figures reported to tracking organizations like Nielsen SoundScan and chart compilers tied to Official Charts Company reflected strong first-week totals comparable to releases by Ariana Grande and BTS. The album's singles also charted on the Billboard Hot 100, contributing to Gomez's catalog milestones alongside past hits such as "Hands to Myself" and collaborations with Zedd and Marshmello.
Category:2020 albums Category:Selena Gomez albums