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Discussion: Metacritic: 74 | Revival Review Thread
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 2,712
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Metacritic: 74 | Revival Review Thread
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On her fifth album Gomez goes for mood-setting, and the result is a gripping batch of sultry pop jams that are more “Netflix and chill,” less “Let’s hit the clurb.” Since her 2009 debut Gomez, now 23, hasn’t always come across as a powerhouse singer, so she’s wise to team up with studio pros like Stargate and Rock Mafia, whose glossy, insanely catchy production (a whistled hook here, a cool, pitter-pattering groove there) keeps Revival from becoming a bore. Gomez’s high-profile celebrity—she’s Justin Bieber’s ex and Taylor Swift’s BFF—may be off-putting for aesthetes and music snobs, but they’ll be missing out: Revival is as fresh and forward-thinking as the music of indie darlings Tove Lo and FKA twigs. Grade: B+ Metascore: 83
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She corrects course on “Revival,” venturing into new sonic territory that reveals an affinity for minimalist dance beats and smoldering R&B grooves. As heard on the album’s first single, “Good for You,” a narcotic love song featuring rapper A$AP Rocky, she is more at ease singing these sultry songs rather than the generic electro-pop of her previous efforts. She’s using her voice to fuller effect, too, exploring her lower range and playing up the smokier edges of her speaking voice. Positive. Metascore: 80
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Far from a scorched-earth rebranding a la Cyrus’ 2013 raunchfest “Bangerz,” Revival turns out to be surprisingly modest, from its midtempo pacing to its thoughtful introspection Metascore: 70.
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It makes for a solid pop album overall, but it's a little too formulaic and predictable to rate among her best work. Metascore: 60 Score: 3/5
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The path from child star to sexy emancipation was so firmly stomped into the pop map by Britney, Christina et al that Selena Gomez was following it before she even left Disney, loudly asserting her autonomy for three albums with emo-pop band Selena Gomez & the Scene and one cookie-cutter solo effort, Stars Dance. That leaves her, on this first record outside the Disney stable, free to explore without bluster. The most surprising thing about Revival is its understatement, despite the hit-making co-writers, from the softly bubbling beats of the title track and the lust-dream R&B of Good for You to the spooky Ashes to Ashes synths of winning Charli XCX collaboration Same Old Love. Score: 3/5
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“Revival,” in contrast, seems meticulously crafted for Gomez’s sensibility. She has neither the strongest nor the most memorable voice in pop music, so instead she has smartly surrounded herself with interesting production from Hit-Boy and Rock Mafia. Her relative anonymity as a singer becomes a non-issue when surrounded by strange sonic touches — an approach that Jason Derulo has followed to satisfying results over the past few years. On the scale of pop experimentation, “Revival” isn’t as bonkers as Cyrus’ recent “Dead Petz,” but it’s more interesting than her best friend Taylor Swift’s middle of the road “1989.” Score: 3,5/5 Metascore: 70
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'' The album frequently slips back into forgettable genericism, and its back half is mediocre--but it’s also a strength. At its high points, Revival is marked by this lush, sphinx-like readinessss: as if, after a decade and a half of being nonstop front and center, Gomez has finally figured out what it means to center herself.'' Metascore: 60
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'' Gomez doesn’t have the vocal chops of her Disney compadres and sometime competitors Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, but she makes up for it here by finding a new malleability in her voice. She takes on a punk-soul Charli XCX inflection on "Same Old Love," a highlight cowritten by XCX, and elsewhere builds on the clipped, breathy indie-pop vocals that made lead single "Good For You" a mold-breaking hit this summer. Revival is an audacious name for a 23-year-old singer's second album, but from start to finish, Gomez earns it. This is the sound of a newly empowered pop artist growing into her strengths like never before. Metascore: 80
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'' Whether it’s laser-focused sugar rushes like ‘Kill Em With Kindness’ and ‘Hands To Myself’ (on which Max Martin strikes yet again), the sleepy disco sounds of ‘Me & the Rhythm’ or the effective club cadence found within ‘Survivors’, Gomez succeeds in laying down a winning pop gauntlet. Sure, there’s an inevitable misstep here and there; ‘Camouflage’ is Generic Tear-Jerk Ballad 101 while ‘Body Heat’ is only marginally superior to Jessie J’s similar and hollow ‘Burnin’ Up’ but there’s enough growth here to accept the occasional stumble. Revival, like ‘Good For You’, is a damn fine, hook-laden surprise. Selena Gomez has found a voice worth paying serious attention to. Who saw that coming?'' Metascore: 70
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'' Song for song, Revival rivals Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion for breakout pop album of the year. '' Metascore: 70
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OTHER REVIEWS
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She’s separated herself from her past, bringing her opinions out and prioritized it above anyone else’s. This album is more important for herself, as a body of work its defining herself to the world, the true Selena Gomez. Her childhood was defined by working hard, with the major business decisions made by others, fans who have been watching her grow up have seen her gradually take the creative reins, this is Selena, this is purely her, this is her Revival. Score: 8/10
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The album is frequently dark and ominous, full of torch songs, with just enough stylish electronic dance music synths and upbeat melodies to enliven the mood.
BOTTOM LINE: Something in Selena Gomez's pop formula is nicely soft-spoken and mysterious. Grade: B+
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The transition from micro-managed teen idol to adult pop star is never easy, but Selena Gomez makes the leap with rare confidence and grace on Revival — a winning addition to the canon of reins-taking, independence-declaring female pop albums that can be traced back to Janet Jackson’s Control.
However, the album isn’t all brooding and introspection. Selena clearly wants (long-term) fans to come along on her journey of self-discovery and bridges the gap between Stars Dance and Revival with an array of catchy, upbeat moments like “Hands To Myself,” “Survivors” and “Me & The Rhythm.” It’s an immaculately curated collection that showcases the 23-year-old’s ability to genre-hop and experiment, while staying true to herself. Score: 4/5
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'' Her New Sound Is Both Inspiring & Refreshing '' Positive
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A cooler, groovier, Selena Gomez emerges on 'Revival.'
Revival is generally at its best when Gomez keeps her tone light and bright and her energy positive. On the blithe, throbbing new single Me & the Rhythm, she coos, "I start to feel it now/Feeling like I'm truly free," and urges listeners to "be free with me." At this rate, Gomez is bound to get at least a few skeptics off of Instagram and onto the dance floor. Positive
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Revival is actually pretty darn good. And not I-could-dance-to-this-in-between-tequila-shots good, but I-can-listen-to-this-even-when-I'm-not-drunk good. And there's certainly no greater compliment for a pop star.
No album can escape the court of public opinion, and in this case the ruling is overwhelmingly positive. Even non-Selenators decided to voice their high praise. Things are certainly looking up for Selena. Positive
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And that’s exactly what Revival is—an album full of potential viral beauties. From the sultry, fast-paced banger of “Body Heat” and the already Top 10 jam “Good for You,” to the anthemic girl power “Me & My Girls” and the Stargate-produced, Avril- reminiscent “Sober.”
Gomez has created 14 songs that all try to be sensations in slightly different ways. It may not be what listeners are comfortable with an album sounding like, but it might just be Gomez looking the future, and diving right in. Positive
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Selena Gomez’s second solo venture, Revival, breezes through with 11 nearly impeccable tracks that skips from the 1960s to the 80s to right up to date – all without losing its ear for the dance floor. On the modern tip, Gomez continues her foray into a heady mix of electronic dance music pop, accessorised with rapping from A$AP Rocky and writing credits from Charli XCX.
She showcases her pipes in the piano-accompanied Hands to Myself, before taking on a warmer timbre in the serious-yet-jubilant title track. Lead single Good for You, her biggest hit to date, is a subtle electro tune. But the song’s flow suffers slightly with A$AP Rocky’s bewildering (if trendy) interlude.
Same Old Love starts off with a whimsical 60s feel, before morphing into a punchy bass dance track. The Latin-infused Body Heat is clubtastic, but it’s Survivors that trance-house fans will fall for. Kill Them With Kindness is another approachable dance track, while Sober brings 80s synthesisers to the fore. Revival is the sound of an artist rejuvenated. Score: 4/5
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ABC NEWS
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'' On the whole, this set is a rather interesting and challenging collection. Is it perfect? No. The use of autotune and other such effects on Gomez’s voice are not needed and often serve as distractions. But “Revival” is proof that Gomez should have a very successful career as she crosses over into the more adult-pop landscape. The beautiful piano ballad “Camouflage” and the subtle and mature dance number “Me & The Rhythm” are proof enough that there is something potent beneath the pop flash. On this album, Gomez, who began her career as one of the kids on “Barney & Friends” is growing up with a nuanced sense of style. '' Score: Positive
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 1,782
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Okay, I'd like to help you on this one (if you're not against ofc).
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 6,308
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Can't wait for the reviews
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 544
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The best album of the year in my opinion
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 28,415
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Her best album for sure!
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 2,712
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Originally posted by Overboard
Okay, I'd like to help you on this one (if you're not against ofc).
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Of course i dont want this to be ugly
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 544
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cant wait to see what billboard will say
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 2,381
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Please be over 65 This album deserves it
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Member Since: 11/9/2011
Posts: 17,831
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:danchall: The a;bum deserves high meta score tbh
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 40,803
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This is a great album. I think it will get somewhere between 65-75
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 578
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Not listening until tomorrow, but so pumped and I hope it gets great reviews
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Member Since: 2/8/2014
Posts: 9,232
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First review by Boston Globe
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She corrects course on “Revival,” venturing into new sonic territory that reveals an affinity for minimalist dance beats and smoldering R&B grooves. As heard on the album’s first single, “Good for You,” a narcotic love song featuring rapper A$AP Rocky, she is more at ease singing these sultry songs rather than the generic electro-pop of her previous efforts. She’s using her voice to fuller effect, too, exploring her lower range and playing up the smokier edges of her speaking voice.
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https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/mus...9vN/story.html
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Banned
Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 3,287
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Any chance of a 70?
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Member Since: 1/3/2014
Posts: 2,344
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I am hoping it will be between 65-68
It is a great album
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 28,415
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Originally posted by Coklek92
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Another good one. Yay.
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 1,680
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Member Since: 2/8/2014
Posts: 9,232
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Member Since: 2/20/2012
Posts: 24,225
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That EW reviewer must be on something. S/he compared the album to FKA Twigs.
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 1,680
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 28,415
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Originally posted by Coklek92
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Originally posted by MarquiseDiamond
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Like everything they're saying. And Idolator did song by song review.
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