Upon its release,Stars Dance received generally mixed reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented Gomez's maturing image and the album's content both lyrically and vocally, but criticized the electronic-heavy production style. It marked her first album to debut at number 1 on theBillboard 200. The album sold 97,000 copies domestically in its first week of release. This achievement was surpassed by its successor,Revival (2015), which sold 117,000 units in its first week.Stars Dance became her fourth Top 20 entry in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 14. Elsewhere,Stars Dance topped the charts in Canada, Norway, Mexico, Taiwan and China. By 2017, the album had sold an estimated 410,000 copies in the United States.[1]
The album's lead single, "Come & Get It" featured heavy electronic and worldbeat themes, and became Gomez's first Top 10 entry in the United States, entering the Top 10 in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada, among others. It was also successful on pop radio, reaching number 2 on theMainstream Top 40 chart. The second single, "Slow Down", reached the Top 30 in the United States. It was met with success on pop radio, reaching the Top 10 of the Mainstream Top 40 chart. Gomez promoted the album through a number of high-profile performances, such as the2013Billboard Music Awards. She embarked on theStars Dance Tour (2013) to further promote the release.[2]
Selena Gomez & the Scene's third studio album,When the Sun Goes Down (2011), was musically rooted inelectropop[3] anddance-pop,[4] similar to the group's second album,A Year Without Rain (2010).[5] Although reviews from contemporary music critics were mixed,[6] the album was a commercial success.[7] In January 2012, Gomez announced that she would put her music career on hold to focus on her acting career, and that the band would be taking a hiatus: "my band and I are going our separate ways for a while. This year is all about films and acting and I want my band to play music wherever with whoever. We will be back but, it will be a good while."[8] Despite her earlier statements, Gomez first confirmed in October 2012 that work had begun on an upcoming album,[9] and later said it would be her solo debut album, rather than her band's fourth album.[10][11] Gomez announced in March that the album's lead single would be released the following month, and that the album would follow that Summer.[12] On April 15, Gomez revealed plans of her first world tour, known as theStars Dance Tour.[13][14] Gomez officially confirmed on June 3 that the album would be titledStars Dance,[15] and also revealed the album's track listing and cover art.[16]
On her return to music, Gomez stated "I miss it. I want to be able to write about things I've never talked about before and tell a story with this album, because I've never actually had time to go in and do that."[17] For the album, Gomez made it with production teamThe Cataracs,[18] as well as the NorwegianStargate.[19][20] Gomez also worked withRock Mafia on numerous tracks on the album,[21] having previously worked with them on previous singles with The Scene.[22] ForStars Dance, Gomez attempted to have more creative control over her music, stating "It's definitely the hardest I have ever worked on a record, that's for sure. I wanted to have more creative control over the album's direction."[23] Jason Evigan, who worked with Gomez on the album, said "She's not a little girl anymore. She wants to be like that and be respected like the great pop artists out there [...] And I think she is. I think this album is really gonna blossom her into a new realm of electronic pop dance artist."[24] Prior to the album's release, Gomez announced she would be taking a musical hiatus afterStars Dance, commenting "I've been saying that I worked really hard on this record and I feel like it might be my last one for a while [...] I definitely love acting and I love film and I don't feel like I've done enough of that."[25]
Following the album's announcement, numerous sources began claiming that the majority of the album was written about Gomez's relationship with Canadian singerJustin Bieber.[26] These rumors continued to rise in popularity following the release of "Come & Get It",[27] and prompted Gomez to confirm that the song was not about Bieber.[28][29] She later said, however, that the song "Love Will Remember" is about her relationship with Bieber; an early version thatleaked online just prior to the release of the album included avoicemail at the start of the song by Bieber himself that was removed from the final track.[30][31] She revealed the song was "the most personal track on the record", and added "I think it's a sweet way of releasing it. It's not an aggressive approach to what people are probably expecting. I'm sure he'll love mikey too."[32] The song "Birthday" was the first song recorded for the album.[33] Gomez has listed "Forget Forever" as one of her favorite tracks on the album saying, "It's a really beautiful song. It has meaning behind it and it was a really special time in the studio. I got to be with the writers and just enjoy being in that moment. That was a really fun emotional song for me to sing but then I just kind of wanted to dance after I released it because it felt like I got to release this feeling that I had and it's a beautiful song."[34] She later spoke of "Forget Forever" by stating "It's forgetting all the troubles, about the past, just enjoying everything else."[35] Recording artistJennifer Lopez wanted to record the song "Save the Day" for her 2013 album, but failed to get it from Gomez.[36] "Come & Get It" was initially recorded by Barbadian recording artistRihanna for her sixth studio albumTalk That Talk (2011), however, she decided against using the song.[37]
Musically,Stars Dance is an album rooted stylistically inEDM and pop,[38][39] this later specifically showcased aselectropop[40][41][42] while also containing strong elements ofdubstep,techno,disco andworldbeat.[43][44][45] Jocelyn Vena ofMTV News described the music onStars Dance as "dance-song-heavy" dubstep, that contains "wobbly synths, loopy vocals, fist-pumping beats and crunchybreakdowns".[44] The album contains a highly diverse musical composition, highlighted by Caroline Sullivan ofThe Guardian as "darting efficiently fromEDM toBollywood".[46] The majority of the album contains dubstep breakdowns, requisite stabs of synths, and according to Jim Farber ofNew York Daily News, "features a frisson of sex previously absent from this good-girl singer's work."[47] Jason Evigan said of the album's musical style, "She's got some really cool like ethnic influence, kind of tribally dance drums and stuff like that", stating that it was similar to music byJennifer Lopez.[48] August Brown of theLos Angeles Times calledStars Dance a "sassy" pop-EDM album, noting its composition included "oxygen-sucking"sub-bass,trap snares. Brown noted the influence ofSpring Breakers on the album, saying that Gomez wasn't ready to leave the "neon-splattered emotionalhellscape ofSpring Breakers just yet".[49] He further went on to say: "Stars Dance is exactly the kind of album one makes in 2013 if you want to keep the pop sugar of the Disney tween cabal but mix in some broken glass and a club bathroom nosebleed. Its productions are rooted in today's pop-EDM default mode, but as that stuff goes, 'Slow Down' is pretty capable, and the bhangra-appropriating 'Come & Get It' is guilelessly silly enough to work."[49]
"I made a huge fun dance record that I'm so proud of. I got to [...] work with a bunch of different producers and they're all really fun, pop songs and a littleEllie Goulding-ish, a little island-y feel, It's a really fun pop record."
— Gomez, on the album's composition and style.[50][51]
The album's title track was described by Gomez as being "kind of sensual", while "Like a Champion" is said to feature Jamaican and reggae influences.[33] When talking about the song "Save the Day", Gomez stated "Do you ever have moments where you don't ever want them to end? I've had those moments. It's about saving those moments and never wanting it to go away."[35] The song "Write Your Name" is about the feeling of falling in love.[35] Gomez described B.E.A.T. by saying "The song is cool and the lyrics are great, but it was more, 'I can't wait to perform this song onstage because I love the way I feel when I hear this song.' It's just dope."[33] Gomez later stated that "Undercover" was her favorite song on the album, commenting "I've never had the confidence to do different licks and melody changes. I messed up a lot [while recording] that one."[33] The album's lead single, "Come & Get It", has been described as featuring "Bollywood" influences,[52] as well as tribal music.[53]
On-air personality Peter Dee noted that the song featured various electropop elements.[54] "Slow Down" is noted as featuring various dubstep influences,[55] while the song's lyrics speak of taking a relationship slowly rather than rushing into things.[56] Gomez has listedBritney Spears andJanet Jackson as some of the album's biggest influences,[57] and later citedSkrillex,Taylor Swift, andChristina Aguilera as major influences on the record.[58][59][60] She listed dubstep producerSkrillex as an influence to the album, with him having previously worked on the soundtrack for Gomez's filmSpring Breakers.[61] She later stated "DoingSpring Breakers was really fun, because Skrillex and Cliff Martinez did the soundtrack, and [Skrillex] kind of inspired me with a baby dubstep, because I have a few songs that have that."[62] In an interview withTeen Vogue, Gomez mentioned electropop singer-songwriterEllie Goulding, while she described the sound of the record, stating: "they are all really fun, pop songs-a littleEllie Goulding-ish, a little island-y feel. It's a really fun pop record."[63][64]Jim Farber ofNew York Daily News noted influences of Spears, Jennifer Lopez, andJanet Jackson, although going on to say "Gomez's writer and producers have aped other stars' tricks gamely enough to create a pretty good time. It helps that Gomez boasts a far richer voice than her idols, Britney, J.Lo and Janet."[47]
The album opens with "Birthday", anelectropunk song which contains sparse drums,trap snares and vocal chants[44][46] and has been described by Julia Rubin ofHeadlines and Global News as a "candy-coated, clap-happy club anthem with plenty ofgirl power and sex appeal, much like abubblegum version ofRihanna's 'Cockiness (Love It)'."[65] "Slow Down" is a high-octane,uptempodance-pop andEDM song,[66][67] that has been described as "wobbly club thumper" by Robert Copsey ofDigital Spy.[68] It features adubstep chorus,funk guitars, afour on the floor beat, and a spoken word outro.[66] Lyrically, the song speaks of "slowing down the song" so the party doesn't end.[66][69] "Stars Dance", the album's title track, is a "breathy and sultry" dubstep song,[70][71] which contains anorchestral-dubstep beat.[72] According to Rubin, "Gomez's soft voice takes center stage over sexy synth-beats, icy choruses and wallowing melodies."[65] "Stars Dance" has also received comparisons to the works ofBritney Spears.[70] "Like a Champion" is adancehall song,[73] with influences offunk,reggae, andsoca music,[70][71][74] and features Gomez singing the song in a Bajan accent.[74] The song has received heavy comparisons to the works of Rihanna, with critics noting the song's breezy and carefree vocal delivery.[71][74] "Come & Get It" is a tribalelectropop and popstep song,[75][76] which contains aBhangra beat, sonic drops, and influences ofIndian music.[77][78] Lyrically, the song is about female lover's attempts to rekindle a previously ended romance.[79]
"Forget Forever" is a dance-pop[80][81] andsynthpop[71] song which contains an EDM beat andhouse music breakdowns.[81][82] Lyrically, the song is about a breakup.[82] Sam Lansky ofIdolator said the song is an "electrifying dance-pop banger with a monolithically great chorus and a storming, anthemic beat, plus a big house break."[81] Nate Jones of Popdust called the song "bright and expansive", going onto say that Gomez's vocals "fly over an EDM beat that can't help getting us ready for summer."[82] "Save the Day" is a "thumping"Latin pop and house music song[71] "B.E.A.T." is a "sexy" urban hip-hop song described by Jon O'Brien ofYahoo! Music as "minimal spoken wordelectro".[71] Christina Drill of Popdust said the song was "infectious and definitely racier than usual for Selena (the chorus: 'It's a big bad world but I'm not ashamed / I like the lights in my hand and the beat in my face')".[83] "Write Your Name" has been described as an "exotic" soundingelectronic dance andhouse music song.[70][71][84][85] The song contains a rap verse by Gomez, as well as elements of dubstep.[70] O'Brien of Yahoo! Music said that: "Forget Forever' and 'Write Your Name' both manage to tiptoe into 'hands in the air' territory without succumbing to the usualGuetta-style bombast."[71]
Gomez promoted the album through a number of interviews and televised live performances. She appeared onOn Air with Ryan Seacrest on April 8, 2013, to promote "Come & Get It".[86] She gave her first televised performance of the song at the2013 MTV Movie Awards on April 14, 2013.[87] The appearance saw Gomez in an "all-red, 'earthy'" outfit, and received a generally positive reception.[88] She appeared onDancing with the Stars on April 16 to perform "Come & Get It".[89] On April 18, she performed the song again onThe Ellen Degeneres Show.[90] Gomez donned abindi for these performances, and later came under fire by the Universal Society of Hinduism for her use of the religious symbol.[91][92][93][94] Gomez appeared onThe Late Show with David Letterman on April 25, where she performed "Come & Get It".[95] On April 27, she performed the song yet again at the2013 Radio Disney Music Awards.[96][97] She did not perform the song again until May 19, when she performed at the2013Billboard Music Awards.[98] Days later, she performed "Come & Get It" onThe Graham Norton Show.[99][100]
Gomez appeared at the MuchMusic Headquarters on May 30, where she performed "Slow Down" for the first time. On July 4, Gomez performed both "Come & Get It" and "Slow Down" at theMacy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.[101] Gomez appeared onThis Morning in the United Kingdom to perform "Come & Get It". To coincide with the release ofStars Dance, Gomez performed "Come & Get It", "Slow Down", and "Birthday" onGood Morning America.[102] In September, Gomez appeared onLive! With Kelly and Michael to perform "Birthday".[103] Following the release of "Slow Down", Gomez appeared onThe View to perform the song.[104] She performed the song again onThe Late Show with David Letterman.[105] She performed "Slow Down" onThe X Factor in the United States.[106] Gomez was selected to be the halftime performer during theDallas Cowboys vs.Oakland Raiders game held onThanksgiving.[107] For the show, Gomez performed a medley of "Like a Champion", "Slow Down", and "Come & Get It".[107] The tour was further promoted through her worldwideStars Dance Tour (2013), which visited countries such as the United States and Asia.[108] The tour became making over $36 million at the box office.[109] Originally meant to feature dates in Australia and Japan, the tour was cancelled due to personal issues.[110]
"Come & Get It", was released as the lead single from the album on April 7, 2013. As of July 2013, the song became one of Gomez's most successful singles, peaking at number 6 of the USBillboard Hot 100 and theCanadian Hot 100[111][112] as well as being certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA. The music video premiered onMTV on May 7, 2013[113] and was directed byAnthony Mandler.[114]
"Slow Down", was released as a promomotinal single on June 3, 2013.[115] via an instant digital download with the pre-order of the album on iTunes,[116] and was co-produced byThe Cataracs and David Kuncio. It was later released as the album's official second single on August 13, 2013.[117] It peaked at number 27 on theBillboard Hot 100.[118] The official video was uploaded to YouTube on July 19, 2013.[119]
Stars Dance received mixed reviews frommusic critics. Positive remarks went toward the overall production of the album, as well as its lyrics and Gomez's vocals. Mixed reviews went towards her inability to create her own musical identity; she was compared to singerRihanna on several occasions.[129] AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received anaverage score of 59, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".[130] Tim Sendra fromAllmusic awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five. As he pointed out "Slow Down", "Save the Day" and "Undercover" as highlights, he said "Selena's reliably strong vocals and the variety of sounds, it adds up to be another fine entry in her catalog and just another example of why Selena Gomez is one of the best pop stars making music in 2013."[122] Stephen Unwin fromExpress.co.uk compared the new effort toVanessa Hudgens and said "Both [Gomez and Hudgens] have now turned their attention to themes of a more adult nature, this new album of Selena's being one of them and she's just about pulled it off."[131]
TwoGuardian reviews were issued. The first, observed by Kitty Empire, awarded the album three stars out of five.[124] Conversely, the secondGuardian review, observed by Hermione Hoby, was mixed and awarded it two stars out of five. She clarified that "if she really wants to be considered a grown-up pop star, Selena Gomez is going to have to find some better hit-makers." She compared the work, including "Like a Champion", toRihanna.[132] August Brown from theLos Angeles Times found that the album was "the kind of album one makes in 2013 if you want to keep the pop sugar of the Disney tween cabal but mix in some broken glass and a club bathroom nosebleed. Its productions are rooted in today's pop-EDM default mode [...]"[133] Natalie Palmer fromEntertainmentwise took perspective of other critics and commentators, saying the album should have been praised for "trying something new". She discussed "'Stars Dance' isn't what you would expect from a girl who was once a Disney princess. Many often go for the bubblegum pop or the angry rock chick but the 21-year-old has opted for an edgier genre and a unique sound."[134]
Matthew Horton fromVirgin Media awarded the album two stars. He criticized her "lack of personality" in most songs and felt her vocal abilities on the album "doesn't help". He concluded saying "It's all too identikit, [and] could be anyone with a grasp of average dance-pop".[135] Simon Price fromThe Independent awarded one star out of the five, criticizing the lack of effort saying that "Even given these facts, it's a pop record, which means one killer track would redeem everything. Predictably enough, it never comes."[136] Ron Harris fromThe Huffington Post felt the album did not live up to expectations, citing Gomez as a "vibrant young woman of Disney pedigree [who] simply punched the clock and worked through an already cooked musical plot foisted upon her. Gomez might be an incredibly talented and interesting person with much to offer artistically, but we'll never find out at this rate." He also found the album to have less personality than her previous records with The Scene.[137]
Stars Dance debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, selling 97,000 copies in its first week of release.[138][139][140] This made it Gomez's first album to reach the top of the chart, as well as her highest first sales week for an album, until surpassed by her second releaseRevival, which sold 117,000 its first week.[141][142] The album fell to number eight on the chart during its second week, selling an additional 31,000 copies.[143] These sales were a 68% drop from the previous week's sales.[144] In its third week, the album fell to number thirteen.[145] The album continued to decline on the chart the following week, landing at number eighteen.[146] In its fifth week, the album fell to number twenty-five. The album rose to number twenty-four on the chart following this. Following this rise, the album had a 23% increase in sales, selling 17,213 copies and reaching number twenty-one.[147] Despite this, the album dropped to number thirty-three the following week, selling just over 7,000 copies.Stars Dance spent a total of twenty-five weeks on theBillboard 200, with its last appearance being on the week ending January 25, 2014.
The album debuted at number one on theCanadian Albums Chart, with sales of 16,500 copies in its first week.[148] It was her first number one in the country, and sold more than 5,000 in its first week than her previous effort.[149] On August 27, 2013, the album received a Gold certification from theCRIA, for sales exceeding 40,000.[150]Stars Dance had its first chart entry on theNew Zealand Albums Chart, entering in the top five at number five itself.[151] In the United Kingdom, the album debuted and peaked at number fourteen; it spent a total of four weeks on the chart.[152] It peaked at number nine in Ireland,[153] and spent a total of six weeks on the chart.[154] The record peaked at number eight in Australia.[155] The album was more successful in international territories. In Mexico, the album debuted at number one on theMexican Albums Chart,[156] and later went on to be certified Gold in the country for selling 30,000 copies.[157]Stars Dance reached number two inPortugal, and was certified Platinum in the country.[158] The album peaked at number eight in Brazil, and also received a Platinum certification in the country.[159]
The Japanese digital edition includes the bonus remix track "Come & Get It" (Dave Audé Radio Remix), while the Japanese physical edition replaces the bonus track with "Come & Get It (Jump Smokers Radio Remix)" that also appears on the Japanese deluxe edition.[165][166]
The Japanese deluxe edition also includes a bonus DVD which features the music videos of all singles, and a track by track interview.[166]
Sampling credits
"Like a Champion" samples the composition entitled "Champion" by Buju Banton.
"Come & Get It" samples "Dachee" by Bollywood Sounds.
"Nobody Does It Like You" samples elements of "Hello" by Martin Solveig.
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