Stars Dance marks Actress/Pop Star Selena Gomez‘s Solo Debut sans the help of her Band The Scene, the eleven track Collection having her pick-up in similar territory to where she left off with excellent 2011 Pop Gem, When the Sun Goes Down. Â
Several Heavyweights lend a hand on Production here and although my impression is that the Tracks just aren’t quite as infectious as her last effort, this Disc artistically has Gomez taking several risks, letting go a couple extra notches as she grows into herself as an Artist.  The influences are transparent on the Album with heavy inflections of Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding and Rihanna apparent; Gomez even sings in a full-on Bajan accent on Dancehall Ditty, Like a Champion – perhaps an Homage of sorts to the latter. Regardless, what the 20-year-old does, she does with flare and she possesses stronger control than ever before over that distinctive Mezzo-Soprano of hers, showing a new side to her range, using her upper register more than before.
Despite the Goulding-esque Titular Track being outshone by some of the grander Tracks on the Album, there are several bright moments not to be missed. First Single Come & Get It needs no introduction, the Stargate-produced Bhangra Banger already a certified Hit, but it is The Cataracs-produced Slow Down, which shines brightest – its Dubstep-Pop sound being v. much where Pop Music is at right this moment. Forget Forever, produced by The Monsters and Strangerz, has a euphoric-melancholy to it which despite being a Song about heartbreak, feels rather liberating – definitely a Contender for third Single. Save the Day, produced by The Suspex, is a cut from the same cloth of the better Tracks on the Disc and sounds as though it could’ve been included on When the Sun Goes Down.
Admittedly, the spoken word-heavy bits on Tracks like B.E.A.T., Write Your Name and Opener, Birthday take a bit of getting used to as I much prefer Gomez actually singing.  And although the focus is more rhythmic here, for contrast it would’ve been refreshing to hear Gomez show her chops on at least one introspective moment here.
Stars Dance is a polished effort, which has Gomez where she should be – her best undoubtedly still ahead of her. Universal Music Canada releases Stars Dance on July 23, 2013.
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