Gomez leans into romance on I Said I Love You First, crafting a deeply personal but divisive album that showcases both her growth and limitations as an artist.
For a star who has faced relentless scrutiny over her relationships, health struggles, and career pivots, Selena Gomez continues to surprise listeners with her evolving musical narratives. Her latest album, I Said I Love You First, marks a new chapter not just in her career but also in her personal life, featuring a full-length collaboration with her fiancé, Benny Blanco. While the album presents a unique blend of sounds and themes, its reception has been somewhat divided.
A Shift in Focus: From Self-Love to Romantic Devotion
Historically, Gomez’s music has often centered around themes of resilience, self-empowerment, and personal growth. Songs like Revival and Lose You to Love Me captured her ability to turn personal heartbreak into universal anthems of renewal. With I Said I Love You First, Gomez pivots from self-reflection to a narrative shaped by her relationship with Blanco. The album’s meta-narrative is clear: it’s an intimate, perhaps overly saccharine, musical documentation of their love story.
This is evident not only in the album’s promotional material, which features the couple embracing, but also in the songwriting process itself. Gomez and Blanco emphasized the ease with which the album came together, describing their experience working on it at home, often in bed. While this intimacy adds an authentic touch, it also raises questions about the album’s overall cohesion and depth.
A Song-by-Song Breakdown
1. I Said I Love You First
A heartfelt intro where Gomez reflects on love and gratitude, setting a deep emotional tone for the album.
2. Younger and Hotter Than Me
A melancholic exploration of insecurity, where Gomez grapples with comparisons in the public eye.
3. Call Me When You Break Up (with Gracie Abrams)
A collab with Gracie Abrams, known for her emotionally driven pop, this track mixes heartbreak with humor in an upbeat anthem.
4. Ojos Tristes (with The Marías)
A dreamy, Latin-inspired track with María Zardoya from The Marías, known for their unique blend of indie and Latin sounds, adding warmth to the album’s sorrow.
5. Don’t Wanna Cry
Gomez reflects on heartache with a track full of emotion and raw vulnerability, showing a deep side of her artistry.
6. Sunset Blvd
An energetic and romantic track with a playful vibe, capturing love through flirtatious lyrics and upbeat rhythm.
7. Cowboy
This sensual track with rapper GloRilla adds intensity to the sultry vibe, featuring bold energy and a confident flow.
8. Bluest Flame
A fun, electric anthem with Charli XCX, known for her experimental pop, bringing a punchy, upbeat sound to the album.
9. How Does It Feel to Be Forgotte
A reflective ballad where Gomez questions the emotional aftermath of being overlooked by an ex, with lush production.
10. Do You Wanna Be Perfect
A quirky interlude that delivers a message of self-love and authenticity, adding lightness to the album.
11. You Said You Were Sorry
Gomez contemplates regret in a smooth, contemplative track that resonates with anyone reflecting on past relationships.
12. I Can’t Get Enough (with J Balvin and Tainy)
This reggaeton-inspired track with J Balvin, a global Latin music icon, and producer Tainy, brings infectious beats to the album.
13. Don’t Take It Personally
A mellow, introspective track that gently explores shifting feelings in a relationship, adding depth to the emotional landscape.
14. Scared of Loving You
The album closes with a vulnerable, soft ballad where Gomez expresses fear of fully opening up in love, leaving a poignant final note.
Critical Reception
Selena Gomez’s I Said I Love You First has drawn mixed reviews. Olivia Horn from Pitchfork praised the album’s emotional depth but noted that the vulnerability might feel overexposed. She wrote, “Blanco’s sure-handed control of the album’s atmosphere elevates the material,” though the personal nature of the project sometimes felt curated.
Alexis Petridis from The Guardian was more critical, questioning the decision to make their relationship a focal point. He said, “Whether that compels you or sends you running in the opposite direction… is a matter of personal taste.” He highlighted the potential risks of publicizing their love, drawing comparisons to past celebrity couples whose relationships ended poorly. However, he acknowledged that fans might appreciate the personal connection, concluding, “If fans are intent on viewing your music as a footnote to your private life, then why not give them what they want?”
Despite these critiques, Blanco’s production and the guest features, like Gracie Abrams and The Marias, were seen as adding depth to the album.
The Risks and Rewards of Publicizing Love Through Music
One of the most striking aspects of I Said I Love You First is its overt romantic framing. The album, in many ways, mirrors classic collaborations between high-profile couples—some of which ended in both commercial success and personal disaster (Sonny and Cher, Nas and Kelis, etc.). Public displays of affection through music can either deepen an artist’s connection with their audience or alienate listeners who may feel excluded from such intimate storytelling.
Gomez, one of the most-followed women on Instagram, understands the power of personal narrative in music. While some fans appreciate the peek into her love life, others may question whether the album prioritizes romance over musical innovation. The potential risk is that I Said I Love You First may be remembered more for its backstory than its actual songs.
Conclusion: A Love Letter That Misses Some Marks
Selena Gomez’s I Said I Love You First is an album filled with affectionate moments, personal anecdotes, and a fair share of musical highs and lows. While it undeniably reflects where Gomez is in her life and career, it also highlights some of the limitations of blending personal relationships with artistry. The album is far from a disaster—some tracks shine with emotional depth and sincerity—but it ultimately feels like a work that prioritizes sentiment over sonic ambition.
For fans of Gomez’s previous work, I Said I Love You First offers glimpses of her lyrical and vocal strengths. However, for those seeking the innovation and depth found in Revival or Rare, this album may not fully deliver. In the end, the project serves as a testament to love’s power—but also to the challenges of translating that love into compelling music.
