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4 out of 5 stars

Selena Gomez, "De Una Vez" [📷 : Interscope]Pop singer Selena Gomez shines on her truly empowering and thoughtful Latin pop single, “De Una Vez.”

Have I been critical of 🎙 Selena Gomez from a musical perspective in the past? Yes – I admit it! Do I regret it? Nah, because it was never personal – Gomez seems like a very nice person.  The criticisms have often revolved around her lack of flashiness artistically and vocally.  On her 2020 studio album, 💿 Rare, Gomez stepped up her game.  It wasn’t a perfect album but well-rounded overall.  On 🎵 “De Una Vez”, a single sung exclusively in Spanish, she delivers a solid, enjoyable performance.  According to Billboard, Gomez, who’s proud of her heritage, asserts, “It felt empowering to sing in Spanish again.” Indeed!

“De Una Vez” (“At Once”) is perfectly suited to Selena Gomez.  It’s a brief number, running just past two-and-a-half minutes. That’s sufficient.  Not particularly flashy, “De Una Vez” is moderately slow in pace and quite chill in its overall sound.  The backdrop, produced by 🎛 Tainy, 🎛 Jota Rosa, 🎛 Albert Hype, and 🎛 NEON16, gives Gomez the perfect canvas to express matters of the heart.  Truly empowering, the best moment of “De Una Vez” is definitely the chorus, where she sings (translated):

“Once and for all, ah-ah-ah
I’m stronger alone, ah-ah-ah
I don’t regret the past
I know the time by your side cut my wings
But now this chest is bulletproof.”

With him out of the picture, Gomez is stronger, even if it hurt her in the past.  She’s come to terms with the fact that she doesn’t need him – she’s strong all by herself.  That’s powerful.


Final Thoughts 💭 

Again, I’ve criticized Selena Gomez in the past.  On “De Una Vez,” I have no glaring criticisms in all honestly.  While this isn’t a game changing Spanish pop number, it’s a short and sweet one with a thoughtful message.  The empowerment, as well as the respectable performance, with cool and colorful production work, make “De Una Vez” a winner in my book. 

4 out of 5 stars


🎙 Selena Gomez • 🎵 “De Una Vez” • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 1.14.21
[📷: Interscope]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.