Stars Dance
by Selena Gomez
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 955 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 640 out of 955
  2. Mixed: 86 out of 955
  3. Negative: 229 out of 955
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  1. nathanlinnett
    Jul 11, 2014
    9
    I was pleasantly surprised by this album, upon seeing the packaging and reading the tracklist I assumed it would be a compilation of slow-paced boring ex-Disney star songs. I couldn't have been more wrong. The overall production of the album is of an excellent standard and it is one of the few albums in recent years which I can listen to every track on. Album highlights include 'Birthday',I was pleasantly surprised by this album, upon seeing the packaging and reading the tracklist I assumed it would be a compilation of slow-paced boring ex-Disney star songs. I couldn't have been more wrong. The overall production of the album is of an excellent standard and it is one of the few albums in recent years which I can listen to every track on. Album highlights include 'Birthday', 'Like A Champion', 'B.E.A.T' & 'Nobody Does It Like You'. Album lowlights are the lead single 'Come & Get It' which gets horrifically repetitive after a couple of times, and 'I Like It That Way' in which Gomez seems to refer to her Disney girl state and creates a childish, pre-teen girl song.

    The album still beats other ex-Disney stars efforts such as Miley Cyrus' 'Bangerz' or Demi Lovato's 'Demi' and I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys energy filled pop music.    … Expand
  2. Narunix
    Oct 10, 2015
    9
    Stars Dance, primer ábum en solitario de la exitosa cantante Selena Gómez encierra alguna de sus mayores perlas. Love Will Remember es considerada por muchos la mejar canción del álbum (y la más triste). Además, los dos únicos singles también fueron auténticos bombazos: Slow Down (videoclip rodado en París) y Come & Get It (su videoclip más reproducido hasta la fecha).
  3. edithjacobo
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a very fun Pop, EDM, and electro album. The songs show Selena Gomez as confident, young, and vibrant even if it doesn't showcase so much of her vocals (with the exception of Love Will Remember, Stars Dance, Forget Forever) as we would have liked but it was a solid album with sounds of the time. If you want to feel like you're at a club, need a little confidence boost, or to dance this album inspired by dance beats and Rihanna/Britney Spears, check it out! My faves are Undercover and B.E.AT… Expand
  4. onelove
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    bop after bop! this albums slaps i don’t care what anyone says. hope she goes back to songs like this
  5. musicismylife
    Jul 27, 2013
    8
    "Stars Dance," Selena Gomez's debut solo album, is clearly one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2013. It not only showcases true talent, but experiments with a variety of genres, from electronic to dub step. Gomez, who just recently turned 21 after the release of "Stars Dance," also demonstrates a new approach for the singer to the music business, as it's different from her"Stars Dance," Selena Gomez's debut solo album, is clearly one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2013. It not only showcases true talent, but experiments with a variety of genres, from electronic to dub step. Gomez, who just recently turned 21 after the release of "Stars Dance," also demonstrates a new approach for the singer to the music business, as it's different from her three previous albums that she had done with her band, The Scene ("Kiss & Tell," "A Year Without Rain," and "When the Sun Goes Down").

    Track-by-Track Review:

    1. "Birthday" 8/10; a great way to start off the album
    2. "Slow Down" 9/10; "Slow Down" is an ultra-catchy track with an infectious hook
    3. "Stars Dance" 6/10; has a nice beat, but definitely not the best song on the album
    4. "Like a Champion" 3/10; catchy, but probably the worst song on the album
    5. "Come & Get It" 9/10; probably one of the best songs on the album
    6. "Forget Forever" 8/10; it has a nice beat and some good lyrics to go along with it
    7. "Save the Day" 10/10; definitely the best song on the entire album
    8. "B.E.A.T." 6.5/10; a good song, but nothing too special
    9. "Write Your Name" 8/10; a song that stands out on the album and is indeed very catchy
    10. "Undercover" 9/10; a song that clearly separates itself from the rest of the record
    11. "Love Will Remember" 7/10; a good way to end the album    … Expand
  6. Dragon108
    Jul 29, 2013
    8
    This album is fun, delightful, and enlightening. All music is dance, which blands it out a little nu ti enjoy the songs. If you're taking it on a real serious note then you have to get a hold of yourself. Of course its some pop crap but its enjoyable. There are only a couple of songs with very little amount of meaning but it directs more of the dance culture but its a feel good album. HerThis album is fun, delightful, and enlightening. All music is dance, which blands it out a little nu ti enjoy the songs. If you're taking it on a real serious note then you have to get a hold of yourself. Of course its some pop crap but its enjoyable. There are only a couple of songs with very little amount of meaning but it directs more of the dance culture but its a feel good album. Her voice of course isn't great, and what we are listening to is nothing too are from a scale from 1 10 of inappropriateness for the youngins would be 4 or 5 depending on how you feel for your child's ears. Nothing explicit. No original content, but its for fun. Show some love and lighten up a little. Quality and production is cool. Vocals are below average.… Expand
  7. ListenAll
    Oct 8, 2013
    8
    Selena Gomez' latest is evidently a dance oriented work, with no further intentions, and I have to say that it fills the expectations. The most important thing of this album is something that lacks in others: balance. Plus, the songs are well-sequenced, which gives the album some extra points. Songs are funny, despite the massive use of autotune. You can listen the album from beginning toSelena Gomez' latest is evidently a dance oriented work, with no further intentions, and I have to say that it fills the expectations. The most important thing of this album is something that lacks in others: balance. Plus, the songs are well-sequenced, which gives the album some extra points. Songs are funny, despite the massive use of autotune. You can listen the album from beginning to end easily. "Come and get it", "Save the day" and "Music feels better" (this last one with a slight eighties touch) are catchy, and that's more than you can ask from a Selena Gomez album. The production is also clean, and finally, this maybe is not a great album, miss Gomez vocals are not the best in industry,. but ithis work shows more pros than cons and that's why I'll give this release a positive score.… Expand
  8. JohnnyDF
    Feb 2, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The release of highly anticipated 'Stars Dance' by growing performer Selena Gomez proves to be a well-produced, catchy and nicely delivered piece of teen electro-pop, with several light and fixable flaws.
    Track no. 1 is Birthday', a punky song which does not only suit the singer perfectly, but proves to bear a unique sound accompanied by a banging bass, handclaps and crazy beats, perfect for a confident album opener.
    'Slow Down' follows, with a simple but catchy electro-pop chorus that shows why it was chosen as the second single. Nothing completely new, but still fun to listen, bragging a terrific hook for dancing.
    Next is title track 'Stars Dance', which stands out as an orchestral-dubstep song which captures the listener's ear since the very stringy beginning. One of the best songs in the album, it falls out of the 'title track is terrible' cliché, and lets Gomez showcase her vocal ability without overdoing production.
    'Like a Champion' is a breezy, tribal-like piece of dancehall pop. It barely manages to grasp the album's concept while still briefly departing from loud electro-pop bangs and bursts, quite well may I add.
    Lead single 'Come & Get It' is the album's smash hit, a stand-out on 'Stars Dance'. Following it's previous track's sound, it expands it with Indian background singing and a nice touch of electronic runs. It falls prey, however, to predictability and somewhat floppy lyrics.
    'Forget Forever' is a personal favorite. With nicly controlled vocals, and a refreshing, sing-along chorus, it succeeds in it's purpose. It also lyrically departs the album's previous 'please don't leave me' concept and successfully takes on a 'forget you ever knew my name' punch line.
    'Save The Day' is musically more of the same, however, it's pumping beats and Gomez' immersive vocals lead us onto a fantastic dubstep chorus and latin-like bridge. It shares a strange similarity with track 'Come & Get It' though, which both benefits and harms the singer's presentation.
    'B.E.A.T.' has Gomez' vocals being messed and tampered with for about 3/4 of the song, which is not new, but manages to captivate us with a stuttering b-b-b-beat. Repetitive, yes, cute, yes, ultimately annoying, also.
    As 'Write Your Name' begins, it seems to be taking a break from what we have been hearing, but as it approaches a banging dance-pop chorus we can't help but fall for it's catchy-yet-familiar tune. Smartly produced and with a suprisingly lovely rap verse by Gomez, it proves to be yet another hit-making material.
    'Undercover' is both the nearest to a Guetta-like produced song and the highlight of the album (which is strangely disappointing). It features the album's different-but-the-same electro-pop arrangement in the chorus, but it's definitely a manically dancy song which keeps us waiting for that electronic explosion we've been technically hearing throughout 'Stars Dance', and to be able to do that half an hour into the album, is already a success.
    'Love Will Remember' is the ballad of the album, and based upon the excessively covered relationship the singer had with Canadian artist Justin Bieber. Dramatically soothing, and awkwardly emotional, it's in the top 3 tracks from 'Stars Dance', with Gomez' vocals refreshingly undisturbed (mostly). However, many are likely to not make it this far in the album due to it's constant formula, leaving this love story unheard.

    Two deluxe tracks followed the original release:

    'Nobody Does It Like You' is a fun yet hollow song that barely saves itself from falling into the 'oh, again' category with a good dubstep chorus. It is, though, very similar to 'Slow Down', and since the latter's become a single, this track loses the little potential that surfaced.
    'Music Feels Better' is the thirteenth and final track on 'Stars Dance'. It surpiringly showcases a 90's disco spirit and it's fun, carefree delivery is mainly the reason for a Deluxe purchase of the album.

    Overall, 'Stars Dance' is a fantastically produced, well-delivered record that, whilst falling victim to predictable electro-pop situations, takes Selena Gomez' promising career and pushes it a step forward and away from Disney Queen status. Her new sound and direction suits her well, and fit nicely in her career, as 'Selena Gomez & the Scene' fans awaiting the band's return are sure to find 'Stars Dance' worthy enough to keep them excited.

    Overall score: 8.0 out of 10    … Expand
  9. ReviewsbyFemke
    Feb 27, 2014
    8
    I was quite happy with this album. Stars Dance is better than all of Selena's previous albums. The songs are less childish, which is good, cause the Selenators who used to listen to Kiss & Tell in 2009, have grown, so they need growth in music. I think there's a lot of influence by Britney Spears on this album, which is also good, cause I love Britney. The beats on Stars Dance really makeI was quite happy with this album. Stars Dance is better than all of Selena's previous albums. The songs are less childish, which is good, cause the Selenators who used to listen to Kiss & Tell in 2009, have grown, so they need growth in music. I think there's a lot of influence by Britney Spears on this album, which is also good, cause I love Britney. The beats on Stars Dance really make you wanna dance, so I get the title. I love the fact that Selena put a lot of dubstep on this. Sel experimented with a lot of different genres and I think she did a good thing doing that. Still, she's not the world's greatest singer. Her voice is very breathy, which makes songs like "Come & Get It" fit perfectly to her voice. Other songs, however, like "Nobody Does It Like You" are too high for her. This causes the high notes to sound kind of irritating. I also think the bonus tracks are extremely bad. But, the rest of the album is really good. My personal favorites are its title track, "Stars Dance", "Undercover", "Slow Down" and "Forget Forever".… Expand
  10. IvyCapettine
    Jul 11, 2014
    8
    I found a great dance album, really. 5 music has qualities to be singles. But I think I missed a small part of Selena Gomez. Somewhat lacking identity in some of his songs.
  11. ahmedimran
    Oct 22, 2015
    8
    Genuinely loved the whole album. Come and Get is Selena's best song TO DATE. And the Best song I've heard in my life. The whole album had amazing dance uptemo beats. Save the day,Slow Down,Like a Champion are just amazing. This was probably the best album of 2013 in my opinion. One thing it lacked was that it only had uptempo songs which you can't listen to in every mood songs like theGenuinely loved the whole album. Come and Get is Selena's best song TO DATE. And the Best song I've heard in my life. The whole album had amazing dance uptemo beats. Save the day,Slow Down,Like a Champion are just amazing. This was probably the best album of 2013 in my opinion. One thing it lacked was that it only had uptempo songs which you can't listen to in every mood songs like the title track and Birthday were probably two songs which weren't that great! And i don't think Birthday was a good song to open the album with . That was probably the only flaw. But her new effort Revival STOLE the game!
    Good job Selena!    … Expand
  12. loverxselena
    Jul 27, 2020
    8
    The album isn’t her best work but it has a few gems like love will remember, slow down, and come and get it
  13. moonlite
    Jun 25, 2019
    8
    FULL OF EDM CLASSICs even though she didnt have full control theres many good elements to this album
  14. Ameliapolina
    Nov 12, 2020
    8
    An album I would still listen to because there are some favourable tracks in it.
  15. evermore13
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    Thanks to the strong songs, 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. What's left, then, is a collection of 11 shinily produced pop songs that find Gomez trying on a series of different personalities with her slight-yet-capable vocals.
  16. museanonymous
    Jul 24, 2013
    7
    I have listened to all of Selena Gomez's album, and I think Star Dance is one of her best. Among the songs I liked are Star dance, come & get it and slow down.
  17. NathanCabello
    Dec 17, 2014
    7
    A good album to dance and have fun. But overuse of auto tune on some music and she forgot to focus on the quality of the songs, but is good to hear.
    Highlights: Birthday and Love Will Remember
    Lows: Write Your Name and Stars Dance
  18. MarkParken
    Jul 12, 2019
    7
    "Stars Dance" marks the first solo album of Selena Gomez without her band Selena Gomez & The Scene. This album shows a slightly more mature image of Selena while staying in the continuity of his 3 previous albums. What is unfortunate is that we feel that this album is more teen pop than pop, Selena tries new things without more. I even find that his last album with his band "When The Sun"Stars Dance" marks the first solo album of Selena Gomez without her band Selena Gomez & The Scene. This album shows a slightly more mature image of Selena while staying in the continuity of his 3 previous albums. What is unfortunate is that we feel that this album is more teen pop than pop, Selena tries new things without more. I even find that his last album with his band "When The Sun Goes Down" was better in the production of the album or in the lyrics of the songs. Moreover, even if I like the lead single "Come & Get It" which is striking, it does not look like Selena (song originally intended to Rihanna) or the album, the song is really too different and is a the most pop song of the album than the albums that are for me, of the teen-pop style except "Stars Dance". It's still a good album.… Expand
  19. Serchvaz
    Jun 6, 2020
    7
    It is a good album ,looks like Selena is going to a more serious album,it is not perfect ,it has good lyrics and songs with excellent rhythm
  20. kamisss
    Jan 10, 2020
    7
    The album is filled with a lot of okay songs and just a few stands out. Come and Get It being the best, we also have Undercover and Stars Dance which are way better than Slow Down, they should've been singles.
  21. PEDROMFR
    Mar 30, 2021
    7
    Despite the singles, this is not an impressive album at all, but a fully EDM-pop influnced album with generic lyrics that still can make you dance.
  22. JrAgujaIsAGleek
    Oct 8, 2013
    6
    Her debut album without her band, Selena Gomez and the Band, was released by Selena with a new, sexier, yet 'PG' rated image, which makes sense beause she is still with Disney when this album was released.
    The tracklist of the album were okay for a debut album. The sexy opening song of the album, Birthday, seems to be a more 'PG' rated version of Rihanna's 'Birthday Cake', only the song    Her debut album without her band, Selena Gomez and the Band, was released by Selena with a new, sexier, yet 'PG' rated image, which makes sense beause she is still with Disney when this album was released.
    The tracklist of the album were okay for a debut album. The sexy opening song of the album, Birthday, seems to be a more 'PG' rated version of Rihanna's 'Birthday Cake', only the song is more catchier, more longer and the point of the song is there, it's about a freaking birthday. The closing song, Love Will Remember, is the best song to close this album. Even though it addresses to her ex, Justin Bieber, the electronic feel of the song does not feel emotional at all despite its catchiness.
    There are not much highlights of the album which is disapointing. The highlights were Birthday and B.E.A.T., a sexy song that channels Dev.
    The best highlight of the album was 'Forget Forever', which could have been a better lead single than its Indian music-inspired, Come and Get It.
    Even though it's a great debut album from Selena Gomez, it lacked diversity in its production.    … Expand
  23. khutch
    Oct 29, 2013
    6
    Selena shows us what we are already tired of seeing, nonetheless, Stars Dance sounds so generic that this must be the reason that, even if not entirely, does it work at certain points.
  24. MarkMusic
    Jul 30, 2013
    6
    OK, its obvious no one here knows how to actually review and album. There either way too happy and fan obsessed or just a complete hater. Here's an actual review.
    Let me start by saying Selena has a iffy voice nowhere near Demi but nice and sweet to hear unlike Miley.
    01) Birthday: An awkward song trying to be sexy while still sounding kiddy (3/5). 02) Slow Down: Danceable, but gets    OK, its obvious no one here knows how to actually review and album. There either way too happy and fan obsessed or just a complete hater. Here's an actual review.
    Let me start by saying Selena has a iffy voice nowhere near Demi but nice and sweet to hear unlike Miley.

    01) Birthday: An awkward song trying to be sexy while still sounding kiddy (3/5).
    02) Slow Down: Danceable, but gets bland after about 15 listens (4/5).
    03) Stars Dance: The title track that os both sweet yet heart shopping at the same time. A dubstep influenced song (5/5).
    04) Like A Champion: Influenced by Rihanna this Caribbean definitely gets you moving and catchy with the chorus (4/5).
    05) Come And Get It: Originally belonging to Rihanna, this Bollywood inspired song is both lyrically and production wise perfect (5/5).
    06) Forget Forever: The first song about her relationship with Justin, the song starts off slow and breathy, the moves into a large EDM full on dance hit (5/5).
    07) Save The Day: The Jennifer Lopez song that Selena got. The song is good and danceable but might have been a hit if J.Lo song it (4/5).
    08) B.E.A.T.: A wannabe Dev song that ultimately feels interesting after a couple of listens. The song isn't really original but makes up with the catchy chorus (3.5/5).
    09) Write Your Name: Sweet little song that ultimately ends up being the most forgettable song on the album and is completely understandable (3.2/5).
    10) Undercover: The catchy dance track is sure to get your body moving and have you saying "You don't need no other lover we can keep this under cover" all day everyday (5/5).
    11) Love Will Remember: Thing only ballad on the CD panned by Rock Mafia this beautiful song is amazing but this new version without the voice feels less personal then the original still amazing with the "Lo-o-oo-ooo-ove" in the chorus (5/5).
    Bonas Track:
    12) Nobody Does It Like You: The perfect dance track with beautiful lyrics and a surprising dubstep break down in the chorus (5/5).
    13) Music Feels Better: Younger then you'd think but still a good song to listen to of bored (3.5/5).
    Bonas Track:
    14) I Like It That Way: The Katy Perry-ish song comes off interesting until the chorus comes in turning the song into an overproduced song (2.7/5).
    15) Lover In Me: Just a bit better then the song before, but comes off bland and uninteresting but catchy at the same time (3.6/5)
    Demo Track:
    16) Sad Serenade: This track is not available on the soundtrack or iTunes or Amazon but can be listened to on YouTube. Sad Serenade is a sweet danceable track that could have easily replaced 9, 13-15 (5/5).

    All in all this soundtrack is all over the place from good to okay to bad, better then "Kiss & Tell" and "A Year Without Rain" but not as good as "When The Sun Goes Down". Sugared with autotune that with songs like Stars Dance and Undercover it really doesn't matter. The cover art is beautiful. But this album is little more fun then Demi Lovato's "DEMI" but not as deep. She does write about 4-6 songs. All in All 6.5 out of 10. This still so far sounds like the best pop album of the year. Should you get it? Yes if you're younger then 21 you should enjoy, but of you're older only download "Stars Dance, Come & Get It, Forget Forever, Undercover, Nobody Does It Like You, Love Will Remember, Slow Down, and Sad Serenade" if any others then just get "Save The Day, Champion, Music Feels Better, or B.E.A.T.".    … Expand
  25. itsthecritic
    May 8, 2014
    6
    Birthday, Slow Down, Stars Dance, Come & Get It, B.E.A.T., Love Will Remember, and Music Feels Better were great, but the rest of the music? Like a Champion was annoying, and Forget Forever and Write Your Name were too repetitive. Plus, there's too much AutoTune. I don't mind Ke$ha using it, but Selena Gomez should forget it. If she didn't know of its existence, she could have been a greatBirthday, Slow Down, Stars Dance, Come & Get It, B.E.A.T., Love Will Remember, and Music Feels Better were great, but the rest of the music? Like a Champion was annoying, and Forget Forever and Write Your Name were too repetitive. Plus, there's too much AutoTune. I don't mind Ke$ha using it, but Selena Gomez should forget it. If she didn't know of its existence, she could have been a great singer today.

    Personally, I prefer her "Kiss & Tell" debut album over this.    … Expand
  26. ryandiamandis
    Aug 28, 2014
    6
    It's cool, but it don't deserves a 10, Selena's voice is annoying, but the songs are okay. I think if this album were sung by someone else, it would be better.
  27. TheEmpire
    Jan 25, 2015
    6
    A little bit generic, Stars Dance is a quite good album, except you're gonna get tired of it eventually. Even though Selena sounds more mature on the album, it does not seem to be a good thing, considering it's the probably the worst of all her albums.
  28. Mad-Hatter
    Sep 8, 2015
    6
    Slow Down, Stars Dance, Come & Get It, Undercover and Forget Forever can make a perfect EP. The rest of the songs just don't matter because they're just Selena searching her style, experiencing with urban music (Birthday, B.E.A.T.) ballads (Love Will Remember) reggae (Like A Champion), these styles don't fit with her. Also, I can't believe how an artist like Selena Gomez can make a BIGSlow Down, Stars Dance, Come & Get It, Undercover and Forget Forever can make a perfect EP. The rest of the songs just don't matter because they're just Selena searching her style, experiencing with urban music (Birthday, B.E.A.T.) ballads (Love Will Remember) reggae (Like A Champion), these styles don't fit with her. Also, I can't believe how an artist like Selena Gomez can make a BIG PLAGIARISM like B.E.A.T. is! The song is just a bad copy of Bass Down Low by DEV. Without "I Like It That Way", the deluxe songs are good.… Expand
  29. diegonelli
    Sep 18, 2015
    6
    It's a nice album to dance and enjoy karaoking, but, lyrics are stupid, nothing deep, and the lots of auto-tune she used.. :/ I'll give it a 6 because the music is catchy, and songs like B E A T and Slow Down make me feel great.
  30. Lopesito27
    Jan 23, 2021
    6
    This sounds just the same as the generic When The Sun Goes Down. There's no evolution at all, but the first part is pretty good and in the end, the whole project can be appreciated as an early 2010s time capsule.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2013
39
#39 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Boston Globe
    Jul 30, 2013
    70
    The whirring Stars Dance is a confident but not aggressively blatant move to a more grown-up pop playing field.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard.com
    Jul 24, 2013
    78
    What's left, then, is a collection of 11 shinily produced pop songs that find Gomez trying on a series of different personalities with her slight-yet-capable vocals.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Jul 23, 2013
    63
    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.
    Read full review
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