Revival
by Selena Gomez
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 9, 2015
    83
    On her fifth album Gomez goes for mood-setting, and the result is a gripping batch of sultry pop jams that are more “Netflix and chill,” less “Let’s hit the clurb.”
  2. Rolling Stone
    Oct 15, 2015
    80
    Revival is an audacious name for a 23-year-old singer's second album, but from start to finish, Gomez earns it. This is the sound of a newly empowered pop artist growing into her strengths like never before.
  3. Boston Globe
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    A forthright album of pop songs that make it clear she is ready to be honest and even vulnerable in her music.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Oct 19, 2015
    70
    Song for song, Revival rivals Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion for breakout pop album of the year, but if it similarly falls short of greatness, it's due in large part to a lack of originality.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 15, 2015
    70
    There’s enough growth here to accept the occasional stumble. Revival, like ‘Good For You’, is a damn fine, hook-laden surprise. Selena Gomez has found a voice worth paying serious attention to.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 9, 2015
    70
    Far from a scorched-earth rebranding a la Cyrus’ 2013 raunchfest “Bangerz,” Revival turns out to be surprisingly modest, from its midtempo pacing to its thoughtful introspection.
  8. Spin
    Oct 13, 2015
    60
    The album frequently slips back into forgettable genericism, and its back half is mediocre--but it’s also a strength. At its high points, Revival is marked by this lush, sphinx-like readinessss: as if, after a decade and a half of being nonstop front and center, Gomez has finally figured out what it means to center herself.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 12, 2015
    60
    The most surprising thing about Revival is its understatement, despite the hit-making co-writers, from the softly bubbling beats of the title track and the lust-dream R&B of Good for You to the spooky Ashes to Ashes synths of winning Charli XCX collaboration Same Old Love.
  10. AllMusic
    Oct 9, 2015
    60
    It makes for a solid pop album overall, but it's a little too formulaic and predictable to rate among her best work.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2015
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3082 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,420 out of 3082
  2. Mixed: 112 out of 3082
  3. Negative: 550 out of 3082
  1. luislemos
    Oct 9, 2015
    10
    This album is really amazing. The best songs are "Revival", "Rise", "Hands To Myself", "Good For You", "Me & The Rhythm", "Kill Em WithThis album is really amazing. The best songs are "Revival", "Rise", "Hands To Myself", "Good For You", "Me & The Rhythm", "Kill Em With Kindness" and "Camouflage". Slay Selena!… Full Review »
  2. GuilhermeMeirel
    Oct 9, 2015
    10
    There is pop formula here -- Gomez hires Swedish hitmaker Max Martin for crucial noises at the end of the lively "Hands to Myself," andThere is pop formula here -- Gomez hires Swedish hitmaker Max Martin for crucial noises at the end of the lively "Hands to Myself," and songwriter-with-attitude-for-hire Charli XCX contributed her share of "Same Old Love" from a remote location. But Gomez is appealingly desperate and hungry, and this quality transcends the most familiar-sounding material. The finale, "Rise," contains a gospel chorus, whooping and a spoken-word prayer, a sort of mini-"Man in the Mirror" without quite as much to say.… Full Review »
  3. VitorREVIVAL
    Oct 15, 2015
    10
    Um maravilhoso álbum, maduro, diferente e confiante (qq), Vocais fortes, letras perfeitas. Este é apenas o renascismento de uma grande eUm maravilhoso álbum, maduro, diferente e confiante (qq), Vocais fortes, letras perfeitas. Este é apenas o renascismento de uma grande e talentosa cantora pop.… Full Review »
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