Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's 'I Said I Love You First' Review: A Charming Yet Unfocused Album

Explore Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's collaborative project 'I Said I Love You First', a charming album that struggles with clarity and conviction.

A Start Full of Potential

The collaborative album by Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez, titled 'I Said I Love You First,' opens with a poignant voice recording from Gomez on her final day of filming Wizards of Waverly Place. In this heartfelt moment, she expresses her desire to make her former castmates proud. Following this emotional intro, the album launches into the upbeat track 'Younger And Hotter Than Me.' Here, Gomez takes a refreshingly candid swipe at the music industry’s tendency to label female pop stars as disposable:

“All of the girls at this party / Are younger and hotter than me / And I hate what I wore / But I hate myself more.”

This opening certainly showcases her vulnerability, creating high expectations for the rest of the album, which, unfortunately, it often fails to meet.

A Narrative of Relationships

The album progresses with a loose narrative, touching on themes of broken relationships before leading to the couple's discovery of one another.

• The track 'Call Me When You Break Up,' featuring Gracie Abrams, radiates the fun that comes with moving on from a bad past.
• 'Sunset Blvd' paints a cinematic picture of a first date.
• Latin pop takes center stage with 'I Can’t Get Enough,' featuring Tainy and J Balvin, which stands out as one of the album's most confident tracks.

Stripped-Back Moments Shine

The album truly shines during its stripped-back moments. The simple production of 'How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten' creates an intimate space for Gomez, allowing her to unleash a sharp diss track cloaked in her unique whisper-pop vocal style. These direct moments evoke a palpable chemistry between the duo, which is refreshing.

However, there’s an underlying concern; it seems as if Blanco just flipped through his little black book of producer and pop star acquaintances instead of honing a specific sonic identity for this project.

• 'Don’t Wanna Cry' gets a dose of Ed Banger disco magic thanks to SebastiAn.
• The track 'Bluest Flame' features distorted vocals and deep bass, courtesy of Dylan Brady and Charli XCX.

These moments bring to light a critical question: what is the actual sound of this collaboration?

A Lack of Cohesiveness

While each track is enjoyable on its own, the album struggles to find a singular voice. This lack of coherence is disappointing, especially considering Blanco's history of producing iconic pop hits. Instead of providing an authentic glimpse into their relationship—something the album cover seems to promise—'I Said I Love You First' maintains a noticeable distance between the artists and the listener, leaving one feeling slightly empty by the end.

Details of the Album

• Record label: SMG Music / Friends Keep Secrets / Interscope Records
• Release date: March 21, 2025

In conclusion, while 'I Said I Love You First' has its moments of charm, it ultimately leaves listeners wanting more in terms of clarity and connection. Did you find the musical journey satisfying, or did it leave you wanting?

• What is the collaboration about?
  The album explores themes of love and relationships, featuring both artists' perspectives.
• Who contributed to the album?
  Gracie Abrams, Tainy, J Balvin, and Charli XCX are notable collaborators.
• When was the album released?
  The album was released on March 21, 2025.
• What are the standout tracks?
  'Younger And Hotter Than Me,' 'I Can’t Get Enough,' and 'How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten' are particularly noteworthy.
• Is the album cohesive?
  While enjoyable, the album lacks a singular sound and can feel unfocused.

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