Selena Gomez is just another of the many Disney-produced stars trying to shed their childhood persona. With Revival, her latest full-length record following a two year musical hiatus, she successfully sheds her Disney image without taking it too far (in other words to Miley Cyrus-like lengths).

Some of the worst tracks featured on the record are singles “Good For You” and “Same Old Love” which are overproduced and seem to be trying too hard to reach mainstream listeners. Specifically, “Good For You” is heavy on auto-tune and vocal tricks that seem to be unnecessary, while “Same Old Love” is hyper-repetitive and doesn’t seem to be the best fit for Gomez’s vocal range.

Admittedly, her voice does not soar to the heights of peers like Ariana Grande or Demi Lovato, but she holds her own on stripped back ballads like “Sober”, and “Camouflage”. Other album highlights include “Me & the Rhythm” and “Hands To Myself” (the latter track having been frequently compared to the later hits of Janet Jackson).

Lyrically, Revival demonstrates a massive improvement from Gomez’s Disney era, a likely result of her taking a leading role in the writing and production of the record. The personal touch certainly pays off, and although not every song is a certified hit, Revival is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, laying firm ground for Gomez’s future in music.