Selena Gomez’s latest album, I Said I Love You First, marks a significant collaboration with her fiancé and producer, Benny Blanco. Released on March 21, 2025, this project intertwines their personal and professional lives, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into their relationship. The album’s creation was notably relaxed, with the couple working from home, which Gomez described as a comfortable and inspiring environment (Pitchfork).
I Said I Love You First is Gomez’s seventh studio album and her first full-length collaboration with Blanco. The album presents a mix of musical styles, reflecting the couple’s combined influences. Tracks like “You Said You Were Sorry” and “How Does it Feel to Be Forgotten” showcase her evolution as an artist with introspective lyrics and minimalist production. My personal favorites are “Ojos Tristes,” which features The Marias and Spanish lyrics, and “Call Me When You Break Up (with Gracie Abrams).” These songs beautifully feature other singers yet still feel unique to Selena. Sofia Marin (11) says, “I like how the album feels like Selena’s diary. I think it is the most authentic music she has released.” I think many listeners feel the same way because of themes of self-reflection and insecurity, such as in the track “Younger and Hotter Than Me.”
The lead single, “Scared of Loving You,” released just before Valentine’s Day, set the tone for the album with its exploration of vulnerability and affection. Gomez has expressed that working with Blanco helped her overcome a creative block and reignite her artistic passion (the Cut).
In a strategic move, Gomez integrated her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, into the album’s promotional efforts. The brand’s “Every Side of You” campaign, launched in late 2024, emphasizes individuality and authenticity, which also resonate with the themes in her album. The brand also marketed the album by selling a mini toiletry bag with the words “I said I loved you first” written on it. Lauren Kam (11) comments, “I noticed the marketing of her album through Rare Beauty on Tiktok. The bag is really cute, and I think it’s smart they did this because her makeup brand is extremely popular.”
I Said I Love You First isn’t a flawless album, but it’s arguably Selena Gomez’s most authentic. Its strength lies in how personal and unpolished it feels. The album may not reach the charts, like much of her earlier work, but it’s clear that the songs resonate with her audience.
