Stars Dance

After putting her band Selena Gomez & the Scene on indefinite hiatus in 2012, Selena Gomez set out to make her first solo statement. The result, Stars Dance, arrived July 23, 2013 on Hollywood Records. Gomez leaned fully into electronic music, crafting an album that blends EDM and electropop with flashes of dubstep, techno, disco, electro house, and worldbeat. Working with producers like Rock Mafia and the Cataracs through early 2013, she shaped 11 tracks that explore newfound independence, romance, and self-confidence.

Critics were split on Stars Dance. Many praised Gomez's maturing image and stronger vocal delivery, but found the electronic-heavy production relentless. Commercially, it was a clear win. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, moving 97,000 copies in its first week. It also topped charts in Canada, Norway, Mexico, Taiwan, and China. Lead single Come & Get It became Gomez's first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, powered by its pulsing worldbeat groove. Second single Slow Down reached the Top 30 and climbed to number 6 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. Gomez promoted the album with high-profile TV performances and the Stars Dance Tour, which ran through late 2013.[edit]