Chart-smashing, stream-staggering couple Selena Gomez and The Weeknd have about three times the earth’s population collectively following them on various social media. But the 24-year-old Gomez is looking backwards on her latest solo release — to when she and an unnamed boyfriend were just 17 and carefree. Before she saw a different light. On the single “It Ain’t Me” Norwegian DJ and super-producer Kygo gets a mature but punchy sound down to match Gomez’s introspection/triumph. The title echoes some classic rock jams from Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Dylan, but then the story of pop music and growing up changes in style more than subject.
While Gomez clocked out of her relationship with sometime bad boy Justin Bieber before The Weeknd showed up, the gossip juice and speculation sauce spills all over this release. Even if you’ve moved on, have you really put it all behind you if you’re still thinking about things enough to write about the relationship late at night? There’s no saying the song’s about Bieber — or even that it’s about Gomez; she’s a performer and actress after all. But the backstory sure does help stir up interest. Kygo brings precision and spirit and knows exactly how to use his tools, especially the one called Selena.
