Pop Perspective: Selena Gomez’s “Good For You” Reviewed By All Four Idolator Editors

Mike Wass @mikewassmusic | June 22, 2015 1:54 pm

At Idolator, the editors share a passion for high-quality pop. Occasionally, our tastes align. Other times, not so much! So, in the spirit of debate, we’ve developed a recurring feature called Pop Perspective. Basically, all four of us dissect a particularly noteworthy pop event, and give it a rating out of 10.

That way you’re getting a full spectrum of views and we can all vent. (It’s cheaper than therapy!) The latest pop milestone to be dragged under the Idolator microscope is Selena Gomez’s much-hyped new single “Good For You.” Does the A$AP Rocky-assisted anthem succeed in reinventing the 22-year old as an edgy pop diva or fall a little flat? See our thoughts below.

Robbie Daw — 7/10

It’s nice to hear that Selena has been delving into Tinashe’s debut album, perhaps OD-ing on Lana Del Rey’s catalog and studying Queen Leighton Meester’s vocal delivery techniques from Heartstrings. With “Good For You,” the onetime tween idol seems to be wearing her influences on her sleeve, and the song is notable for continuing the retreat from Gomez’s squeaky clean pop past.

Of course, “Naturally” and “Love You Like A Love Song” are stellar tracks from said teen pop heyday, and “Good For You,” a synthy slow jam, doesn’t hold a candle to those two hits. That said, if “The Heart Wants What It Wants” and this one are indicative of Mature Selena’s sound, then so far she appears to be going down a decent path. It’s pretty good stuff for a not-so-obvious summer single.

Bianca Gracie — 7/10

I never thought I would be typing this, but Selena Gomez has the potential to sit comfortably among the alt-R&B kids of today — fka Twigs, The Weeknd, BANKS, Tinashe, etc. My change of heart is all due to her new single “Good For You,” which presents a more confident and sultry version of Selena that shreds away any parts of Disney she had left.

The song is surprisingly naughty but not in an overt manner. The singer uses her whispering vocals (Janet Jackson would be proud) to echo and coo over the tune’s delicate-as-crystal, electronic-based production that sounds nothing like what’s happening in pop today — and gladly so! It is refreshing to see Selena move in a new sonic direction. The one thing the track doesn’t need is A$AP Rocky’s feature. While the rapper does very well with mainstream collaborations, his verse seems tacked on and interrupts the tune’s smooth nature.

Among all of the warm and slightly reductive Song of the Summer contenders, “Good For You” gives it the cold shoulder. Let’s hope Selena continues this insurgent path for her upcoming album!

Carl Williott — 7/10

I am a Selena Gomez novice. My opinion of her and her music can be summed up thusly: “I love ‘Come And Get It’ and she always seems cool and relatable in interviews.” So I have no idea where “Good For You” fits into the Selena Gomez canon, or if there even is a Selena Gomez canon. But it’s such a well-executed reinvention that it’s apparent even to a person who doesn’t know what is being reinvented.

“Good For You” certainly casts a spell with its subdued sexiness. But as a single, it just sort of lies there like a rebooting sex robot. Which may be the point.

Mike Wass — 9/10

The genius of “Good For You” lies in its restraint. It would have been easier to play the shock card a la Miley Cyrus’ molly-popping antics in “We Can’t Stop,” but Selegend stays true to herself while exploring completely new musical territory. The lyrics are sexy, but not overtly so. The 22-year-old exudes newfound confidence, but there’s still a lingering vulnerability that connects this era to her earlier work.

It will be interesting to see how radio and fans respond to Selena’s new sound. With the exception of A$AP Rocky’s rap, “Good For You” works on every level for me. Hit-Boy and Rock Mafia’s production is crisp and innovative, each verse is laced with clever wordplay and the chorus is catchy on a quasi-subliminal level. Pop might have just found its new princess.

AVERAGE SCORE: 7.5/10