October 9, 2015, marked the start of a new era for Selena Gomez. An actress known for her stint on Wizards of Waverly Place and Only Murders in the Building, with starring roles in movies like The Fundamentals of Caring, Emilia Pérez, and Spring Breakers, she also dabbled in a music venture with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was in 2013 when she released her debut solo album, Stars Dance, and 2015 became the turning point with the release of Revival — arguably the album that redefined her music career. Her second studio album (and one of the most significant in her discography), Revival, wasn’t just another pop record people casually enjoyed. It reshaped Gomez’s identity as both an artist and a woman in control of her narrative.
‘Revival’ Remains One of the Defining Pop Albums of the 2010s
Before the release of Revival, Gomez had already established her name in the entertainment industry, being a Disney Channel alum with a loyal fan base. However, 2015 marked a turning point in her musical career, as she released a record that made a powerful statement of emotional honesty and autonomy, emerging from her Disney roots to embrace a new and bolder version of herself as an artist. It is the very album that spawned some of her biggest tracks, like “Kill Em with Kindness,” “Hands to Myself,” “Same Old Love,” and “Good for You.” After Revival, Gomez’s musical journey evolved, with her discography now including 2020s Rare and the 2025 collaborative album I Said I Love You First with her husband, Benny Blanco. Perhaps what made the record a defining feat for her was that it showcased her in a new light — one that was still authentically Selena, albeit a more mature, self-assured, and creatively empowered version of herself. In a 2015 interview, Gomez admitted that before Revival, there were songs of hers that didn’t truly represent who she was. But Revival was different.
“I had to really discover what was going to work for me because there were times in my career where I sang things that just weren’t me and weren’t for me. You can hear it in my voice. You can hear it when it’s inauthentic. This whole record is extremely intimate. I did executive produce it,” she told Time Magazine. “I wanted to know that every single song meant the world to me, whether I wrote it or not. For me, I had to discover what was going to separate me. I know that I’m not the world’s greatest singer, but I do know that I have a unique tone. And I’m an actress—I love being able to translate everything I’m feeling inside through my voice and through the songs.”
The album received both critical and commercial success, forever remembered as Gomez’s true artistic breakthrough. A decade later, Revival stands as a testament to her artistic revolution and fully realized identity. It remains one of the albums that helped define the pop music scene of the 2010s. Of course, it didn’t come without criticism. Revival also received critiques directed at Gomez’s decision to appear more “adult,” shedding the image she had established during her Disney years. But Gomez was nonetheless praised for confidently taking a creative risk. And it takes a lot to stand out in an era of pop music where albums like Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, Taylor Swift’s 1989, Lorde’s Melodrama, Rihanna’s Anti, and so many others were shaping the sound and culture of a generation.
Selena Gomez Reflects on ‘Revival’ 10 Years Later
On Instagram, the pop star celebrated the 10th anniversary of Revival by sharing a carousel of photos capturing a defining chapter of her life. She wrote: “Happy 10 YEARS of my album Revival! The year was 2015, I had bangs and thought I was a rockstar. What a time! Thank you for those who have sang to every song with me and for making that chapter of my life so memorable! Love You.” To commemorate the album’s anniversary, Gomez also shared a link on her Instagram Story directing fans to a special Revival anniversary merch collection and a deluxe vinyl available on her website.
