Before discussing the album itself, we must understand the container. The phrase “iTunes Plus AAC” refers to a specific codec (Advanced Audio Coding) sold by Apple between 2007 and the present day (though largely replaced by Apple Music Lossless in 2021).
Here is the technical breakdown:
While 256 kbps sounds lower than the standard 320 kbps MP3, AAC is a mathematically superior algorithm. Studies (and blind listening tests) have shown that a 256 kbps AAC file is transparent—meaning indistinguishable from a CD-quality (16-bit/44.1kHz) WAV file to the human ear.
Why streamers still want it: Even though Apple Music now offers Lossless (ALAC), those files are huge (approx. 30MB per song). The iTunes Plus AAC files for Rare are roughly 8-10MB per track. They offer 99% of the audible quality at 30% of the storage size. For fans who want the Deluxe edition on an iPod Classic, a legacy car stereo, or a portable DAP (Digital Audio Player), this is the perfect balance.
In the streaming era, the concept of “owning” music has become a nostalgic luxury. Yet, for dedicated fans of Selena Gomez—affectionately known as Selenators—the hunt for the highest quality digital file persists. Among trading forums and music collector circles, a specific string of text generates significant buzz: “Selena Gomez Rare (Deluxe) – iTunes Plus AAC.” Selena Gomez Rare -Deluxe- -iTunes Plus AAC M...
If you have stumbled across this search term, you are likely not just looking for any copy of the 2020 album. You are looking for the definitive digital master. But what makes this specific format superior to standard MP3s or even lossless streaming? And how can you legitimately obtain it?
This article dives deep into the technical superiority of iTunes Plus AAC, a track-by-track analysis of the Rare (Deluxe) album, and why this format remains the holy grail for pop music archivists.
Selena Gomez ’s third solo studio album, , reached its ultimate form with the release of the Deluxe Edition on April 9, 2020, via Interscope Records
. This version expanded on the themes of self-love and resilience that defined her 2020 comeback, adding high-demand fan favorites and brand-new tracks. Deluxe Content & Key Tracks Before discussing the album itself, we must understand
The deluxe edition adds four essential tracks to the original 13-song lineup, bringing the total length to approximately 54 minutes:
Released on January 10, 2020, Rare was not just an album; it was a therapeutic manifesto. Following a hiatus caused by mental health struggles and the diagnosis of Lupus, Gomez returned with her most honest work to date.
The Deluxe edition (released digitally later in 2020) doesn't just add throwaway remixes. It adds narrative closure. While the standard edition ends with the triumph of “A Sweeter Place” (feat. Kid Cudi), the Deluxe edition circles back to the pain with acoustic versions and the fan-favorite bonus track, “Boyfriend.”
Technical note on the Deluxe tracklist: The standard iTunes release included 13 tracks. The Deluxe version adds: While 256 kbps sounds lower than the standard
When Selena Gomez’s team mastered Rare, they prepared several versions: one for CD, one for vinyl, one for Spotify (Ogg Vorbis), and one for iTunes (AAC).
The iTunes Plus AAC version of Rare (Deluxe) has a distinct sonic signature. Because AAC handles high frequencies differently than MP3, cymbals and synth pads—which are abundant on tracks like “Ring” and “Vulnerable”—sound crisper.
Audiophile breakdown of specific tracks in AAC: