Demi Lovato, Dancing with the Devil… | Album Review 💿

Demi Lovato delivers an authentic, personal, and incredibly intriguing pop album with Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over.

Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Demi Lovato has finally returned! After some well documented rough times, which they’d likely openly share, their lengthily titled, seventh studio album, 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over has arrived.  Given the trials and tribulations they’ve experienced, what better way than sharing their story with the world through their music?  The results are positive all in all, with plenty to heart about this LP.

“Anyone”

“I tried to talk to my piano / I tried to talk to my guitar / Talk to my imagination / Confided into alcohol…” ✅ 🎵 “Anyone” is a powerful, honest, incredibly vulnerable promo single.  Keeping things simple from a musical perspective, Lovato is accompanied only by piano.  This stripped sound is perfect for such a personal song, putting more weight on the vocal and lyrics.  Vocally, Demi is as potent as ever.  Their range and their power are nothing short of awesome, as they exhibit spirit, soulfulness, and channels a cry for help musically. The other selling point: the lyrics.  Apparently, they searched everywhere for help – music, alcohol, God, you name it, feeling all alone. Ultimately, “Anyone” is an incredibly moving and meaningful way to commence Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over. It truly sets the tone.

✅ 🎵 “Dancing with the Devil” continues the personal start to the album.  Lovato does what they do best – sings their face off.  They co-wrote the co-title track with 🎼✍ Bianca Atterberry, 🎼✍ John Ho, and 🎼✍ Mitch Allan (he also produces). It’s the narrative and the words that truly make “Dancing with the Devil” the triumph that it is. Lovato, always incredibly open and transparent, reflects on their near fatal overdose justifying “a little red wine, I’ll be fine.” Of course, later, they justify “A little white line, I’ll be fine” and eventually “a little glass pipe.” Their overdose nearly cost their life, per the chorus:

“I was dancing with the devil, out of control
Almost made it to Heaven
It was closer than you know
Playing with the enemy, gambling with my soul
It’s so hard to say no
When you’re dancing with the devil.”

On the bridge, they recaps their mistakes and repents, before powering out on the chorus in all its glory. Two tracks in, Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over is two for two.

“ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)” 

Go on and make it three for three. Piano ballad ✅ 🎵 “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)” finds Demi addressing their younger sister, Madison. Once more, they’re vulnerable, singing about their overdose.  Take one listen and you can tell that this is a very authentic, genuine song, that comes from the heart. You truly buy what they’re selling. 🎵 “Intro,” and interlude, follows, beginning the transition beyond the overdose, hence, …The Art of Starting Over.

The album’s second title track, 🎵 “The Art of Starting Over” follows, looking toward a better place in life. There is a groove behind this track and a different sound palette beyond the piano we’ve witnessed early on. As always, Demi delivers some sweet vocals. I like the rhythmic nature of the melodic line on the verses. Furthermore, I like the melodic line on the chorus to complement and celebrate the new start. As always, Lovato gives us some pretty rad runs – their so talented. Remaining high-flying, on ✅ 🎵 “Lonely People,” the boxes continue to be checked off.  Great production (drum programming, rhythmic guitar, backing vocals), a big, soaring chorus, and as always, great vocals by Lovato. They show control on the verses while they rises to the occasion on the chorus.  Once more, they add the cherry on top with some excellent ad-libs.

“The Way You Don’t Look at Me”

🎵 “The Way You Don’t Look at Me” has a very singer/songwriter quality – there’s sort of a folk pop vibe here with a hint of country/western flavor.  “The Way You Don’t Look at Me” contrasts the previous songs, keeping things fresh. Once again, we get top-notch vocals by Demi. The authenticity continues to sell this album. Strong songwriting goes a long way as well. Also, shout out harmonic progression used!

✅ 🎵 “Melon Cake” was one of the most anticipated songs from the track listing. Throw in alluring 80s production and transparent Demi and you’ve got a surefire bop. There are a couple of entertaining lines like “People out here gettin’ fired for chocolate in the backseat (It’s a true story).” Indeed, it is true, and the story behind the song is sad, made more realistic thanks to Lovato’s transparency. The chorus is absolutely excellent, speaking her team only allowing her to eat melon cake on her birthdays so that she can be Barbie essentially! Demi, rightfully, swears off melon cake, as well as a number of unhealthy things in their life. “Melon Cake” easily ranks among the best songs on Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over.

Lovato follows up “Melon Cake” with another bop, ✅ 🎵 “Met Him Last Night” featuring 🎙 Ariana Grande. This joint is set in the minor key, given it a darker sound. Demi and Ari make a great team – there was no way that we weren’t going to get high flying vocals with these two working together.  I particularly love the way that they harmonize together throughout the record. I like the use of the 808s which gives this more of an urban-pop sound and feel. The best part is the chorus section, which is on-point.

“What Other People Say”

✅ 🎵 “What Other People Say” was another advance single from Dancing with the Devil…, which finds Demi collaborating with 🎙 Sam Fischer. She takes first blood on this particular track. The resulting vocals are big and commanding – powerhouse! I love the falsetto that they deliver at the end of the chorus. As for Fisher, he delivers awesome vocals in his own right. They sing together on the pre-chorus and it is a thing of beauty. Furthermore, they join together on the chorus exhibiting exceptional vocal chemistry. The message of this song is very appropriate – on-point! And those vocal ad-libs, well, they’re out of this world.

Following two consecutive duets, Lovato returns on their own on the 11^th track, 🎵 “Carefully.” It takes a little bit for “Carefully” to warm up, but it ends up being another welcome addition to the album. The harmonic progression, particularly on the pre-chorus, is #winning. Furthermore, being ultra-specific, the tone of the drums shines on the chorus, as does the wall of sound. Notably, there’s more of an adult alternative sound about this track which makes contrast much of the album.

🎵 “The Kind of Lover I Am” proves to be another groovy cut from the album. Here, Lovato expresses exactly how they treats their lovers regardless of gender. The gender part is key to a certain extent, given Lovato recently came out as pansexual (they also identify as nonbinary). This track has a nice overall vibe about it. While it doesn’t stand out as the best song from the album, but it is definitely a worthwhile listen. As always, Demi sings very.

“Easy” 

✅ 🎵 “Easy” opens abruptly, with Demi singing sans instrumental introduction. Initially, they’re accompanied by piano. Soon enough, the instrumental expands including a dramatic backdrop. Surprising featured guest 🎙 Noah Cyrus arrives on the second verse. The harmonized backing vocals during portions of her verse are awesome.  As a co-lead, Cyrus serves up nice vocals –better than anticipated by all means. Furthermore, Noah and Demi have better than expected vocal chemistry. “Easy” becomes a really rousing track before eventually bringing things back down. This ranks as one of the true surprises of the entire album.

✅ 🎵 “15 Minutes” commences with an awesome groove that instantly has you nodding your head. I love the playful assertive personality that Demi shows on this particular record about her ex (cough* 🎭 Max Ehrich *cough). “Tried to turn my friends into friends of the past,” they bite on the first verse, continuing, “Always puttin’ you first, could’ve been your future / But you didn’t even care about me like that.” Oh snap! The unique sound of this record is refreshing after you had a number of different songs over the course of Dancing with the Devil. This is the perfect track that allows for Lovato to show their powerful rousing vocals – they don’t hold back delivering some of their most spirited ad-libs and runs of the entire album. The chorus, in all its glory is the centerpiece. 

“'Cause you were looking for fifteen minutes, yeah
And now you got fifteen minutes, yeah
Pack your stuff, you can come and get it, yeah (Hahaha)
Ain’t goodbye but it’s good riddance
You got fifteen minutes
Hope you enjoy your fifteen minutes.”

“My Girlfriends are my Boyfriends”

The infectious 🎵 “My Girlfriends are my Boyfriends” is a modern pop joint, set in a minor key. Demi delivers relatively cool vocals – they sound as if they barely break a sweat through the majority of the record.  🎙 Saweetie joins the mix on the third verse, adding even more swagger and freshness to this vibe.

“Cop whatever for my ladies ‘cause they D4L (Facts)
They my wifeys for lifey, they my BFFL’s (Mwah!).”

Musically, 🎵 “California Sober” definitely sounds West Coast with the presence of the rhythmic guitar.  Soon enough, a pretty sweet groove further anchors things.  Lovato definitely sounds like she’s come a long way in her recovery, continuing to impress with this breezy, spirited performance.

“Mad World”

Interestingly, Lovato throws us a curveball.  After numerous originals, they drop a Tears for Fears cover via Gary Jules, 🎵 “Mad World.”  The results are positive, finding Demi singing expressively but also exhibiting the right amount of poise.  As a record that doesn’t require gospel histrionics to be highly effective, they shine with her modesty.

Penultimate record 🎵 “Butterfly” returns to the originals route, initially bringing more chill, cool vibes.  Of course, you can’t keep Lovato subtle too long.  Soon enough, we’re treated to those soaring pipes that make us feel the emotions which she sings so passionately about.  Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over concludes vulnerably with 🎵 “Good Place” where they celebrate recovering.  “Now I’m in a good place / Took a while to feel this way,” they sing on the chorus of the ballad, continuing, “No longer have to save face / Reconciled with okay / And with a whole lot of work, whole lot of hurt, whole lot of grace / Now I’m in a good place.” This is the perfect coda to this emotionally charged, incredibly personal album.

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, Demi Lovato makes quite an authentic, personal, and incredibly intriguing pop album with Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over.  As always, they sing like an angel, showing the tremendous capabilities of their voice.  Stylistically, this pop album dips into various genres, showcasing their versatility.  At 19 tracks and nearly an hour in duration, Dancing with the Devil runs a bit long, however, there are no glaring miscues to be found. It’s filled with hits.

✅ Gems 💎: “Anyone,” “Dancing with the Devil,” “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye),” “Lonely People,” “Melon Cake,” “Met Him Last Night,” “What Other People Say,” “Easy” & “15 Minutes”

🎙 Demi Lovato • 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over • 🏷 Island • 🗓 4.4.21

[📷: Island]