Demi Lovato, Dancing with the Devil | Track Review 🎵

Demi Lovato shines on “Dancing with the Devil,” the moving promo single from her 7th LP, Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over.

After releasing numerous singles in 2020, 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Demi Lovato has finally announced the release of her seventh studio album. 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over arrives April 4, 2021.  Leading the charge is the title track, 🎵 “Dancing with the Devil”, which is both powerful and incredibly personal.  Besides being powerful and personal, Lovato does what she does best – sings her face off. 

Lovato co-writes “Dancing with the Devil” with 🎼✍ Bianca Atterberry, 🎼✍ John Ho, and 🎼✍ Mitch Allan. As far as the sound and production, 🎛 Allan provides Demi with a fine canvas to paint upon 👍.  It’s the narrative and the words that truly make the record the triumph that it is.  Lovato, always incredibly open and transparent, reflects on her near fatal overdose.  It begins on the first verse with Demi justifying “It’s just a little red wine, I’ll be fine.” Of course, as is the case with addiction and substance abuse, things progress, with Lovato justifying “A little white line, I’ll be fine” and eventually “a little glass pipe.” Yikes! Obviously, the end result nearly cost her life (to a greater extent than anyone was aware), as exemplified on the centerpiece, 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, she recaps her mistakes and repents for them, before powering out on the chorus in all its glory.

Final Thoughts 💭 

Demi Lovato has addressed her substance abuse issues many times – 🎵 “Sober” and 🎵 “Anyone” are prime examples.  That said, “Dancing with the Devil” is the best musical representation of what was an unfortunate reality for the pop standout.  Musically, it’s terrific, particularly the chorus and the ad-libs Lovato serves up.  Listening, it’s clear that Lovato has experienced a turbulent storm in her life and was been truly blessed to overcome it.  No, this isn’t lighthearted pop, but the message is definitely more important and transcendent.  Great job Demi.

🎙 Demi Lovato • 🎵 “Dancing with the Devil” • 🏷 Island • 🗓 3.26.21

[📷: Island]