Say goodbye to the confessional style of Demi Lovato’s previous album Unbrokenthat dished the dirt about the troubled teen star’s recovery from eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, depression and self-harm, through songs like “Skyscraper”.

The current and fourth studio album of the former Disney star, despite being named after her,  is less about who she is and more about being pop and radio friendly, showing a stronger side of her, having gone through the tough ordeals and pressure from 13 years under the spotlight.

“I’m a warrior, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been”

An exception to this is when the 20 year-old Camp Rock actress reveals her fragile side to fans in “Warrior”. Much like “Skyscraper”, this self-written song showcases her emotions and personal experiences of being in the public eye and being criticized – how to brush them off and be stronger after each attack. Besides being relatable to teenagers (who often find themselves judged harshly by both peers and parents), the piano ballad perfectly exhibits the X-Factor judge’s soulful voice, which is very different from her usual pop songs..

“Puttin’ my defences up
 cause I don’t wanna fall in love”.

“Heart Attack”, the album’s lead single, is an upbeat and catchy song, which tells a story about a vulnerable girl who’s afraid of falling in love after being rejected. Unlike her other single, “Made in the USA”, which talks of a girl wanting her ex-boyfriend back, in a heavily auto-tuned (to make her sound younger with an annoying high-pitched voice, Although the melody of the song is undoubtedly catchy, the lyrics could’ve been better. Cheesy lyrics like “When I’m cold, you’re there like a sweater” (really, who says that?) sung by a 20-year-old sounds childish. Good luck getting him back.

“You could be my sanity; Bring me peace, sing me to sleep.”

She’s more likely to succeed both musically and in reining back the wandering boyfriend with “Nightingale” and “In Case”. The grief and regret in the lyrics about losing a loved one, yet still hoping for his return, were clearly portrayed in the 7-time Hollywood Teen TV Awards winner’s heartbreaking voice, which was really apt for a heart wrenching story.

Lovato should keep on producing songs which won her awards like MTV’s Best Video With a Message – with more meaningful lyrics. Being. an inspiration to many girls, the anti-bullying spokesperson should carry deeper messages in her songs.

 

Album Details

Artiste: Demi Lovato

Album Name: Demi

Rating: 4/5

Language: English

Genre: Pop, dance-pop

Record Label: Hollywood Records

Release Date: May 14, 2013

 

Album Tracklist

1. Heart Attack

2. Made in the USA

3. Without the Love

4. Neon Lights

5. Two Pieces

6. Nightingale

7. In Case

8. Really Don’t Care

9. Fire Starter

10. Something That We’re Not

11. Never Been Hurt

12. Shouldn’t Come Back

13. Warrior