Over the past couple of years, Demi Lovato has been working to rebrand herself in the world of pop music; much like former Disney stars Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, and Miley Cyrus. She has been prominent in the media for her advocacy about mental illness, her promotion of self-love and body positivity, and her inspiring fight against addiction. Her last album “Demi” was her most successful one in terms of sales worldwide, and ever since then, I have been eagerly looking forward to seeing the future of her career. I have been a dedicated Demi supporter since the days of “Camp Rock” and “Sonny With a Chance”. She has an incredible voice, puts on an amazing show at any venue she conquers, and serves as an inspiration for many people who can relate to the obstacles she has faced in her life. Her new album “Confident” (released on October 16) proves to be a brilliant continuation of the work she has put out over the past few years.
The first track we heard was released this past July, aptly titled “Cool For the Summer”. At first listen, one may not recognize the “Heart Attack” singer. It was a new style for her, a more aggressive, pop-driven anthem perfect for being featured on your favorite radio station during the summer. A few weeks ago, she released the title track to her album “Confident”, accompanied by a music video featuring a whole lot of girl power. These were our first hints to what the new album would sound like, and given that these two tracks were so different, it wasn’t very easy to guess what to expect from the album as a whole. Which I think is a pretty cool way to get people interested. I was definitely intrigued.
There is no denying that this is album is more different than anything Lovato has ever released. Anyone who is familiar with her previous work can notice hints from all of her past albums; her tracks with featured artists like Iggy and Sirah remind me of “Unbroken” and the early tracks on the album like “For You” could definitely fit the style of her self-titled album. But there are also a lot of new elements you can hear on this album. For one, I think this is Lovato’s most vocally impressive album. In tracks like “Stone Cold” and “Lionheart”, she showcases her range and kills the vocals in ways that other pop artists cannot. Her slower, more thoughtful ballads have always been some of her most impressive and powerful songs (Listen to “Warrior” and “Nightingale” for a good cry). She also experiments a lot with a new style of melodies and sound mixing. I’m a sucker for a catchy beat, and Lovato really delivers in her tracks “Old Ways” and “Stars”.
One of my favorite things about this album is the amount of passion Lovato has poured into it. You can definitely feel the major themes she is highlighting – overcoming hardships, facing new struggles, celebrating success, and of course, confidence. “Confident” definitely reflects the current snapshot of Lovato’s life and her developing role in the world of pop music. Whether or not you are a known Demi supporter, I would give this album a listen. You may be surprised; this is definitely not the Demi you have always known. Take a look at her SNL performances below for a taste of what Confident has to offer – you won’t be disappointed.