Album Review: Demi by Demi Lovato

            If Taylor Swift is the popular senior that I idolize, Demi Lovato is the cool girl in my grade that I am desperate to be friends with. While I see Taylor as a God-like figure and practically worship her, I see Demi as my slightly cooler, exponentially more talented best friend.

Me when I look at Demi.    

            Demi’s out-of-this-world voice, incredible edgy style, and awesome sense of humor are enough to make me fantasize about befriending her. But on top of all that, Demi uses her fame to provide a voice for anyone struggling with issues such as eating disorders, self-harming, or mental illness. After Demi was in rehab for many months, she could have easily lied to the media and dubbed the cause for her stay as “exhaustion” or some other overused Hollywood excuse. Instead,

An example of her edgy and cool style.

Demi was extremely honest about her reason for her stay. After struggling with bulimia and self-harming, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While many people would be embarrassed by this, Demi openly talks about it and in turn has become a spokesperson for recovery. I admire the fact that Demi has used her tumultuous journey towards happiness to become an inspiration for others going through similar things.

            Any avid Demi follower, also known as “Lovatics,” can see just how happy Demi is these days. She is so full of life on all of her TV appearances and always tweets about how grateful she is for her life. This happiness is not unwarranted. Aside from signing on to return as a judge for The X Factor, Demi has just released her fourth studio album, simply named Demi. She explains the self-titled album as a true expression of where she is in her life.

            I have been a fan of Demi since her Don’t Forget days. With each subsequent album, I am more and more impressed by her voice and her musical style. Demi is no exception. I was absolutely blown away by this 13-track album. After reading its not-so-great (and totally unjustified) iTunes review I decided to write my own. I hope that I can do Demi some justice (and that this will make her want to be friends with me.)

 

Album artwork from Demi.

            Demi starts out with the successful single, “Heart Attack.” The fast-paced song mixes rock and pop, which is a perfect tribute to Demi’s style. The bridge where she sings “You make me glow / but I cover up / won’t let it show” with minimal background music makes me melt every time. The song also has super-relatable lyrics, involving a girl that is afraid to let her guard down for a boy. Without a doubt, “Heart Attack” starts the album off strongly.

            Next, the album moves into “Made in the USA.” The song is rumored to be her next single, and after a listen, it is evident why. The track is a cross between a singer-songwriter-with-a-country-twang vibe and a pop anthem. I personally am hoping that this is her single because it has radio appeal and showcases her amazing voice.

            While “Without the Love” and “Neon Lights” are both infectious tunes, I prefer the former. I do enjoy “Neon Lights” as a party song, but I think the dub-step/electro-pop movement is getting old. I was surprised that Demi included this track on her album because I distinctly remember her saying in an interview

X Factor auditions

that she feels the same way. I also don’t think the lyrics have much substance. Nonetheless, the song is fun and would be great for a party. On the other hand, “Without the Love” is everything “Neon Lights” isn't. The lyrics cleverly compare a boy to a DJ, one who is playing her a “love song without the love,” in particular. The song is original and relatable for any girl who is frustrated with their relationship. On top of that, it has a great beat and is sure to be stuck in your head for days.

            The amazing songwriting continues with “Two Pieces,” a sad-yet-happy tale of a broken boy and an equally broken girl, who complete each other. The song draws you in with the lyric “there’s a boy lost his way / looking for someone to play / there’s a girl in the window / tears running down her face.” The ultimate message of the song is that the two “fit together like two pieces of a broken heart.” The song is both emotional and uplifting.

            The album then takes an even more emotional turn. Demi has said in interviews and tweeted that she is most proud of the song “Nightingale.” The song features Demi asking someone to “be her nightingale” by singing her to sleep and making their presence known. I loved the song before I even knew what it was about. Her voice is strong and pure and she shows off her impressive range. However, after I learned the story behind the song, it became one of my favorites. I originally thought the song was about a boy she liked. When I found out it was about her friend who passed away when they were 13, it completely changed my perspective and interpretation of the song. Demi is singing about her friend as if he is her guardian angel that helps her find her way when she is lost. The song really hits home for me because I too lost a friend when we were 13. I can completely relate to lyrics such as “I never see the forest for the trees / I could really use your melody / baby I’m a little blind / I think it’s time / for you to find me.”

            Next is “In Case.” I can’t even with this song. I just can’t. The lyrics. Her voice. The melody. Everything. Is. Perfect. I think you just need to listen for yourself to fully understand the magic that is this song. (Side note: her voice literally brings me to tears starting at 2:20.)

            The album then picks up some energy, with a string of upbeat, catchy songs. “Really Don’t Care” featuring Cher Lloyd, “”Fire Starter,” “Something That We’re Not,” and “Never Been Hurt” are all driving-with-the-windows-down-screaming-along-with-your-friends songs. “Fire Starter” is a great song if you ever need to be pumped up or encouraged. For example, it's perfect to listen to before a job interview or an exam. “Something That We’re Not” is my second favorite song on the album. It is unbelievably catchy and is guaranteed to have you dancing, singing, and looking like an idiot.

Another day of X Factor auditions

            Demi then does something she rarely does, which is open up about her biological father. While the details have never been discussed, her and her biological dad have a very flawed relationship. It seems that he is a mostly absentee father with a drinking problem. Demi expresses her frustration with him in the song “Shouldn’t Come Back.” If this heart wrenching song doesn’t evoke any emotion, you do not have a soul. The song is basically Demi telling her dad that he should stop trying to be in her life. The most powerful line that is repeated throughout the song is “stop right now / you’ll only let me down.” Apparently, Demi had herself and everyone in the studio sobbing when recording this song and will probably have you crying after you give it a listen.

            Finally, we come to the much-anticipated song Warrior. Before they even heard it, Lovatics knew this song would be powerful. Not only is it the last song on the album, it has an incredibly fierce name. I thought that it would be an anthem much like her last album’s title track “Unbroken.” I was surprised when I first played it and realized that it was slow. But just because it is slower does not mean it’s not powerful. Demi sings about overcoming an unspecified obstacle and coming out on the other side as a “warrior.” It is presumed that Demi was sexually abused, mostly because of the line “there’s a part of me I can’t get back / a little girl grew up too fast / all it took was once / I’ll never be the same.” Even though this song is about a horrible topic, it ultimately gives an uplifting vibe. Demi describes her post-incident self by singing “now I’m a warrior / now I’ve got thicker skin / I’m a warrior / I’m stronger than I’ve ever been / and my armor is made of steel / you can’t get in.” Demi ends her most personal album yet with the line “you can never hurt me again,” which must feel pretty damn good.

            After listening to Demi probably more times than is healthy, I can conclude that Demi’s voice is unmatched any other, she continues to grow and improve as a songwriter, and I am now even more desperate for her to be my friend.