Demi Lovato ‘Confident’: Album Review

Since her liberation from the Disney Channel’s clutches, Demi Lovato has become one of pop’s leading motivational figures, bawling songs about self-empowerment and talking to Congress about destigmatizing mental illness.

The 23-year-old’s smash hit “Cool for the Summer” is the first single from her fifth album and peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The album’s second single, “Confident” premiered on Sept. 18 and has so far peaked at number 31 on the Hot 100.

Confident was released on Oct. 16 by Safehouse, Hollywood and Island Records and operates in be-yourself mode.

Openly discussing her struggles with bipolar disorder, bulimia and substance abuse, Lovato has settled into herself in a manner similar to other pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Pink.

Lovato continues the No. 5 winning streak. A loud and adventurous stride into new musical terrain. The album gets starts off with screaming horns and the beating of drums on the harsh, rousing title track which finds Lovato declaring her power.

In some ways, Confident updates the adult-contemporary album prototype for tween graduates. Throughout, Lovato’s clarion voice is front and center on midtempo tracks.

The album consists of 13 tracks including Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American rapper Sirah.

Azalea is featured on track six called “Kingdom Come” and the feisty “Waiting for You” which is track 7 and features Sirah. The song says in no uncertain terms that Lovato will not tolerate bad behavior from those in her life.

In some ways, Confident updates the adult-contemporary album prototype for tween graduates. Throughout, Lovato’s clarion voice is front and center on midtempo tracks.

Other songs like “Old  Ways” asserts that she’s glad to be rid of the past bad habits and will not give in to temptation. “Stone Cold” wishes an ex well in his newfound happiness. The album closes with “Father.” “Father” is a choir-assisterd elegy for Lovato’s biological father, who died in 2013.

He and Lovato had been estranged for six years prior to his death and the lyrics are a raw trip about regret, guilt and hope that he’s in a more peaceful place. It is a jaw-dropping finale ad make Confident more than just an album title.

The cohesive album is a contemporary spin on some very classic genres such as, smoky soul-pop, R&B, and languid hip-hop.

According to Critic of Music, her album ranks in at 7/10.

Lovato’s growth since her debut as a tween TV star has been public and it hasn’t been without stumbles. Her willingness to own every step and misstep and to show her audience how the rough times helped her become the woman she is makes this album a surprisingly compelling listen.

In recent news, Lovato and pop singer Nick Jonas announced on Twitter that they will be touring together starting next year. The tour, “Future Now” will kick off on June 24 and will visit over 40 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.