Summer is coming soon, and there’s no better way to prepare for the season then with great, new music! Hollywood Records is off to a hot start with Demi Lovato’s fourth studio album, DEMI. The gifted singer-songwriter doesn’t fail to impress with her newest release. The thirteen track album covers topics generally focused around love. Heartache, heartbreak, “Heart Attacks,” (pun intended) and of course, being in love. The album does seem to take a less produced sound than her last album, Unbroken, which is a good thing. DEMI appears to blend the sounds of Lovato’s previous albums, resulting in a catchy, kind of raw record AND another hit for Miss Lovato.

Chart topper, hit single “Heart Attack” begins the album. This song is definitely going to be one of the hits of the summer. The track climbed to the top of the iTunes download charts, which isn’t surprising. “Heart Attack” is a great way to start the album, showing that Demi’s voice is still as strong as ever, and her songwriting is still right on track. The song captures the conflict of falling in love perfectly, and once it plays on the radio, listeners can’t help but sing along, attempting to match Lovato’s impressive vocal notes.

“Made in the USA” continues the trend of wanting to be in love…badly. In the second track, Lovato goes patriotic in her lyrics, starting with the comparison: “our love runs deep like a Chevy.” She believes the boy she sings about to be her perfect match. She goes on to sing, “I know that we’ll never break cause our love was made, made in the USA.” The song is very upbeat and has a cute message, wrapped together in a sweet, bubblegum pop sound.

Track three “Without the Love” has a different take on love. Unlike the first two tracks, “Without the Love” is about a relationship that is, well, without love. Lovato compares being lead on in a relationship, to singing a love song that doesn’t have the key component: love. The song, like “Made in the USA” has a strangely catchy, upbeat pop sound despite the overall message.

The next three tracks “Neon Lights,” “Two Pieces” and “Really Don’t Care” take on similar sounds to those of other mainstream hits. “Neon Lights” takes a detour from the pop sound and has more of a dance, techno beat that has a sort of Chris Brown feel to it. Upon first listen, “Two Pieces,” to me, sounded like Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” (for the verses at least). Starting off slow, the song builds up to a powerful, unique sounding chorus. “Really Don’t Care” features guest vocals from Cher Lloyd. Similar to my listening experience of “Two Pieces,” I thought “Really Don’t Care” sounded like current hit “I Don’t Care I Love It” by Icona Pop. Whereas Icona Pop’s song is about just having a good time without a care in the world, Demi’s song is about not caring about a former boyfriend. Cher Lloyd’s accompaniment in the bridge adds a great touch to the break-up song.       

“Nightingale” and “In Case” are the slow ballads of DEMI. Both tracks feature Lovato’s powerful voice accompanied by a simple piano. “Nightingale” takes on the common message of wanting and longing for someone, continuously asking the potential suitor, “can you be my nightingale?” Nightingales are known for their constant singing during the day and night. In her song, Lovato desires to be with someone who will, like a nightingale’s song, continuously be there for her. The next song, “In Case” is one of my favorites from this album. Demi’s voice truly displays the emotion in the song. The simple piano accompaniment adds to the song’s beauty. “In Case” reflects the difficulties in letting go of a relationship. This track embraces the concept, “If you love something, let it go. If it doesn’t come back it was never yours to begin with.” Opposite of “In Case,” in “Shouldn’t Come Back” Lovato comes to the conclusion that maybe a relationship ending was for the best. She’s “tired of being so sad, tired of getting so mad.” Throughout these ballads, Demi shows she has a skill for placing the right amount of emotion in each song, making the listener almost feel the heartache she experienced.

“Fire Starter” and “Warrior” are two tracks that aren’t about love. Rather, they are descriptions of the singer herself. In “Fire Starter,” Lovato proclaims “I’m a fire starter. I’m a sweet disaster.” While “Fire Starter” has more of a bouncy, foot-tapping, head-bobbing beat, “Warrior” has a mellower, intimate, ballad-like feel. Lovato belts out, “I’m a warrior. I got thicker skin. I’m a warrior. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.”

“Fire Starter” and “Warrior” are both self-empowering songs that have good messages for Lovato’s fans that see the singer as an inspiration.

“Something that We’re Not” is a different view on the stereotypical relationship roles. In this track, it’s the boy who continuously calls and “wants to be more than just friends,” while she doesn’t wanna do more than hook up. “Something that We’re Not” is highly amusing and is a song that I felt was long overdue. Lovato channels her inner Avril Lavigne, creating a song that is fun and sassy.

DEMI’s track list is full of songs that are ridiculously catchy and upbeat. “Never Been Hurt” is no exception. “Never Been Hurt” shares the theme of the track from the previous album, “Unbroken” – loving someone without fear, without restraint, unconditionally.

For me, the album takes all three of Lovato’s previous albums and blends them together. There are elements of Get Back and Here We Go Again’s pop vibe as well as Unbroken’s hint of R&B/Hip Hop flair in the songstress’ fourth album. Demi Lovato has truly honed her sound and perfected her skills as a singer and songwriter. DEMI’s track list has fun songs that have the potential to be hit summer singles like “Heart Attack.” Whether you’re a Demi fan or not, definitely pick up this album!