Dancing with the Devil: the Art of Starting Over cover

Dancing with the Devil: the Art of Starting Over

Demi Lovato · 2021

60 min · 20 tracks · contemporary R&B

A raw and vulnerable blend of pop and R&B, reflecting resilience through emotional storytelling and intimate production.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Anyone Start here — This opening track features Lovato's powerful vocal delivery, showcasing her vulnerability as she addresses feelings of despair and longing for connection.
  • →
    Dancing With the Devil — The title track delves into Lovato's struggles with addiction, providing a haunting narrative that encapsulates her journey toward recovery.
  • →
    California Sober — In this track, Lovato discusses her approach to sobriety in a candid manner, blending personal insight with infectious melodies that resonate with listeners.
  • →
    ICU (Madison’s Lullabye) — This poignant lullaby serves as a heartfelt dedication, featuring delicate instrumentation that complements Lovato's emotional reflection on love and loss.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album combines personal storytelling with strong production, though its pacing affects overall cohesion.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a piano ballad that sets an emotional tone, followed by tracks that blend R&B rhythms with pop melodies.
  • Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies and personal lyrics that reflect Lovato's experiences, creating a sense of intimacy.
  • The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a mid-tempo groove while others slow down to emphasize vulnerability.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady emotional progression throughout
  • intimate reflections on vulnerability
  • for late-night introspection
  • heartfelt anthems for personal growth
  • engaging storytelling in each track

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking upbeat party tracks
  • prefer instant gratification tunes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows continued artistic growth and resilience after personal struggles.
Themes
addiction recovery· California sober philosophy· vulnerability in love
Career context
Released in April 2021, this album marks Demi Lovato's return after a tumultuous period that included personal struggles and a near-fatal overdose in 2018. This work follows the more introspective 'Tell Me You Love Me' (2017) and serves as both a reflection on past traumas and an embrace of new beginnings.
Stylistic neighbors
Halsey· Kesha· Bebe Rexha
New to Demi Lovato? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Anyone Start here 3:47
  • 2 Dancing With the Devil 4:03
  • 3 ICU (Madison’s Lullabye) 3:16
  • 4 Intro 0:26
  • 5 The Art of Starting Over 2:47
  • 6 Lonely People 2:40
  • 7 The Way You Don’t Look at Me 2:28
  • 8 Melon Cake 3:32
  • 9 Met Him Last Night 3:24
  • 10 What Other People Say 3:14
  • 11 Carefully 3:11
  • 12 The Kind of Lover I Am 3:09
  • 13 Easy 3:28
  • 14 15 Minutes 2:51
  • 15 My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriends 3:07
  • 16 California Sober 3:05
  • 17 Mad World 3:02
  • 18 Butterfly 2:37
  • 19 Good Place 3:04
  • 20 Gray 3:11

What to play next

Holy Fvck
Listen next

Holy Fvck

2022

Continues the raw emotional themes with a more edgy sound and bold exploration.
Tell Me You Love Me
Go back to

Tell Me You Love Me

2017

Sets the stage with deep emotional storytelling and vulnerability.
Full Demi Lovato discography Where to start with Demi Lovato Artists like Demi Lovato
contemporary R&B pop rock soul

If this landed

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata