19. Intro
Listen. I'm not a fan of spoken word. What's more, everything Demi mentions during this track is mentioned elsewhere in the album, in a much more melodic way. Next.
18. Mad World
Maybe it's because I'm not a fan of the original Tears for Fears version or because I'm just not a fan of when artists record covers on an otherwise original album (I mean, there were nineteen tracks, why did Demi think this was necessary!?) But either way, it's just... not needed.
17. Carefully
Listen, I actually really like the verses. They're really chill and vibey and I can picture driving to the beach and listening to it, if I lived anywhere near a beach and if I would just stop procrastinating and get my damn driver's license so that I can fit in with the other cool twenty-four year-olds. But once the pre-chorus hits, the songs becomes a power pop song that would have fit on her 2015 album "Confident" (aka her worst album) but, like, a filler track.
16. Dancing With the Devil
This song has received high praise so I know this is a controversial take but I'm just not feeling it? It's open and honest and raw... but it's also, like, her 15th open, honest, and raw song and it offers nothing new. Her vocals are stellar, though.
15. Met Him Last Night (feat. Ariana Grande)
Listen, I expected better from these two vocal powerhouses. But this isn't the light pop production I would have expected from them. Instead, it's in minor key, with strings. Of course, these aren't innately bad things, they can actually be quite lovely in the right context, but I was hoping for "Greedy 2.0".
14. Anyone
I'm sorry for making this so low on the list, I know it's beloved. And it really is a beautiful song. At this point, I'll admit it really boils down to my preference. I love pop rock Demi. I think "Here We Go Again" is genuinely her best album (followed by her self-titled). I'm just tired of soulful ballads, but as far as this goes, it's a good one and the pre-chorus is stunning.
13. What Other People Say (with Sam Fischer)
The beginning sounds like a children's song, which is fantastic because I'm sure it's every parent's dream to have their child sitting in a circle on the carpet in Kindergarten, singing, "I would not give in, I would not partake/ in the same old drugs everyone else takes" (note: anti-peer pressure education really wasn't that far off). It's a beautiful song, though, with incredibly relatable lyrics about how we're all dying stars and shadows of our former selves because we internalize other people's opinions.
12. Easy (with Noah Cyrus)
Listen. This song is pretty. But there are a lot of pretty songs on the album and this is one of the more boring songs. I do appreciate the imagery in the verses, although I'm not sure if the mentioned cough drop is supposed to be a metaphor or if her ex is literally that terrible a gift gift (If so, I understand why she would break up with him). However, the difficulty of trying to look like you're keeping your cool after the end of the relationship is re-late-a-ble and I hope Demi is way better at it than I am. Side note: I never knew how much Noah Cyrus sounded like her older sister. I felt like I was in my childhood best friend's bedroom once again, dancing around to Miley's "Breakout" album.
11. 15 Minutes
Presumably about her ex-fiance, this track hits hard. While the verses are forgettable, the way Demi grits her teeth and growls in the chorus makes us feel her pain of being exploited for fame, even though I have definitely never had some dude use me for the clout that comes with having 8 listeners on Spotify.
10. The Kind of Lover I Am
"The Kind of Lover I Am" is the Road Trip to the Beach vibe that "Carefully" wishes it were. As Demi sings about her romantic preferences, from behaviour to communication to orientation, I picture my hair blowing in the wind with the top of my imaginary convertible down, while playing the song (yes, in this scenario, I also have an imaginary driver's license). I would also like to clarify that in in this scenario, my hair is windswept in a sexy way, not the way it usually is, look like I tripped and fell into a ditch where a dozen burrs got tangled in my hair. Unfortunately, I still don't like spoken word, and the exaggerated auto-tune during the spoken outro keeps me from placing this song any higher on the list.
9. Lonely People
Listen, I would not be surprised if this becomes the next single, it's an absolute BOP. Unfortunately, the verse and pre-chorus are superior to the indistinct chorus, which ruins the appeal a bit. When Demi sings, "Romeo and Juliet are DEAD", I, too, die. Iconic.
8. Melon Cake
Written about her old label and the "cakes" made of watermelon and whipped cream that she would eat on her birthday instead of a real cake, Demi serves some Katy-Perry-Pop-Anthem vibes. Another potential radio hit, I also appreciate the lyrics related to her eating disorder recovery. Having had to move on from my own "melon cakes", I know the struggle and I'm so happy that I have a song for it now.
7. My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend
The song title is cringe-worthy because the song is. But I will absolutely enjoy it anyway, perhaps even because of the cringe aspect. I would just like to clarify, however, friends who care for you and support you are not fulfilling the role of a partner, they're just doing what friends should do. Companionship ≥ romantic love.
6. Butterfly
According to this Wiki page the first song Demi had ever written, at seven years old, was called "Butterflies". I had definitely read this once because, prior to listening to the album, I was slightly confusing titles and was trying to figure out why Demi would possible release a song she had written in grade two, and how it would fit in with the rest of the album. Thank goodness this is not that song. The breaks in the chorus after she sings the titular lyric really calls for the listener's attention. I'm a big fan.
5. The Way You Don't Look at Me
I'm a BIG fan of Demi+ Acoustic guitar. The melody is completely alluring, the lyrics are heartbreaking, the background harmonies during the last chorus really add the perfect touch!
4. California Sober
Demi recently used the term "California Sober" to describe her current state in regard to her recovery from addiction. And while I've never dealt with substance use, my history with an eating disorder and OCD make the struggle to be content with small steps during recovery relatable. In regards to the song itself, it's a beautiful power ballad with all the perfect instrumentation.
3. ICU (Madison's Lullabye)
Written for her little sister, Demi Lovato sings about her wishes for Madison over twinkling piano. While this could have ended up being an over-the-top cheesy ballad, its simplicity works in its favour. I wanna cry. For the fifth time while listening to this album. I'm not a fan of the little "I love you, Demi/ I love you, too" spoken part at the end but what can I say? I'm picky. Note: This song seems to be a reference to not being able to literally see her sister after waking up from her overdose in the hospital, as mentioned in her recent documentary, Dancing With the Devil. I have no idea whether the way the phrase "I See You" is written also refers to Intensive Care Unit? Hmmm....
2. Good Place
The verses are somewhat melodically unstructured in a way that's reminiscent of Halsey's "929" (a personal favourite). Here, Demi sings about finally being in a good place and I am flooded with a sense of pride that makes me feel hopeful for her and for myself. The perfect closer to the album.
1. The Art of Starting Over
The song is both catchy AND inspiring. About avoiding old bad habits and starting on a new, healthier journey, I want to simultaneously dance to this song and engage in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I honestly feel so empowered right now. Especially when she sings, "the woman in me does not cry/for a man who is a boy and he does not deserve this". PREACH Demi, wish I had this when I was twenty-two.
So. How do you feel bout the album? Do you agree or disagree with this ranking? Let me know in the comments!
Note: This album addresses difficult themes such as substance abuse and eating disorders. If you are struggling, please contact a professional for help. You deserve recovery.
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