In January 2022, Demi Lovato deleted all of her previous Instagram pictures and posted a new photo with her record label and management team who were all dressed in black with zero smiles towards the camera. Lovato sat in the center with two middle fingers raised up to the sky and captioned the photo “A funeral for my pop music.” While it may have been confusing at the time, there is no doubt that that statement has rang true with Lovato’s newest album Holy Fvck which was released on August 19th. 

Considered a vocal powerhouse, Demi Lovato has never failed to prove her talent which is evident in the fact that all of her albums have reached the top five on the Billboard 200. She also never shies away from singing about emotional topics and being honest with herself and her audience through her lyrics. However, it should be known that the Demi Lovato who is present in this album is one that the public has never witnessed before, especially to someone who grew up alongside her during her Disney days and catchy pop songs. This time she embodies her dark side in Holy Fvck and is definitely the most vulnerable and honest she has ever been out of all her past albums. Yet she doesn’t display any shame at all towards her past and instead embraces it in these new songs. Lovato proudly owns her flaws and begins a journey in rock music that’s full of sweet guitar licks, hard drumbeats, and empowerment. 

Holy Fvck chronicles Lovato’s recovery from drugs and alcohol in rehab, her struggles with anger and depression, and her newfound sexuality where she came out as nonbinary and utilizes ‘she’ and ‘they’ pronouns. It is no doubt a heavy album, both with the music and the subject matter, and while some of her past songs may have been appropriate for a younger audience, I definitely don’t recommend this album for anyone younger than those in high school. However, that doesn’t mean that people can’t still relate and enjoy the new rock sound she displays in Holy Fvck. Everyone struggles with different issues and Lovato shines light on some of her issues through songs that have blunt, honest titles such as Substance, Wasted, Help Me, and Skin of my Teeth. It can definitely be shocking to read these titles and not be overwhelmed when listening to the album for the first time which is full of profanity and loud, grungy sounds. However, I can’t help but admire Demi Lovato for being so transparent in her lyrics while still staying true to herself. I still consider her a role model for anyone struggling with addiction, depression, or just anxiety about the future. 

My two favorite songs would have to be 29 and Happy Ending which are both very impactful. 29 describes an inappropriate relationship that has a huge age difference which Lovato actually experienced at seventeen. It’s an incredibly honest song and Lovato is not afraid to admit how dangerous it is to date older men. The song also prompted other women to share their experiences on social media of dating older men and the ramifications and unfortunate guilt that followed. Happy Ending is, in my opinion, Lovato’s most vulnerable song and is very different from 29. It has no crude language, and the music is haunting and reminiscent of her older songs. Lovato expresses her fear of never getting a happy ending and the verse “Am I gonna die trying to find my happy ending? And will I ever know what it’s like to be fine without pretending.” These words can be very relatable to anyone who has ever lost hope or questioned their future which most people do at least once in their life. 

I will say right now that not everyone is going to enjoy this album. In fact, most people will probably listen to one song and then mourn the singer that Demi Lovato used to be. However, just as we learn and grow every year, so does she and no one should expect Lovato to be the same person she was during her Disney days because that is just unrealistic. After everything Demi Lovato has been through, it is amazing to see that she has a healthy mindset and is content with where she currently is in life. After all, everyone deserves a happy ending.