Demi Lovato ”REVAMPED” Album Review

REVAMPED

Demi Lovato

• Genre: Pop
• Date: 15 Sep, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Track(s): 10
• ℗ 2023 DLG Recordings, LLC, under exclusive license to Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

American singer Demi Lovato’s debut remix album is titled Revamped. Through Island Records, it was made available on 15 Sep, 2023. The album has ten re-recorded rock versions of songs from her previous albums and was produced by Warren “Oak” Felder, Alex Niceforo, and Keith Sorrells. The absence of a Punk Goes Pop album for six long years has caused a music drought. Demi Lovato has quenched the thirst of her fans. Before switching to a more edged-up sound during her ten-year career, Lovato produced some excellent pop singles. On the adorably titled song “REVAMPED,” she returns to some of those songs and gives them a new coat of black shine.

The co-signs from Slash and Bert McCracken of The Used are joyfully terrific, and they strike the perfect balance between surprise, nostalgic, and beautifully, playfully defiant. It comes as no surprise that ‘REVAMPED’, in addition to being a good listen, sounds like Lovato is having the most extravagant fun of arguably their whole career as the singer has been open about her love of death metal, rock, and alternative for pretty much their entire career.

Album Art

The superstar is seen in a black-and-white portrait on the album art with a game face and furry clothing. In the visual depiction of Demi, her hair cascades down her face in the form of elaborate decorations.

Tracks And Features

“Heart Attack,” one of Demi’s songs that will undoubtedly be hailed as one of her most significant hits, serves as the album’s opening track. While the delivery is still sonorous and smooth, the vocalist’s intensity level has changed, giving the song more lift than the original. The revamped version of “Heart Attack” showcases Demi’s growth as an artist, with her vocals exuding a newfound power and passion. This refreshing take on the song sets the tone for the rest of the album, leaving listeners eager to explore what other surprises await them.

On other occasions, though, Lovato’s reworkings demonstrate her rock prowess throughout her discography; the moment “Confident” begins, its earlier rendition is wholly forgotten. With its new sheen of modern emo electro SFX and arena-sized bass reverberations, it seems like this was how it was meant to sound—swaggering and stomping. The delivery from Lovato is much the same, albeit with a little more venom and less girl power. On the other hand, the song “Sorry Not Sorry” does not resemble the original version but nevertheless sounds natural and fits the powerful boost provided by Slash’s piercing guitar solo and Lovato’s brand-new vocal instrumentality.

The modifications are more subtle on some songs; for example, the rock version of “Skyscraper” is still very restrained, and let’s face it, “La La Land” was already a rock success. Other tracks experience a more pronounced transformation. The rock rendition of “Skyscraper” adds some energy, however, that amplifies the emotional intensity of the original. At the same time, “La La Land” takes on a whole new dimension with its rock adaptation, infusing it with an electrifying and edgy vibe.

The track “Neon Lights” is also noteworthy because it maintains the original’s energy while boosting it with expressive drum patterns. These drum patterns add a dynamic and captivating element to the song, creating a mesmerizing rhythm that perfectly complements the vibrant lyrics and catchy melody. Combining the original’s energy and the enhanced drum patterns makes “Neon Lights” an irresistible and exhilarating listening experience.

However, including these songs on “RevampED” helps to shape the story Lovato is trying to tell, whether consciously or unconsciously. Lovato noted in the run-up to the album that it came about as a result of finding out how to incorporate songs from ‘HOLY FVCK’ and her earlier hits into a setlist without sacrificing the integrity of the songs.

Given this, Bert McCracken’s appearance in the song “Give Your Heart A Break” is a clear highlight. The duet between Lovato and McCracken, complete with harmonies and soaring high-note ad-libs, makes for an intense performance that reminds you of Lovato’s acting credits – they can do teen angst, passion, and melodrama. This is in addition to new big drum fills, throbbing builds, and addictive riffs. Fans who previously adored this song in all its forms will appreciate the back-and-forth theatricality. At the same time, Glee, in which Lovato appeared for a few episodes in 2013, provided the other finest remake of the original “Give Your Heart A Break” the year before.

By the time Lovato’s career-spanning retelling reaches the explosive rendition of “Don’t Forget,” which serves as a joyful epilogue to the enchanting musical journey that is brimming with nostalgia, it is also an unexpectedly touching retrospective, even though it may be a lighthearted exercise in updating old pop bangers to suit a new style. Lovato’s ability to infuse new life into these old pop bangers showcases their growth as an artist, demonstrating their versatility and evolution. The heartfelt delivery of “Don’t Forget” pays homage to the past and is a testament to Lovato’s resilience and triumph over personal struggles.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	ARTIST	TIME
1	Heart Attack	Demi Lovato	3:59
2	Confident	Demi Lovato	3:25
3	Sorry Not Sorry (feat. Slash)	Demi Lovato	3:34
4	Cool for the Summer	Demi Lovato	3:32
5	Tell Me You Love Me	Demi Lovato	3:47
6	Neon Lights	Demi Lovato & The Maine	3:52
7	Skyscraper	Demi Lovato	3:33
8	La La Land (feat. Nita Strauss)	Demi Lovato	3:13
9	Give Your Heart A Break	Demi Lovato & Bert McCracken	3:20
10	Don’t Forget	Demi Lovato	3:34

Album Summary

Demi making this move is not unexpected, given that Lovato’s “HOLY FVCK” marked her entry into the alternative music genre. It is understandable considering the demands of establishing oneself while taking that step, and the subjects she addressed, such as addiction, mental health, and thoughts on being exploited as a child star, blended in with the bolder “EAT ME AS I AM” anthems.

Listeners can hear Lovato’s genuine musical enthusiasm to fit into the new place they’re occupying on “RevampED,” as well as her affection for a pop heritage she wants to lean into rather than forsake for the sake of innovation. Re-recording her songs as “rock anthems” is a “brilliant business move,” Lovato’s choice exemplifies her creative adaptability and determination to develop as an artist. By reimagining her songs as rock anthems, Lovato can tap into a different genre and reach a wider audience while staying true to her musical roots. This strategic move showcases her ability to adapt and experiment with different styles. It highlights her determination to break free from the constraints of being labelled solely as a pop star.

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