Dancing with the Devil... The Art of Starting Over
by Demi Lovato
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 2, 2021
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 3177 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,838 out of 3177
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 3177
  3. Negative: 290 out of 3177
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  1. MatheusGalhard
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Demi Lovato newest LP is one of the best albuns that she already done, all the songs have a single meaning, the featuring with Ariana , Noah and Saweetie are so good, the songs Butterfly , Dancing with The Devil and The Art Of Starting Over are so powerfull, and can´t forget to mention the cover that is present in the album Mad World is a powerfull song and listening Demi singingDemi Lovato newest LP is one of the best albuns that she already done, all the songs have a single meaning, the featuring with Ariana , Noah and Saweetie are so good, the songs Butterfly , Dancing with The Devil and The Art Of Starting Over are so powerfull, and can´t forget to mention the cover that is present in the album Mad World is a powerfull song and listening Demi singing this song is so sad because she already suffered with bulling, anorexia and bulimia,and depression, and Mad world represent that we can live our lifes with our vunerabilities and stay happy and continue to stay strong… Expand
  2. azvdweslei
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This album is completely soulful, with a lot of truth. She’s singing with her soul.
  3. iampareza27
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    BEAUTIFUL!! Such a great album coming from Demi. I am very proud of her. She deserves a grammy for this one!
  4. Levymiranda0
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    so proud of this powerful and absurdly incredible and cohesive album. the album of the year
  5. George2001
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Her best album without a doubt. Sonically cohesive. It's kind of her story, it makes sense if you listen from the first track in order till the last one.
  6. maricartti
    Apr 3, 2021
    10
    Just so good, It’s her best album since “Here we go again” era. There is not one song you might wanna skip
  7. jackf1236
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    DWTDTAOSO is absolutely magical, demetria had outshined this time !! welcome back queen
  8. 08monaa
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Amazing album and such a growth from TMYLM. Cohesive, solid and super personal and such great songwriting too!
  9. Edudvnn
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR I’m so proud of you Demi, I love you come for those grammys girl
  10. whatashockerxx
    Apr 2, 2021
    7
    The album is a mixed bag, it certainly is not perfect and has its skips. However the good songs are very very good. Notably Anyone, Dancing with the Devil, Madison's Lullaby and Easy. Perhaps The Art of Staring Over portion should've been left out, as it drags down what could've in theory been a perfect album. The ending and beginning are its strongest elements.
  11. kyotovibes
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    An incredible album from Demi Lovato! She describes it as ethereal dream pop and that is exactly what it is. The first 3 songs "Anyone" "Dancing With The Devil" and "ICU" are preludes, then we have the intro and "The Art of Starting Over" begins, which is phenomenal. Summer breezy, light, soft vocals, beautiful vibes, complex well-crafted intricate lyrics, this is ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!!An incredible album from Demi Lovato! She describes it as ethereal dream pop and that is exactly what it is. The first 3 songs "Anyone" "Dancing With The Devil" and "ICU" are preludes, then we have the intro and "The Art of Starting Over" begins, which is phenomenal. Summer breezy, light, soft vocals, beautiful vibes, complex well-crafted intricate lyrics, this is ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!! Highlights include the amazing "Lonely People" "Melon Cake" and "The Kind of Lover I Am" that are pop rock tinged and disco 90s vibed, they really show the artistry and personality Demi has on this album. Such a fun album with lots of artistic nuances. There's a lot of spoken word moments. RECOMMEND! GO LISTEN TO THIS!!!!! INCREDIBLE, one of the best albums ever. Demi really turned her tough journey into art and emerged finding herself more than ever.WOWW!!!!!… Expand
  12. Mariano27
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    It’s her best work, Lovato’s music have an organic growth. She is such a real artist.
  13. joavictor
    Apr 1, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. memorável, álbum do ano, álbum da carreira. aclamadissimooooo pelas críticas… Expand
  14. jnkdwtd
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Lovato did a good job, they are light tracks to be heard and there are 19 tracks and you don’t even see the time go by. That was a really good job, congratulations Demi.
  15. BiancaMA
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    I've a been a fan of Demi for a long time but this time I was completely took by surprise. The first 3 songs are really Demi, raw, emotional, could be hard to listen because they are so cruel and real. I was happy with the direction it looked the album was going with the first few songs. Then I arrived to the second part of the album. I expected everything but this. The lyrics are soI've a been a fan of Demi for a long time but this time I was completely took by surprise. The first 3 songs are really Demi, raw, emotional, could be hard to listen because they are so cruel and real. I was happy with the direction it looked the album was going with the first few songs. Then I arrived to the second part of the album. I expected everything but this. The lyrics are so beautiful and deep, she's literally talking about her life of struggles but in a cheerful way, the songs are so catchy and playful. She's expressing her life and her heart, finally in peace with her demons (or at least in the right directions) and she's free to just be herself, a beautiful young girl that wants love and happiness. It's a journey, you have to listen to it from top to bottom, because that's the way it was so carefully planned. The sound is so fresh and refreshin, it's not about charts or trends, it's like nothing you hear today. It made me feel nostalgic, like I've been knowin this sound for all my life. It's really an album that I feel like mine. Finally, all the collaborations are just great. Amazing sound, amazing mood, it's an album you can dance to, Sing to, cry to, it makes you feel like recovery is Always possibile.… Expand
  16. Ak0185
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is definitely Demi’s best album. It tells her story starting with what happened to her in 2018 and the “good place” she is in right now. She talks about multiple things in her life from eating disorders to bad relationships. The album features great artists such as ariana grande, noah cyrus, saweetie, and sam fischer. I have listened to all of demi’s albums and this is by far my favorite. It has it all. It tells a story with ballads, mid-tempos, and bops. Even though the album consists of 19 songs I am excited for the deluxe edition so I can have 3 extra songs. This is a no skip album. I loved every song. Give this album a listen, you wont regret it.… Expand
  17. Nicacdsx
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    this album is perfect from beginning to end, the beautiful and mature songs i really loved.
  18. andreaceline
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    this is her best work to date. beautifully cohesive, amazing vocals, and an incredible story behind each track.
  19. jungkookie1
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This album is PERFECTION! Demi never failed to deliver when it comes to serving an amazing album. In my opinion this is the best album since the pandemic started. She really saved music 2021. Her vocals are crazy. She is the voice of her generation. The tracks are so different from each other.
  20. alaysi
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    very different from what Demi’s done before, the whole album is a masterpiece tho. It was worth waiting 3 years
  21. Melissa_masson
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Has zero skips, it’s about time Demi got a Grammy and I truly believe this deserves album of the year.
  22. jaqlf
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    her best album so far, the 4 years of waiting were worth it, i cant stop listening
  23. Tomateoquintero
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    This is her best album yet... The music, the lyrics, the soul and most importan... THE VOICE. Demi is amazing and the album mesmerizing.
  24. nisanur_
    Aug 23, 2022
    10
    Such a fun and inspiring album loved the collabs!! The album cover the lyrics everything is amazing
  25. alexx__
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    ALBUM OF THE YEARR!!! this is hands down her best body of work
  26. JakeLovatic
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    You know what its sad? Being a Taylor Swift/Selena Gomez stan and trying to descredit Demi Lovato's work only because she had problems with your idol (that were solved in september 2019 with Demi and Tay's instagram stories) or because she isn't friend of your idol anymore, nobody can deny that this IS THE BEST ALBUM DEMI LOVATO HAVE CREATED AND THIS IS GRAMMY MATERIAL, and so sorry butYou know what its sad? Being a Taylor Swift/Selena Gomez stan and trying to descredit Demi Lovato's work only because she had problems with your idol (that were solved in september 2019 with Demi and Tay's instagram stories) or because she isn't friend of your idol anymore, nobody can deny that this IS THE BEST ALBUM DEMI LOVATO HAVE CREATED AND THIS IS GRAMMY MATERIAL, and so sorry but y'all can keep being pressed cuz Selena can only collab with reggaeton singers while Demi's on other level… Expand
  27. skysnasty
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Album Of The Decade her best work…………………….. Stream Met Him Last Night…
  28. izaskiez
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    A literal masterpiece, demi outdid herself on this one. Her best album by far, cohesive tracklist, outstanding vocals, incredible features, a 10 for sure.
  29. Zarko77
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Her best album!!! A Masterpiece! Met Him Last Night is a whole BOP! She set a bar pretty high!
  30. Chronicle
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Demi God Lovato is finally coming for Album of the Year! I listen from into to the last track in the album. NO SKIPS
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    Apr 15, 2021
    60
    Lovato's frankness is disarming, forcing a listener to reckon with the depths of the singer's distinction, yet the album works best when it veers toward lighter territory, letting the slick R&B rhythms and sugared hooks carry Lovato's emoting.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 8, 2021
    80
    Dancing With the Devil… The Art of Starting Over is Demi Lovato like we have never heard before. She is sassy and carefree while serious about her identity and personhood in a way she has been itching to be for years.
    Read full review
  3. Clash Music
    Apr 8, 2021
    80
    The opening three tracks are almost an EP in their own right, before a quick reset. Semi title track ‘The Art Of Starting Over’ begins anew, a straight forward bop that gets to the root of Demi’s recovery – her natural talent, her ear for pop magic, affording room for personal renewal.
    Read full review
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