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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ncastro19
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is the best album of the year, Demi was completely lit in each song, his vocal technique had a giant improvement, I connected with each of his lyrics, and the video of Dancing with the devil is, in my opinion, one of the videos with more feeling than an artist has ever made, is a complete piece of art, i really love this album.… Expand
  2. Jef1erson
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Beautiful, powerful, painful, this album definitely deserves a 10, The album of her career
  3. Expetwition
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    So good ! You can tell that she took pleasure doing it. It really is a fresh start and it feels good to finally hear the real her
  4. xoaneto
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers. It’s not only an album, it’s a body of work, a lifestyle. This is the best album she’s ever released, really proud of who she became!
  5. eriklesraff
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Confissões e emoções, o álbum estar composto por ótimas melodias e vocal impecável de Lovato, digamos que é o seu melhor álbum até o momento, digno de Grammy, digno de prateleiras vazias em lojas. THIS IS LOVATO. THIS IS VOCAL.
  6. luara28
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    OMG she really outdid herself on this one. This is a masterpiece. The groove is exactly what she needs right now. I'm in love.
  7. angelbeca
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    esse álbum é o maior da carreira, essa mulher nunca decepciona. isso que é ser artista!!!
  8. Malusma
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    tudo para todos perfeitos aclamação o maior da carreira fez tudo linda parabens
  9. andresuecia
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    o álbum perfeito, socorro!!!! demi lovato esta em outro nivel artisticamente!!! apenas orgulho!!!
  10. douglasfalchi
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    perfect sound, all the lyrics with a lot of emotion and a lot of history! I'm delighted
  11. luanfiori19
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    it's so good and soft I loved the song with saweetie, but the other feats are good too.
  12. everylastword92
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Demi Lovato is not just a musician: she is a 28 year old who has experienced more in her life than most people four times her age. Her vocals and songwriting have already been absolutely spectacular for years, but after a nearly fatal overdose in 2018, she went on hiatus to work on herself and her sobriety. Since coming on this uphill climb, her vocals and songwriting have skyrocketed, and so has her fame. The hype for her lead single, “Dancing With the Devil,” and the YouTube docuseries that went with it, was not overrated. She did not disappoint with those, and she certainly did not disappoint with this album. Every track is uniquely wonderful. There are some fun bops, such as “Met Him Last Night (ft. Ariana Grande)” and “My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend (ft. Saweetie),” as well as soulful, heart-wrenching ballads such as “I.C.U (Madison’s Lullaby),” “The Way You Don’t Look at Me,” and “Butterfly.” There’s even several songs that are just so beautiful, poetic, full of powerhouse vocals, and tell such an insanely important story, such as “Lonely People,” “California Sober,” “The Art of Starting Over,” and many more. In addition, the “Intro” track (#4) is a powerful interlude explaining Demi’s journey and where she is today as a human being with many struggles. I’ve listened to many albums in my days, and I’ve been a hardcore, dedicated Demi Lovato fan for nine years, and I have never in my life heard such a wonderful body of work until this album. Though only four years spanned the time between Demi’s sixth studio album (“Tell Me You Love Me,” 2017) and her seventh studio album (“Dancing With the Devil... The Art of Starting Over,” 2021), her vocals, songwriting, and personal maturity in subject matter of her songs and in her own personality have grown so much. This album does not belong to just a former Disney star. This album belongs to a woman who went through so many difficulties and came out on the other side stronger than ever, fighting for a happier life she knows she deserves. And that is why the last track on the album is “Good Place,” an emotional song about finally being in a freeing place she’s wanted to be all along. I’ve never heard an album take its audience on such an eventful journey. This is going to be the best album of the year. Nobody could possibly regret purchasing this album, as everyone will find several songs on it that they can identify with or find comfort in. A must buy.… Expand
  13. Brubsbs01
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That is her best album for sureeeee, it doens't have any bad songs, I REALLY love all of them!!!!!… Expand
  14. Kasmilerl
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best Demi Lovato album eveeer she’s always best in everything she decide to do… Expand
  15. angel11
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Este es el mejor álbum de su carrera hasta el momento, en este disco Demi Lovato hace lucir su voz y su creatividad de la mejor manera posible y de una manera tan auténtica y honesta.… Expand
  16. lanisthanis
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O melhor álbum que ela já fez! Transcendeu como artista: transformou sua dor em arte.… Expand
  17. ivison
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    album coeso em tudo, me causou um sentimento que eu nunca senti antes, enfim, o album da carreira
  18. Itaaloprince
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    PERFEITOOO, Demi Lovato me surpreendeu nesse novo álbum, entregou tudo e de melhor, um dos melhores álbuns da carreira
  19. Benara
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece. Demi Lovato's best album to date. She has proven again the talented vocalist she is and an amazing lyricist, this album is different from her last albums and it sounds amazing!
  20. jojocandido
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Is simply the best album Demi gave us so far. It's so unique, different from everything she ever sang. It seems like all the things that happened to her on those past 4 years as summarize on this album. And every song has such a light positive vibe even though the lyrics are so deep and sometimes kinda dark. Everyone should listen cause it's definitely a masterpiece!
  21. Cadelinha
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Amei demais, se tirassem What Other People Say e My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend ficaria magnifico
  22. fappice
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    the most beautiful compilation of true art. this album truly has 0 skips. the split journey of the ‘dancing with the devil’ section against ‘the art of starting over section’ is a complete realization of growth. you can hear that Demi is ready to share her new truth to the world. she remembers her past, but she’s using as a way to show what’s in store for her present and future. the albumthe most beautiful compilation of true art. this album truly has 0 skips. the split journey of the ‘dancing with the devil’ section against ‘the art of starting over section’ is a complete realization of growth. you can hear that Demi is ready to share her new truth to the world. she remembers her past, but she’s using as a way to show what’s in store for her present and future. the album is unapologetically raw, real, and completely true to her. each song on this album gives insight to Demi’s life. each song is a chapter of her story book and it’s truly remarkable to be able to witness this unfold right in front of us. kudos to you Demi! the album deserves all the accolades that one can receive and that’s a fact!… Expand
  23. yuhdemetria
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    everything about this album is perfect. her best album lyrically and her best overall i think.
  24. Griso95
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Such a cohesive body of work. The folk inspired sound mixed with modern pop elements is just genius. 10/10
  25. skrilleoxx
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Um álbum perfeito, me surpreendeu, está cheio de hits! Quando ela faz a transição e muda a sonoridade ela consegue transmitir uma sensação de paz, harmonia e isso é incrível! Demi acertou demais nesse álbum.
  26. thomasma24
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Ughhh wow... there’s not much to say tbh. This album is a MASTERPIECE. Absolutely her best work yet.
  27. andresous
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    simply the best of the career, she’s just a strong and powerful woman, love her!
  28. Jayzdova
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    her vocals are everything!! she has given her soul and poured her heart in this album
  29. samanthabooth
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    An incredible album. Lyrics are raw and smart. Every track tells a story and Demi of course never failed to deliver.
  30. allanluc4s
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Her best album so far! I love u Demi, thanks for this masterpiece! ❤️❤️❤️
Page:

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »