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. PabloR
    Apr 2, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The lyrics on this album are very good, I think Demi has grown up as singer, artistically and as human. But there’s so many song kinda boring. For me, 19 song are a lot, not for being 19, just because I think this same album with 11 or 12 song would have been awesome. “Mad world” is unnecessary, also Good Place, My girlfriend is my boyfriend, Met him last night, dancing with the devil, etc. But songs like Anyone, easy, what other people say, the way you don’t look at me are pure masterpieces! From 19 I just liked 10 songs. Therefore, I will give it “5”. Half of rating for the half of album. Remember, QUANTITY IS NOT QUALITY. Waiting ya, for the next one! ❤️… Expand
  2. Panchogul
    Apr 19, 2021
    4
    Demi Lovato es una mujer muy talentosa, lastima que su escandalosa y ridícula forma de ser eclipse irremediablemente su carrera musical pesando mas sus quejas acerca de todo que sus discos.
  3. xoGabexo
    Aug 21, 2022
    5
    Demi can do it better. A few songs are really great, but most of the stuff is just boring. I‘m sorry.
  4. shiningcarat13
    Apr 2, 2021
    5
    Her most versatile album,each track can stand put alone. She is telling story about her lige through tracks and at end we can see she is finally in happy place
  5. Tenae
    Apr 2, 2021
    5
    Demi Lovato's best work. So versatile. I encourage everyone to listen to it.
  6. Miguel16035
    Apr 4, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The lyrics, the sounds, the voice, the art are unbelievable. The most incredible album.… Expand
  7. mystified
    Jul 15, 2021
    6
    I think the album is way too long to be captivating enough, and some tracks are definitely beautiful like ICU or The Way You Don't Look At Me, Melon Cake has a beautiful story too... but most of the album is honestly fillers that her fans might enjoy, but I just didn't find very fun or attractive. The album is good at best, not better than Tell Me You Love Me.
  8. mttlxndr
    Apr 3, 2021
    6
    I’ve been following Demi since her Cool For The Summer/Confident era. TMYLM is her best effort yet. Unfortunately this album really falls short. It’s a more mature, diverse approach but overall, nothing stands out. The track list is a mess, the album photo shoot is uninspiring and confusing (what is she wearing??). The album title is also way too long, just pick one or the other.
  9. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    4
    Gorgeous vocals especially on "good place",admirable concept just a bit overstuffed. This album is Demi trying and honestly damn near winning. It's features detract at times but never long enough for it to become a problem. It's accompanying film is just further proof that this version of Demi is a result of hard work and growth.
  10. chelseaharvey
    Apr 2, 2021
    6
    I like this album. I don’t LOVE it because she has a tendency to ‘over-sing’ and sometimes it sounds like she’s straining her voice. I think she should use high notes sparingly as that really adds to the wow factor. However, I appreciate the message behind the album and know how hard this album was for her to make. I like most of the songs and could probably listen to them again, butI like this album. I don’t LOVE it because she has a tendency to ‘over-sing’ and sometimes it sounds like she’s straining her voice. I think she should use high notes sparingly as that really adds to the wow factor. However, I appreciate the message behind the album and know how hard this album was for her to make. I like most of the songs and could probably listen to them again, but there’s some that are more forgettable than others. Just my opinion though.… Expand
  11. RaynerCS
    Jun 16, 2021
    6
    Melhores faixas:
    -The Art of Starting Over
    -The Way You Don't Look At Me
    -Met Him Last Night
  12. Hi_How_RYah
    Nov 20, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Elaborately vivid memories to Demi. It was a great album, carefully put with the trope of the story, with brim of darkness at first, then clarity at the latter part. Love them, i felt pity.… Expand
  13. BrieLYNN
    Apr 9, 2021
    6
    I dont typically go out of my way to listen to Demi besides her radio bops. But when you are one of only a few people that has overdosed infront of the entire world and lived to see the other side, I knew I had to give this album a full listen with no distractions. The majority of the album is so moving and heartbreaking. I feel for this poor girl and what she's had to endure through theI dont typically go out of my way to listen to Demi besides her radio bops. But when you are one of only a few people that has overdosed infront of the entire world and lived to see the other side, I knew I had to give this album a full listen with no distractions. The majority of the album is so moving and heartbreaking. I feel for this poor girl and what she's had to endure through the media and her personal struggles. That being said, I gave it a 6 because while there are some ground breaking- raw honest songs...As a listener it feels very repetitive around track 6, which is early. I wish she would have mixed up the tracklist a little and taken us on more of a journey. The powerful songs would have hit harder with less fillers. Still some great work and makes me want to check out her past work that I haven't heard on the radio!… Expand
  14. normanfgabriel
    Apr 2, 2021
    4
    Muito embora a Demi tenha passado por muita coisa, não acredito que ela seja a melhor se expressando liricamente sobre o assunto, mesmo com uma equipe de compositores trabalhando com ela, somente as duas primeiras faixas oferecem algo mais pessoal, intimista, de restante poderiam ser escritas de qualquer pessoa passando ou superando uma fase difícil. A produção tal qual as letras são rasasMuito embora a Demi tenha passado por muita coisa, não acredito que ela seja a melhor se expressando liricamente sobre o assunto, mesmo com uma equipe de compositores trabalhando com ela, somente as duas primeiras faixas oferecem algo mais pessoal, intimista, de restante poderiam ser escritas de qualquer pessoa passando ou superando uma fase difícil. A produção tal qual as letras são rasas e o que se destaca de vez em quando são os vocais da demi. Nenhuma das colaborações trouxe algo de muito primordial ou cristalino. E o projeto é longo, demi tenta caminhar de vez em quando em diferentes sonoridades quando nem dominou direito a anterior. Não recomendo.… Expand
  15. yourturn
    May 9, 2021
    5
    This album is cohesive and brings a lot of raw emotion to the table, but have we ever heard anything different from Demi at this point? She's been putting out music about her struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse for so long now that everything this album embodies is just about as much as what we could've expected from her. And is that really a positive thing? It's notThis album is cohesive and brings a lot of raw emotion to the table, but have we ever heard anything different from Demi at this point? She's been putting out music about her struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse for so long now that everything this album embodies is just about as much as what we could've expected from her. And is that really a positive thing? It's not bad, but for having the vocal capacity she has there's so much more that she could be doing with it than just playing it safe yet again with broken-record tired themes.… Expand
  16. deivcouto
    Aug 20, 2022
    6
    It has some good songs, but................................................
  17. GizemDogan55
    Apr 2, 2021
    6
    She ıs awesome. She is so beautiful. She is a good person. She is a good music.
  18. Yuddy
    Apr 2, 2021
    4
    It was an OK album. But the track list was too long, too many songwriters in this project (so it lacked some emotions in the lyrics), and she was oversinging in some songs that took away the emotions she wanted to express. I prefer the documentary a whole lot better
  19. gabriellealvs
    Apr 2, 2021
    5
    álbum of the year! demi's voice it's just amazing on this album, there's non "skip" y'all.
  20. Andressa_
    Apr 2, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es bueno, la voz de Lovato es increíble pero esperaba algo un poco mejor, siento que le falto un plus todavía… Expand
  21. MatteoKs
    Apr 3, 2021
    4
    This is good, but I only liked met him last night. A lot of skiped
    Miss old Demi xoxo
  22. beladdl
    Aug 20, 2022
    5
    Meu álbum favorito de Demi Lovato! Simplesmente incrível, muito diferente de tudo que ela já fez. Extremamente maduro, sincero e poderoso. Os vocais, a produção e letras estão incríveis.
  23. Danilo342
    Aug 23, 2022
    4
    She is using the same aesthetic, using the deug theme now is like always the same thing

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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