Transitioning from a teen star to an adult one is not an easy feat but Demi Lovato did precisely that with her third album Unbroken. Released following her very public personal tribulations, Unbroken features a more mature Lovato adopting a new sound and shedding the layers to create one of her most vulnerable records to date.
While her first two albums relied heavily on the influence of rock, Lovato embraces R&B and electronica on Unbroken. This ultimately gives her a more polished sound that gives her voice a new-found clarity. To achieve this, Lovato wisely teamed up with Timbaland and this collaboration led to the production of three songs. The first of which, "All Night Long," is a pounding club anthem with the earmarks of a Timbaland production and even features a solid guest rap by hip hop legend Missy Elliott. "Together" is a solid R&B duet with Jason Derulo that incorporates hand claps spiced with an electric guitar while "Lightweight" is an airy track that highlights Lovato's range as a vocalist with her going from soft and vulnerable to full-blast belt. Lovato also collaborated with popular songwriter Ryan Tedder on the radio-friendly "Who's That Boy." It's a bouncy production with infectious lyrics. Though her experiments with R&B are admirable, it is her willingness to adapt to electronic music that is the most interesting aspect of the album. The title track "Unbroken" is a standout on the album with its pulsating beats and sassy vocal delivery from Lovato while "Hold Up" is a cleverly written midtempo synthesized song with impressive vocals. Another standout is the delicious pop song "Give Your Heart A Break" with its brilliant usage of orchestral sounds and is easily the catchiest of the songs present on Unbroken. Despite the domination of dance songs, Lovato slows it down on several tracks to highlight her incredible talent as a vocalist. The soulful and simmering slow jams "My Love Is Like A Star" and "Fix A Heart" stand as two of the most impressive tracks on the album. The latter, in particular, is a favourite due to its uniqueness and maturity. The lead single "Skyscraper" is an eloquent and inspiring piano ballad that demonstrates Lovato's remarkable ability to emote as a singer. It is impassioned and majestic in a way that most songs are not in the sphere of popular music today. Likewise, "For The Love Of A Daughter" is an affecting song that is heart-rending with its honest lyrics and Lovato's pained vocals. The arresting ballad closes the album dramatically and emphasizes the admirable emotional transparency Lovato has become synonymous with.
Unbroken is impressive in its diverse but cohesive collection of music. It is a successful experiment in R&B and electronica as well as a major accomplishment on the vocal front as it features some of Lovato's most emotional vocals to date. It is an essential album and highly recommended for anyone looking to expand their musical horizons.
Recommended Listening: "All Night Long," "Who's That Boy," "Together," "Lightweight," "Unbroken," "Fix A Heart," "Hold Up," "Give Your Heart A Break," "Skyscraper," "My Love Is Like A Star," "For The Love Of A Daughter"
Grade: A-
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