For her sophomore effort Here We Go Again, the dynamite Demi Lovato refined the pop-rock sound she'd been working with since start of her musical career. Ditching the Jonas Brothers as collaborators in favour of working with a bevy of superstar producers and songwriters, Lovato crafted a sassier and more cohesive album that is a marked improvement over her debut.
On the title song, Lovato seems confident belting it out over the rock-tinged arrangement. This continues on the kiss-off track "Solo," with a brassy Lovato spitting clever lyrics that surely fuel speculation over who the song is inspired by (a certain famous ex perhaps?). "U Got Nothin' On Me" will remind many of '80s rock particularly with its anthemic chanting and explosive instrumentation. "Got Dynamite" and "Everything You're Not" will as well, with Lovato channelling her inner Joan Jett but adding her own modern spin on the rocker chick schtick. Similarly, "Remember December" incorporates elements of rock and marries it with '80s synth pop to create an explosive treat of epic proportions. While Lovato seems comfortable in the role of rock goddess, her voice sounds freshest against the more experimental tracks on the album. The Jon McLaughlin-aided "Falling Over Me" is a standout and forges a more mature sound for Lovato. It's an ambient song with a more laid back vocal delivery from Lovato. McLaughlin strikes gold once more with "Every Time You Lie." Its jazzy instrumentation paired with Lovato's raspy, bluesy vocals are a welcome departure from the rock fare and truly emphasizes Lovato's versatility as an artist. It's quite possibly the best track on her sophomore offering. Another standout, "Catch Me," further provides a more cultivated sound for Lovato with its plucking guitar and sweeping strings. It's a song that gives her the air of a seasoned musician. The ballads "Stop The World" and "World of Chances" mirror each other with their similar arrangements and their attempt to skew Lovato's music to an older crowd. The former is a track penned by Nick Jonas and the latter by John Mayer. Though both are skilled songwriters, neither wrote something that quite matches McLaughlin's work on the album. Nevertheless, the twin ballads are enjoyable listens. In addition to the twelve tracks present on the album, Lovato provides two bonus songs. "Gift Of A Friend" is a folksy feel-good song originally found in the film Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure while "So Far So Great" served as the theme song for Lovato's Disney series Sonny With A Chance. For a bonus track, "So Far So Great" is remarkably memorable with its poppy arrangement and a spunky Lovato on vocals. It's safe to say the album ends with a bang (and infectious one at that!).
While Demi Lovato forged an identity for herself as a rock princess with her first album, Here We Go Again expanded upon that and it worked to show Lovato's growth as an artist. However, it is on the tracks where she explores other genres where she shines the brightest. Here We Go Again may not be perfection and it most certainly has some filler, but it showed Lovato's fearlessness and willingness to become a more diverse artist.
Recommended Listening: "Here We Go Again," "Solo," "U Got Nothin' On Me," "Catch Me," "Every Time You Lie," "Got Dynamite," "Remember December," "Everything You're Not," "So Far So Great."
Grade: B+
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