A live review of Demi Lovato's new rocker album, Holy Fvck!

It’s a little biased of me to only revive the Reviews topic on this blog only when I want to, but oh well! One of the world’s most controversial figures, Demi Lovato, has released her 8th studio album and I am here to review it!

Holy Fcvk has been regarded as Demi’s true return to music considering the DWTD era was fcked up in all sorts of ways that I can’t start mentioning because it will give me heart palpitations.

So without further ado, here’s a LIVE review of me listening to Demi’s album for the first time, track-by-track!

  1. Freak feat. Yungblud

This song starts off in a way that tells you it’s building up to a crazy chorus. You’re just waiting for Demi to start screaming and automatically… I have chills.

“Get your tickets to the freak show baby, step right up to watch the freak go crazy” This is possibly one of the best lyrics of all time. The fact that Demi is playing on that “Demi Lovato has gone crazy” image is powerful.

This is the best way to start the album. Yungblud doesn’t have much of a solo except 3 lines, but his voice compliments Demi’s throughout the rest of the song.

Came from the trauma, stayed for the drama

2. Skin of My Teeth

Ah the lead single.

Opening it up with “Demi leaves rehab' again / When is this shit gonna end?” is once again, iconic.

Demi leaves rehab again gif

Honestly I love Skin of My Teeth. It’s a nice introduction to the era and a summary of what Demi has been through without it being ultra specific, but still having that Demi sass. However, I already know that it’s not gonna be everyone’s favorite on the album, only because it’s competing with some serious bangers.

The bridge of this song is what makes it incredible. It definitely makes it stand out and I can only imagine this live… oof!!!

I'm just trying to keep my head above water
I'm your son and I'm your daughter
I'm your mother, I'm your father
I'm just a product of the problem

3. Substance

The people asked for a modern day pop-rock anthem that sounds like it’s from the early 2000s and Demi has delivered beyond expectation.

demi lovato substance gif

Like I said on twitter, the first time I heard this song, it came on the radio when I was driving, and I was like “who… is this?? Is this a cover?” only for it to be my favorite mess, Demi!!

Everything from the chord progression, the lyrics, the build up, the tone, everything about this song is perfection and it was the best follow up to Skin of My Teeth.

3. Eat Me (feat Royal & the Serpent)

I… gasped…

Be more predictable
Be less political
Not too original
Keep to tradition, but stay individual
Dirty but washable

demi lovato holy fvck photoshoot

Credit: Brandon Bowen/Press

Oh my god the song continues to get better with the chorus, I— I can’t say anything else, but just write out the lyrics.

I know the part I've played before
I know the shit that I've ignored
I know the girl that you adored
She's dead, it's time to fucking mourn
I can't spoon-feed you anymore
I can't spoon-feed you anymore
Dinner's served, it's on the floor

This song is Demi owning her actions by saying “I know the part I’ve played before, I know the shit that I’ve ignored” whilst shedding light on the standard that everyone has for her. The ultra theme of this song is that no matter what you do, how you look, how you dress; people will be unhappy so basically accept me for who I am or I don’t give a f-ck. Royal & the Serpent was an amazing touch on this song especially with how they sound different & “creepy,” but in the best way ever. I might check out their discography because of this.

Sorry for how detailed I’m being but WOW… there’s a lot to say.

5. Holy Fcvk

After the first 4 tracks being incredibly insane, it’s hard to follow up to it, so the album track—Holy Fcvk, is out here struggling to make an imprint on the first listen.

I like the chorus with all the guitars because for any fan of rock music, you know the best part is the crazy guitar parts. You know that sh!t is gonna be mind blowing live. Other than that, it’s nothing special.

6. 29

If it isn’t the song that I’ve watched save Demi’s career at the last moment. Demi had to pray to God for something that would save her career and it was this song to get people back on her side. Is she 6 years too late with the breakup exposé? Sure, but it’s never to late to expose in my book!

This song exposes Demi and Wilmer Vladerrama’s toxic relationship by talking about how her being a minor didn’t stop him for pursing her and how it’s in his nature to date minors in Hollywood.

Getty Images

I also feel like she’s being modest by saying she was 17. Their record dates back to when she was 16 actually, but ok! This song is the best one to go viral on this rock album because it’s the most RELATABLE and emotional. The amount of TikToks I’ve seen go viral… organically!

Finally Demi got an organic viral hit that isn’t 7 years OLDDDDDDD (read this like it’s the chorus of 29)

I can see this being a skip in the future, but it’s definitely a staple on the album. I have a lot of opinions on Demi & Wilmer even though I exposed them first (I’m cashing in my I TOLD YOU SO card right now), so let me know if you guys want that post.

yeah you’re 12 years her elder!! GET HIM!!!!!!!!!!!

7. Happy Ending

Happy Ending tells the story of Demi trying everything in the book and almost dying, yet still being unfulfilled in life. So she questions, am I gonna die trying to find my happy ending?

She even talks about how she misses the high that drugs used to give her which is such a strong thing for a recovering addict to admit.

Something that surprised me was how she opened up about how she tried to be everyone’s hero to the point where she was the poster child for recovery, but even then, that didn’t fill the void.

This is also something that I spoke about a lot on this blog throughout the years so it’s a little confirmation token there too.

This is such a sad song. Like this one tugs on the heart strings.

8. Heaven

Ooooof the tempo and start of Heaven just wants you to STRUT. If I could describe the sound of this song in one word, it would be mischievous, which is perfect considering that’s the theme of this song. It’s also very catchy!

Crucified for the life I'm living
Oh my God, hope I'm forgiven
Going to hell 'cause it feels like heaven (Yeah)

9. City of Angels

I like this song. She’s cute. Everything about this song is what a textbook pop rock song sounds like. It’s definitely a song to play while you’re driving on the highway and I love how it opens up. I got nothing else to say except I hate the lyric “you call me they, but I’m still daddy’s girl.”

10. Bones

This song is very sexy, which is something you wouldn’t except from the title.

demi lovato body say

I like how the chorus is very different from the verses and honestly, it’s a great bop. I can see this being played during a hookup scene in a movie. It gives off such a bad ass vibe.

So many feelings
When you said her name
'Cause I want you so bad
That I need restraints

11. Wasted

When this song starts off, it reminds me of OG Demi songs. I don’t know which, you guys let me know.

Wasted talks about the comedown from being wasted and how she’s scared of that, but it seems like she’s comparing a breakup to coming down from drugs. She even questions if she’s gonna be able to detox from this.

Honestly, it’s a great song and you can feel the emotions throughout. I could see this being a skip for me in the future though.

The highest high can't hold a candle to
Getting wasted on you

12. Come Together

This is a love song and nothing about it is cryptic which is a nice break from the heavy lyrics of the album. There is definitely an underlying sexual theme if you get what I’m sayin. The only thing that’s annoying about this song is the high notes that didn’t really need to be in there.

Got me closer to the edge than ever
We both want it, but we don't surrender
And we could make it last forever
But paradise is even better whеn we come together

13. Dead Friends

Oooof… this is a song about survivor’s guilt.

It starts off with Demi singing how she’s able to do things that her dead friends can’t, such as watching the sun go down. The pre-chorus is guilt ridden with Demi singing she’s danced with the devil (paying homage to her old era) and she doesn’t know how she made it, while others didn’t.

It’s such a sad song, but a bop.

I miss the hell we can't raise, I miss the time we can't waste
I miss the texts they can't send, I miss my dead friends
We had the rest of our lives, didn't get to say goodbye

14. Help Me (feat. Dead Sara)

The way this song starts off makes me think of a motorcycle gang coming into a bar to start some trouble, so obviously I’m tuned in!

This is a bad bitch anthem by basically saying everyone else is useless and ego filled. Emily Armstrong aka Dead Sara, adds such a unique touch to this song. Kudos to Demi for picking the collabs that would do the best for the song.

I love how it calls out people who claim they wanna help Demi, but they really ain’t doing much. Also, this song is nicely placed in the album because it’s not like all the bops are in the beginning.

Hey, thank you for
Your uselеss information
Hey, never satisfiеd
With my explanation
Hey, what's with your desperate fascination?

15. Feed

This song is definitely more on the pop slow side which is a nice transition, but this is only for the beginning. The chorus still maintains its true rock nature. The story this song tells is beautiful.

It’s basically about having both good & bad in you. One wolf represents all the good in the world and the other represents all the bad. Depending on which YOU feed and which you pay attention to, will dictate how you lead your life. According to Demi, it’s based on an indigenous folktale.

It’s relatable, catchy, validating, and inspiring. It’s also a beautiful way to start wrapping up the album because it shows Demi trying to take back control of her life and not living in a victim mentality. This song quickly became one of my top 5s.

I got two wolves inside of me
But I decide which one to feed

16. 4 Ever 4 Me

This is a love song about being hopeful again when it comes to falling in love. It’s a beautiful song and shows growth with how Demi perceives relationships and just having that hope again. It also sounds like it could have been part of the DWTDTAOSO album.

My only thing is… why is this closing up the album? If anything, I think she should switch this track out with track #15, Feed. Nonetheless, listening to this song makes it feel like the closing credits of a movie about someone who has been through so much, but ended up finding their person and being happy & hopeful. So I can see why this was chosen to end the album.

Final Notes

Wow… just wow.. what an album. It was truly a roller coaster of emotions. I’m not some sappy gal, but after listening to this album, I literally feel like a new person. it’s like I shed my old skin at the beginning of the album and became a different person at the end. That’s how much of a journey it was.

Now I’m a rock girlie at heart. That’s my favorite genre and if you guys have read my past reviews, I’ve always felt eh about cookie-cutter pop songs especially during the EDM era. Genre aside, Demi has always brought the best to every single genre.

Holy Fvck tells a cohesive story with multiple themes—heartbreak, loss, love, struggle, substance abuse, recovery, sex, anger, guilt, confidence, finding yourself, acknowledgment, hope, and growth.

I like how it didn’t focus on one theme and wasn’t ultra specific like she was on DWTDTAOSA; with songs such as “California Sober” “ICU” “Melon Cake.” The issue with that album, despite it still being a great album, was that it didn’t show much growth. It’s like she wanted to stick with one theme and eat it up.

Whilst in this album, she acknowledges the mess and headache she is, but she’s like eat me as I am, hoe.

RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Lyrically, this album is absolutely incredible. I’ve seen people give more credit to stupid sappy lyrics while Demi’s lyrics exist. The production of the album is insane. The collabs are perfect because she did what’s best for the song, not for commercial success. It wasn’t random collabs here and there in hopes of a hit which is something she did on DWTDTAOSO.

Demi is a lot of things, but she is an incredible artist and despite all her shenanigans, her work speaks for herself and that says a lot.

Top 5 current faves:

  1. Substance

  2. Eat Me

  3. Feed

  4. Freak

  5. Help Me

Final Rating: 9.5/10

In comparison as albums aged / if I changed my mind:

Album Ratings: Demi's Discography

Everything is out of 10.

What are your thoughts on Holy Fcvk? Do you agree or disagree with my ratings? How does this album hold up to her discography? What are your top 5? Let me know! I’m excited to see what you guys think.

Where to find or contact us:

ExposingSMGreviews, reviews esmg, holy fcvk, holy fcvk album review, holy fvck review, demi lovato 29, 29, yungblud, dead sara