Dance music doesn’t always need to have something profound to say. Sometimes it just needs to make you feel something. That’s exactly what Demi Lovato seems to be chasing on It’s Not That Deep, their ninth studio album and first full step into pop-dance territory.
At just over 30 minutes, this is Lovato’s shortest and most direct project yet. After the loud rock chaos of 2022’s HOLY FVCK, the singer trades guitars for glossy synths and club beats. It feels like a reset, a chance to breathe and start over under the glow of strobe lights.
The album opens with “Fast,” a high-energy track that promises motion but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The vocals feel distant and the verses blur together, but “Here All Night” quickly picks things up. It’s bright, confident, and captures that familiar Lovato spark that turns pop into pure adrenaline.
The real standout arrives with “Say It,” a song that bursts with impulsive energy and feels like the moment the party really begins. The production pops, the hook sticks, and the loose, carefree delivery makes it impossible not to move along. It’s messy in the best way and exactly the kind of risk that keeps this album interesting.
“Little Bit” also stands out with its playful confidence and easy groove. It’s simple, but it works, proving that Lovato shines most when they stop trying to impress and just enjoy the sound. Some other tracks pull a little too closely from the current pop landscape, especially “Frequency” and “Kiss,” which echo Charli XCX’s BRAT without quite capturing its edge.
The final stretch of the album loses some energy with “Before I Knew You” and “Ghost.” Both songs lean into slower moods but lack the emotional depth to tie the record together. Still, the album’s title says it all. It’s Not That Deep isn’t trying to be a statement piece. It’s a fun, quick burst of color that reminds listeners not to take everything so seriously.
Lovato sounds like they’re finally having fun again, and that makes the imperfections worth it.
