Confident (album)

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Confident
Demi Lovato - Confident (Official Album Cover).png
Studio album by Demi Lovato
Released October 16, 2015 (2015-10-16)
Recorded 2013–15
Genre
Length 38:59
Label
Producer
Demi Lovato chronology
Demi
(2013)Demi2013		 Confident
(2015)
Singles from Confident
  1. "Cool for the Summer"
    Released: July 1, 2015
  2. "Confident"
    Released: September 18, 2015
  3. "Stone Cold"
    Released: March 21, 2016[2]

Confident is the fifth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on October 16, 2015, by Hollywood, Island and Safehouse Records.[3] The album features guest appearances from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American rapper Sirah, while Lovato co-wrote most of the songs on the album and worked with writers and producers such as Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Steve Mac, Rami and Stargate, among others.

The album's lead single, "Cool for the Summer", was released on July 1, 2015, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "Confident", premiered on September 18, 2015, and peaked at number 21 on the Hot 100. "Stone Cold", as the album's third single, only peaked at number 2 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart. Following its release, the album debuted at number one in Canada, while reaching the top 10 in fifteen other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

Background and recording

On December 18, 2013, Lovato confirmed that she was working on her fifth album, stating "The sound just evolves into everything that I've been and everything that I want to become." She also said, "I've never been so sure of myself as an artist when it comes down to confidence, but not only personal things, but exactly what I want my sound to be and what I know I'm capable of and this album will give me the opportunity to show people what I can really do."[4] In October 2014, Lovato's manager confirmed to Billboard that the singer had "done some songs, but certainly the majority of it will kick off next year", following the Demi World Tour.[5]

In February 2015, Lovato teased the album with a number of posts via Twitter, writing: "I’ve never been more confident in my sound. Never been so sure of who I am as an artist. Never felt this hungry and driven." She further described the album as "very authentic to who I am".[6]

In June 2015, Lovato confirmed that she had been in the studio almost every day, and would be releasing new music "very soon". She revealed to MTV News: "This time around, I was able to explore different sounds, and hone in on something that I’m really proud of." She also expressed wishes to work with rapper Iggy Azalea on the album.[7] Discussing the album's direction, Lovato told Ryan Seacrest that "I'm no longer serious", stating: "I'm done with the sob stories. New chapter, new life, new album, new single — this is a completely new Demi." She also revealed that it would feature "a lot of provocative songs".[8]

Release

Confident is the singer's first album to be released in part under the newly formed Safehouse Records, a partnership between Lovato, her manager Phil McIntyre, and Nick Jonas, as a joint venture with Island Records. Lovato stated: "I've worked closely with both Nick and Phil for years and we share the same point of view when it comes to making music. It's incredibly exciting to be part of this new company where I'm in control of all aspects of my career."[9] Lovato debuted the album's artwork, title and track list on August 26, 2015 via social media.[10] The album's thirteen song titles were revealed in a series of Twitter posts by Lovato's celebrity friends, including Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Perri, Ryan Seacrest, Pete Wentz, Bea Miller and Iggy Azalea.[10] This was followed by Lovato writing: "You ready for this? (sic) New album October 2015 #Confident."[10] The cover art for Confident features a "bronzed" Lovato posing in black underwear and top; the image was described as "sultry" by The Huffington Post[11] and "stunningly sexy" by Us Weekly.[10]

Singles

"Cool for the Summer" was serviced as the lead single from the record on July 1, 2015, and has since peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[12] The song went top 10 in the UK, New Zealand, Scotland and Czech Republic and top 20 in Canada, Ireland and Australia.[13][14][15][16] The title track, "Confident", was released as the second single on September 18, 2015.[17] "Stone Cold" was released as promotional single from the album on October 9, 2015.[18] On March 21, 2016, the song was released as the third official single.[2]

Promotion

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See also: Future Now Tour

On September 29, 2015, Lovato sent her fans on a scavenger hunt. Lovato announced that she was hiding special boxes, each on a different location. Each box contained a preview of a song from the album. The first two boxes were found that same day in New York City, the first box contained a snippet of "Stone Cold" while the second contained a snippet of "Old Ways". Lovato performed "Stone Cold" in its entirety later that same day at the Highland Ballroom in New York.[19] On October 17, 2015, Lovato performed a "Cool for the Summer" and "Confident" medley, and "Stone Cold" on Saturday Night Live during the series' forty-first season.[20][21] On October 22, 2015, Lovato released the music video for the R&B-influenced "Waitin for You" featuring Sirah.[22] Lovato and Nick Jonas announced that they would go on a co-headlining tour, the Future Now Tour, on the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on October 26, 2015.[23]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 74/100[24]
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4/5 stars[25]
The A.V. Club B[26]
Billboard 4.5/5 stars[27]
Entertainment Weekly B+[28]
The Guardian 3/5 stars[1]
London Evening Standard 2/5 stars[29]
Newsday B+[30]
NME 3/5 stars[31]
Sputnik 4/5 stars[32]
Rolling Stone 3.5/5 stars[33]
USA Today 2.5/4 stars[34]

Upon its release, Confident received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Awarding the album four stars at AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing, "the cumulative result is a messy, colorful modern pop record that is greater than the sum of its parts."[25] Annie Zaleski from The A.V. Club gave the album a B+, saying, "Confident is an impressive album by a pop star who knows what she wants—and also knows exactly how to get there."[26] The Guardian gave a mixed review of the album, saying, "Only a certain sheen that turns her vocals into a generic hybrid of Sia and Kelly Clarkson stops Confident from being one of the pop albums of 2015."[1] Mike Wass from Idolator gave a mixed review, saying, "There's no right or wrong approach, but if you're going to relaunch as an irreverent pop siren like Teenage Dream-era Katy Perry, you better have an album full of surefire hits to back it up. And Confident is lacking in that department."[35] Nick Levine gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "It's powerful stuff, especially from a singer who has bravely spoken out about her past struggles with depression, drug and alcohol abuse and an eating disorder, but ultimately Confident feels a bit relentless."[31]

Glenn Gamboa from Newsday gave a more positive review, saying, "On Confident, Lovato's swaggering search for self is remarkably revealing, as she tackles everything from sexual experimentation to mental health issues to her relationship with her estranged father."[30] Writing for Billboard, Maura Johnston gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying, "Her willingness to own every step and misstep, and to show her audience how the rough times helped her become the woman she is, makes Confident a surprisingly compelling listen."[27] Tim Stack from Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, saying, "Over 11 tracks Lovato’s energy is unwavering, sometimes to a fault. So it’s a welcome relief that she takes a moment to reveal a softer side on the gospel-tinged ballad "Father," a tear-jerking tribute to her estranged late dad."[28]

Richard Godwin from London Evening Standard gave the album a negative review, saying, "She’s more at home on the ballads such as Lionheart, while Kingdom Come, an atmospheric prowl featuring Iggy Azalea, all moody changes and trap beats, is a welcome respite from a personality record weirdly lacking in personality."[29] Patrick Ryan from USA Today gave the album 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying, "Confident is overall an assured step forward for Lovato, who should only hone her sound and style by the time album No. 6 rolls around."[34]

Year-end lists

Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Rolling Stone 20 Best Pop Albums of 2015 15 [36]
Fuse 20 Best Pop Albums of 2015 17 [37]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 98,000 units (77,000 in pure album sales), behind Pentatonix's self-titled album.[38] In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number six on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her highest-charting album there to date.[39]

Track listing

Confident – Standard edition[40]
No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Confident"  
3:25
2. "Cool for the Summer"  
  • Martin
  • Payami
 3:34
3. "Old Ways"  
3:24
4. "For You"  
3:41
5. "Stone Cold"  
Pourkarim 3:11
6. "Kingdom Come" (featuring Iggy Azalea)
Mac 4:04
7. "Waitin for You" (featuring Sirah)
  • Evigan
  • Mac
  • Allan[b]
 3:12
8. "Wildfire"  
3:19
9. "Lionheart"  
Mac 4:04
10. "Yes"  
  • Lovato
  • Pourkarim
  • Pourkarim
  • Thörn[c]
 3:10
11. "Father"  
  • Lovato
  • Pourkarim
 Pourkarim 3:55
Total length:
 38:59
Notes

Credits and personnel

  • Adapted from the liner notes of Confident.[41]
Performers and musicians

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  • Demi Lovato – lead vocals, background vocals, piano (tracks 5, 11), keys (track 10)
  • Iggy Azalea – vocals (track 6)
  • Sirah – vocals (track 7)
  • Savan Kotecha – background vocals (tracks 1, 2)
  • Ilya Salmanzadeh – background vocals (track 1), guitar (track 1), bass (track 1), keys (track 1), percussion (track 1), drums (track 13)
  • Oscar Holter – background vocals (track 1)
  • Colette Falla – background vocals (track 4)
  • Johan Carlsson – background vocals (tracks 4, 13), keys (tracks 4, 13), guitar (tracks 4, 13), percussion (track 4), bass (track 13)
  • Laleh Pourkarim – background vocals (tracks 5, 10, 11), piano (track 5), bass (tracks 5, 11), synth (tracks 5, 10, 11), percussion (track 11), organ (track 11), guitar (track 11)
  • Gustaf Thörn – background vocals (tracks 5, 10, 11), piano (tracks 5, 11), synth (tracks 5, 11), keys (track 10), organ (tracks 10, 11), bass (track 10)
  • Ryan Tedder – background vocals (track 8)
  • Ina Wroldsen – background vocals (track 9)
  • Rami Yacoub – background vocals (track 12)
  • Carl Falk – background vocals (track 12)
  • Kristoffer Fogelmark – background vocals (track 12)
  • Albin Nedler – background vocals (track 12)
  • Livvi Franc – additional background vocals (track 3)
  • Max Martin – keys (track 1), percussion (track 1)
  • Jonas Thander – saxophone (track 1)
  • Staffan Findin – trombone (track 1)
  • Stefan Persson – trumpets (track 1)
  • Karl Olandersson – trumpets (track 1)
  • Peter Carlsson – live drums (track 1)
  • Rickard Göransson – percussion (track 1)
  • Ali Payami – guitar (track 2), drums (track 2), percussion (track 2)
  • Jason Evigan – keys (track 3), all instrumentation (track 7)
  • Babydaddy – keys (track 3)
  • Mattias Johansson – violin (tracks 4, 13)
  • David Bukovinszky – cello (tracks 4, 13)
  • Mattias Bylund – strings (track 4)
  • Eru Matsumoto – cello (track 5)
  • Chris Laws – drums (tracks 6, 9)
  • Steve Mac – all keyboards (tracks 6, 9), all instrumentation (track 7)
  • Stargate – all instruments (track 8)
  • Paul Gendler – guitar (track 9)
  • Erik Arvinder – strings (track 11)
Technical personnel

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  • Max Martin – music production (tracks 1, 2), programming (track 1), additional programming (track 2)
  • Ilya Salmanzadeh – music production (tracks 1, 13), programming (track 1), drums programming (track 13)
  • Ali Payami – music production (tracks 2, 4), programming (track 2)
  • Jason Evigan – music production (tracks 3, 7)
  • Johan Carlsson – music production (tracks 4, 13), vocal production (tracks 4, 13), drums programming (track 13)
  • Laleh Pourkarim – music production (tracks 5, 10, 11), vocal production (track 10), cello arrangement (track 5), engineering (tracks 5, 10, 11), drum programming (tracks 5, 10, 11), FX programming (track 10), synth programming (track 11)
  • Steve Mac – music production (tracks 6, 7, 9)
  • Stargate – music production (track 8)
  • Carl Falk – music production (track 12), programming (track 12)
  • Rami Yacoub – music production (track 12), programming (track 12)
  • Babydaddy – additional production (track 3)
  • Mitch Allan – vocal production (tracks 3, 7, 8)
  • Peter Carlsson – vocal production (tracks 4, 13)
  • Gustaf Thörn – assistant production (track 10), assistant engineering (tracks 5, 10, 11), string arrangement (track 5), synth programming (track 11)
  • Sam Holland – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 4, 13)
  • Jonas Thander – horn arrangement (track 1)
  • Isaiah Tejada – additional programming (track 3)
  • Spencer Bastian – additional programming (track 3)
  • Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy – engineering (track 4)
  • Dann Pursey – engineering (tracks 6, 9)
  • Chris Laws – engineering (tracks 6, 9), additional engineering (track 7)
  • Cory Bice – engineering (track 13)
  • Mattias Bylund – strings arrangement (tracks 4, 13)
  • Daniela Rivera – additional engineering (track 8), assistant engineering (track 8)
  • Mag – FX programming (track 10), drum programming (track 10)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (tracks 1-7, 9-13)
  • Phil Tan – mixing (track 8)
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Jake Schmugge - vocal production / Writing credits (Tracks 1-7, 9-12
  • Randy Merrill – assistant mastering
Creativity and management

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  • Mio Vukovic – A&R
  • Sarah Yeo – A&R coordination
  • Philymack – management
  • Sandy Brummels – creative direction
  • Todd Russell – art direction and design
  • Jessica Kelly – additional packaging design
  • Yu Tsai – photography

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Brazil (ABPD)[68] 2× Platinum 80,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[69] Gold 30,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

List of release dates, formats, label, editions and reference
Date Format(s) Label Edition(s) Ref.
October 16, 2015
  • Standard
  • Deluxe
 [40]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sources regarding the contemporary hit radio release:
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ name="MC">Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 All citations concerning the release of Confident:
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Demi Lovato – Confident" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Demi Lovato – Confident" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Demi Lovato – Confident" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
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  48. ↑ "Demi Lovato – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Demi Lovato. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 201543 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data.
  50. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Demi Lovato – Confident" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ "Greekcharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  55. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 43, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Mexicancharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  58. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  61. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Demi Lovato – Confident". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  65. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  66. ↑ "Demi Lovato – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Demi Lovato. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
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  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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