A wise person once said, “Who said, I can’t wear my converse with my dress? Oh, baby, that’s just me.” That wise person is none other than Demi Lovato. From her career as a Disney star to dominating charts as a pop icon, Lovato has plenty more wisdom to impart.

Lovato’s voice is a force to be reckoned with. Time and time again, Lovato tops the charts with each full-length project she releases, and her new release, “Holy Fvck,” is no exception.

In a time where everyone is seemingly holding onto the last of their nostalgia, Lovato came in full force with the sounds of the 2000s. Songs such as “FREAK” and “SKIN OF MY TEETH” are wrought with both nostalgia and introspection as Lovato reflects on her struggles with rehab, media torment, abusive relationships and identity.

The sounds are all too familiar. Lovato transports the listener back in time, bringing in a pop-punk style that we’ve long been missing from Lovato. She starts off strong with “FREAK,” an ode to grunge rock with lyrics that incite degradation. While YUNGBLUD’s feature on the track seems wholly unnecessary, his vocals are so soft and so few that it’s easy to forget that he’s even part of the song. 

“SKIN OF MY TEETH” also has a vintage sound. Right off the bat, Lovato sings, “Demi leaves rehab again, when is this shit gonna end?” It’s evident that Lovato doesn’t plan on concealing her struggles with addiction — especially after the onslaught of media coverage while she was in rehab.

“29” is easily one of the best songs on the album. Lovato’s voice truly shines as she goes through the flaws and unmatched power balances in a relationship with a large age difference. While there have been suspicions about who Lovato is singing about, those details should not detract from Lovato’s powerful vocal work and lyrics she poured into this track.

Lovato’s promising return showcases her vocal talent while giving listeners a sense of nostalgia. If pop-punk is truly destined to make a comeback, then let Lovato lead the way with “Holy Fvck.”