With one of her most lewd hits to date, Demi Lovato has taken over the summer with her latest anthem, "Cool for the Summer." The "Heart Attack" admits she's writing music from a more emotional stand point, drawing influences from her relationship with her late father and previous health issues. The track is featured on her fifth studio album Confident, slated for release on October 16.
"There are definitely sexy songs," she said, Entertainment Weekly notes. "But the ones that ended up making the album are very soulful."
Fans won't see an ensemble of power ballads like "Skyscraper" or pop hits like "Give Your Heart A Break" on this release. The former Sonny With A Chance star called on inspiration from some of her favorite female artists including Paramore's Hayley Williams and Pat Benetar. "Pat was one of my big influences growing up," she said. "There's not a lot of powerful female vocalists in the rock industry. I really looked up to Hayley, too, because she's totally like Pat Benatar. And I don't want to see rock-influenced music fade."
The appeal crosses over to "Cool for the Summer," which Lovato refers to as her "80s rock ballad from the future." She won't allow her rock knowledge and reminiscing to prevent her from creating hit after hit. "I used to be a music snob," she continued. "I never listened to the radio-I listened to stuff you've never heard of. But you can be super talented, but if you don't have a hit song you won't get that level of success." Perhaps she brought out Iggy Azalea during Sunday's 2015 MTV Video Music Awards for that very reason.
The 23-year-old pop sensation added that she's trying a new approach with one track by featuring a gospel choir. "I really go there with my vocals, soulfully"--while another cut showcases her "Motown-influenced side." She has also dedicated a song to her late father, Patrick, who died in 2013. "It's extremely raw [but] I definitely had some closure [with that song]," she admitted.
Lovato has struggled with personal demons concerning bipolar disorder and addiction in the past, but she decided to channel her learning experiences into the latest album. "I feel very secure in who I am as an artist and as a person," she said. "I never write songs that are about things I don't relate to. I won't be able to sing it if I don't mean it."
According to Spin, Lovato, The Weeknd and Miley Cyrus will be musical guests for Saturday Night Live's newest season following its summer hiatus.
