It's Not That Deep＜Transparent White Noise Static Vinyl＞

As the title suggests, theres no overthinking or hidden subtext on Demi Lovatos ninth album, Its Not That Deep: this is a straightforward blast of dance-pop floor-fillers that immediately pleases the pleasure centers and gets the body sweaty and moving. Pivoting back from her Holy Fvck/Revamped hard rock foray, Lovato is back in her pop zone, a place that has always proven successful in the past. Coming hard and -- as the opening track makes clear -- "Fast," Its Not That Deep rarely lets up over its half-hour run, offering hit after hit of pulsing sonic dopamine. The frantic, synth-washed "Here All Night" is ripe for an 80s movie exercise montage, while the pounding "Frequency" could set an EDM festival crowd on fire. The shimmering "Let You Go" and "Sorry to Myself" give Robyn and Carly Rae Jepsen vibes, just as the skittering "In My Head" drifts into Charli xcx hyperpop territory. In addition to the standouts "Fast" and "Here All Night," the horny "Kiss" is a euphoric house escape that really solidifies this set as one of Lovatos best works. Over in a flash, its the perfect length to be repeated on a loop, extending the party through the night. ~ Neil Z. Yeung