"Stone Cold" Is Demi Lovato's Return To Ballads

I'm the first person to rock out to Demi Lovato's "Cool for the Summer" or "Confident," but I noticed her new music seems to be lacking in the classic power ballads we've come to expect from the singer. There's a reason she's known for these types of songs — between her inspirational life and strong vocals, Lovato can throw down an anthem like nobody's business. However, her performance of "Stone Cold" confirms she's not done giving us power ballads yet.

Lovato debuted the new track during her Sept. 29 concert at the Highline Ballroom. With its Motown influence and heavy piano presence, "Stone Cold" is all sorts of amazing. The lyrics add an extra layer of intensity to the track as Lovato sings, "Stone cold, stone cold / You see me standing, but I'm dying on the floor / Stone cold, stone cold / Maybe if I don't cry, I don't feel anymore."

The song appears to describe Lovato's feelings after her ex moved on, as she says, "If happy is her, then I'm happy for you." However, she takes things a step further, sharing the heartbreak that comes with seeing your love with someone else: "You're dancing with her, but I'm staring at my phone / Stone cold, stone cold / I was your amber, but now she's your shade of gold."

"Stone Cold" takes listeners on an emotional journey as Lovato belts the words, scaling octaves and holding notes in a way that's astonishing, even for her. One of Lovato's strengths is her ability to tap into the emotions of her fans, and this song is an excellent example of how she does so. She doesn't rely on production value, instead letting her authenticity and talent take the lead. Seriously, my arms have goosebumps.

I'm such a fan of "Confident" and "Cool for the Summer," but this might be my favorite track off of her fifth album. You can hear "Stone Cold" on Confident when the album drops on Oct. 16.