After that honeymoon where you exhaust the first single of a new album, “Give Your Heart a Break.” Turn to cultivate the songs that will become equally treasured (if not more, only because they haven’t—and may never be—radio-absorbed). Demi Lovato’s “Lightweight” has the elements of every schmaltzy pop ballad I ever loved growing up (those I would croon to in my bedroom after school, gown donned, hairbrush in hand, Mariah Carey’s “Hero” on repeat).

It starts off contemplative, relatively minimalist (small, quiet), until a droning bass steps it slightly up at :45, pushing her to push a little harder. A bass drum kicks her into first chorus at 1:00 and she’s belting for real now—but still in a far away anthemic kind of way. 1:30, and a full rhythmic instrumental background (with background singers!) hooks in. I’m basically in pre-chorus utopia now. Violins! Haaarmonies! Faaaall.

Bridge (Down, drowned in your love, it’s almost too much, handle with care, say you’ll be there…) tips at first, and then confidently slides, into final chorus

to my favourite moment: 3:11-3:25. Holy shit, right? 

Then like nothing happened, fade out: Keep me from falling apart.