Confident is the fifth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on October 16, 2015, by Hollywood, Island and Safehouse Records. The album features guest appearances from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American rapper Sirah. While Lovato co-wrote most of the songs on the album, she worked with writers and producers such as Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Steve Mac, Rami and Stargate, among others. Musically, Confident is primarily a pop, dance and electropop record with influences of R&B, soul, EDM and urban.
Confident received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its themes. Its lead single, "Cool for the Summer", was released on July 1, 2015, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and being certified 2× Platinum by RIAA. The second single, "Confident", premiered on September 18, 2015, and peaked at number 21 on the Hot 100 and was certified 3× Platinum by RIAA. The third and final single, "Stone Cold", peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Following its release, the album debuted at number one in Canada, while reaching the top 10 in fifteen other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The album was further promoted with a concert tour co-headlined with Nick Jonas, entitled the Future Now Tour.
Confident was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, marking Lovato's first career Grammy nomination.
Background and development
After releasing her fourth studio album Demi in May 2013, Lovato confirmed in February 2014 that she was working on her fifth studio effort, stating, "The sound just evolves into everything that I've been and everything that I want to become." Lovato also said, "I've never been so sure of myself as an artist when it comes down to confidence, but not only personal things, but exactly what I want my sound to be and what I know I'm capable of and this album will give me the opportunity to show people what I can really do." The following October, Lovato's then-manager confirmed to Billboard that she had "done some songs, but certainly the majority of it will kick off next year", following her Demi World Tour.
In February 2015, Lovato teased the album with a number of posts on Twitter, writing: "I've never been more confident in my sound. Never been so sure of who I am as an artist. Never felt this hungry and driven." Lovato further described the album as "very authentic to who I am". In June 2015, Lovato confirmed that she had been in the studio almost every day and would be releasing new music "very soon". Lovato revealed to MTV News: "This time around, I was able to explore different sounds, and hone in [sic] on something that I'm really proud of." Lovato also expressed wishes to work with rapper Iggy Azalea on the album.
Recording and production
For Confident, Lovato worked with music producers such as Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Ali Payami, Jason Evigan, Johan Carlsson, Steve Mac, Stargate, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, Babydaddy and Peter Carlsson. Discussing the album's direction, Lovato told Ryan Seacrest that "I'm no longer serious", stating: "I'm done with the sob stories. New chapter, new life, new album, new single — this is a completely new Demi." She also revealed that it would feature "a lot of provocative songs". The first songs "Confident" and "Cool for the Summer" among with "Stars" and "Mr. Hughes" were recorded at MXM Studios, Chalice Studios, Westlake Audio Studios in Los Angeles, California and Wolf Cousins Studios and Kinglet Studios in Stockholm. Lovato co-wrote both tracks with Martin, Kotecha, Alexander Erik, Payami and Salmazadeh. The horn arrangement from "Confident" was provided by musician Jonas Thander. The songs were both mixed by Serban Ghenea and mastered by Tom Coyne. Others songs of the album also were recorded at Rokstone Studios and The Hide Out Studios in London, United Kingdom. "For You" was one of the first songs recorded for the album, describing how it was working with the producer Max Martin in the song's production, Lovato revealed, "I was just so excited to get to work with Max Martin on this song and his camp. I was so nervous when I went in. I wanted to put my everything into that performance because I knew that I was given the opportunity that I waited for for so many years to be able to work with somebody like him."