"Give Your Heart a Break" Demi Lovato

After a turbulent 2010 that saw her entering rehab at the age of 18, ex-Disney star Demi Lovato made a triumphant return last summer with the inspirational ballad "Skyscraper." Now comes follow-up single "Give Your Heart a Break," an uplifting love song that represents Lovato's first step on the road back to pop star normalcy. For the most part, it's a highly successful effort. On the verses, her rich, husky voice soars, and it's great to hear her sounding happy again after so much personal trouble. But despite an enormous (and enormously appealing) hook, the overly glossy production on the chorus creates an emotional wall with the listener. Lovato's team should trust in the vulnerability and imperfection that she displays in glimpses during the middle eight, which possess a powerful poignancy even in this joyful context. B