Growing young, growing old

The two artists today have new albums that showcase where they are today, and why their respective careers will further blossom, or find new direction. Frenchman David Guetta continues his hot streak, while Demi Lovato is out to prove there’s life after Camp Rock.

David Guetta — Nothing But the Beat (Virgin Records). A DJ in the ’80s and ’90s, and a house music producer, this is Guetta’s fifth studio album, and it’s a double CD, with one CD showcasing his rock influences (he loves Coldplay and the Kings of Leon) on club music, with a host of guest vocalists; and the second CD features his electronic/ambient music — highlights being the tracks Sunshine and Toy Story. And of course, the CD with vocals will spawn the hits, Where the Girls Are with Florida and Nicki Minaj, Without You with Usher, and I loved Titanium with Sia and I Can Only Dance with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. The Guetta runaway train picks up speed with this release. 

Demi Lovato — Unbroken (Hollywood Records). On this third studio album of Lovato, her first since rehab, she truly breaks ranks with her Camp Rock persona, and stakes her claim to be considered as a legitimate adult recording star. Filled with dance-y R&B club music, Lovato enlists heavyweights Missy Elliot and Timbaland on the opener All Night Long. She joins Dev on Who’s That Boy, and has Iyaz on board for You’re My Only Shorty. The most effective collaboration would be Jason Derulo on Together, and when stripped of these guest stars, I found Mistake and Skyscraper the more enjoyable tracks. She shows a lot of promise on this album, so there must be life post-Camp.