Demi Lovato is back with new music, but her surprise single has left some fans concerned.
On Thursday, the pop star shared Sober on her social media accounts with the accompanying message “My Truth.”
The lyric video for the haunting ballad begins with imagery of a morning-after hangover and a montage of video and photos from Lovato’s past before giving away to the meat of the song.
“Momma, I’m so sorry/I’m not sober anymore,” Lovato sings on chorus. “And Daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor. To the ones who never left me... We’ve been down this road before. I’m so sorry, I’m not sober anymore.”
Lovato has been candid about her previous struggles with mental illness, as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
In the 2017 documentary Simply Complicated, the singer detailed her history of cocaine and alcohol addiction and her five and a half years of sobriety.
“You really have to lean into the people that are trying to support you,” Lovato said in the film. “You really have to surrender because that’s when the change is gonna happen.”
It’s unclear whether Sober is illustrating where Lovato is these days, or whether she’s channeling her emotions from her previous struggles.
Within the song, the former Disney star apologises to both her fans and herself: “And I’m sorry for the fans I lost. Who watched me fall again. I wanna be a role model. But I’m only human.
“I’m sorry that I’m here again. I promise I’ll get help. It wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry to myself,” she sings.
