Pittsburgh-based pop artist Demi Michelle is back and better than ever with her bold and heartfelt 8-track sophomore album titled Hear Me Out.
From her debut album, Dear Diary, to her award-winning EP, It Is What It Is, Demi has consistently shown her ability to connect with listeners on a profoundly emotional yet fun level. Her music has earned countless recognition and accolades, including multiple nominations at the Josie Music Awards and the ISSA Awards, setting the tone for her new album, Hear Me Out.
Michelle reflects on the project, “For most of my life, I remained quiet and held back from speaking my mind about certain topics and experiences I’ve had. Now, I’m in a place where I feel confident and ready to use my voice through my music.”
Kicking off the album is the intro track “I’m Introverted, So What?,” a declaration of self-acceptance that sets the tone for what’s to come. The song’s upbeat melody and catchy lyrics celebrate individuality and how it's totally fine to seek the corner in a crowded room. It's an engaging anthem for anyone who's ever felt misunderstood.
Track two, “Passive Aggressive,” dives into the complexities of young relationships and the frustrations that come with it. With its driving rhythm and biting lyrics, the song captures the tension of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. This spicy and blunt track received a nomination for Songwriter Achievement at the Josie Music Awards, and it continues making waves today.
The third track, “Quiet,” offers a more introspective moment on the album. Here, Demi explores the power and necessity of finding peace amidst the chaos of life. The soothing instrumentals paired with Demi’s gentle vocals create a serene atmosphere, inviting listeners to pause and reflect on the power of silence and the impact you can have without making a sound.
On the album's midway point with track four, “Make Time," this song brings a refreshing reminder of the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. The song’s upbeat tempo and honest lyrics make it a standout track, and Demi's words are deeply relatable. It's a classic case of "If they wanted to, they would," as she sings, "If you really cared, you'd make time."
Track five, “Rain on My Parade,” is where Demi’s fearless honesty shines brightest. This track confronts the negativity and doubt that others project, turning it into a powerful statement of resilience that she won't be taken down. The energetic beat and bold lyrics are incredibly empowering, inviting the haters to do their worst while Demi soars above.
“Future of Yesterday” continues the theme of reflection as Demi looks back on the past to make sense of the present. The song’s thoughtful lyrics and nostalgic melody create a bittersweet tone, offering an emotional and intimate look at how far she has come as an artist and a human. She makes crucial realizations that she's living the life she wishes to live, emphasizing the importance of gratitude with each day.
What feels like the opening of a cinematic fairytale is "Kind Heart," a finalist for USA Female Single of the Year at the ISSA Awards. It's a tender flute ballad that highlights Demi’s softer side, accompanied by delicate piano and her heartfelt lyrics. She realizes that being the bigger person isn't always sunshine and rainbows—it's a journey that only the strongest can navigate.
Landing on the album's eighth and outro track, “Kaleidoscope,” we're met with a vibrant and colorful listening experience that brings all the themes of the album together. With its uplifting feel and message about keeping hope for a brighter day, Demi reflects on the shades of feelings she endures while acknowledging that life is a kaleidoscope, and we're made to embrace it.
Do yourself a favor and take a listen to Demi Michelle’s inspiring new album, Hear Me Out, now available on all digital streaming platforms.
Your new album, Hear Me Out, is incredibly empowering. What inspired you to create this deeply personal and honest project?
I experienced a major evolution from writing my debut album, Dear Diary, and award-winning EP, It Is What It Is. Because of that, I’m finally in a place where I feel comfortable being unapologetically honest in my music. The eight songs on Hear Me Out spotlight themes and topics that can’t be found in any of my other music. I made a conscious decision to take this project in a totally new direction and wanted the thread of empowerment to be woven through the lyrics.
Hear Me Out is bold, fierce, and direct, each song delivering a clear message, from acknowledging how there’s power in silence to recognizing the challenges that come along with being a kind person. I’m definitely showing a new side of myself on the album, and I’ve never felt more ready to share the Hear Me Out chapter with my Butterflies.
Each track on Hear Me Out carries its own unique message. How did you choose the themes for each song, considering they had to relate to the album's core concept?
The first song I wrote for the album was “Quiet,” and the lyric, “I don’t have to use my voice for you to hear me out,” gave me a whole concept idea for my new album. Once I had the title, I began reflecting on my life and recent experiences that I have kept to myself. Various emotions, situations, and realizations bubbled to the surface, and I plunged into the songwriting process with the intent of opening up about things I never had before.
The core themes of the songs can be heard in the lyrics, almost like direct statements:
I’m introverted, so what? There’s a name for indirectly killing my vibe. Why don’t you go and look it up? It’s passive-aggressive. I’m loudest when I’m quiet. If you really cared, you’d make time the way that I make time for you. You can’t rain on my parade. There’s fire in my veins.
Don’t wish away your future of yesterday. It’s kinda hard having a kind heart. Every day is made up of different colors ‘cause life’s a kaleidoscope.
The tracklist shows my acceptance of who I am as an introvert, the way I spoke up about toxic situations, deep reflection on kindness and being present, and finally, the realization that life is like a kaleidoscope, ever-changing. Also, fun fact: the first lyric on the album is “I love butterflies, but I’m not the social kind,” and the last track is “Kaleidoscope,” which is what a group of butterflies is called. Since butterflies are a huge part of my brand, I’m always finding creative ways to draw symbolism into my songwriting journey.
“Kind Heart” in Hear Me Out has already received ample recognition. What was the process like creating this beautiful ballad?
“Kind Heart” is one of my favorite songs I have ever written and definitely one of the most vulnerable. One day, I was doing a lot of reflecting on the challenges that come along with being kind, and the chorus immediately popped into my head.
If it’s true that kindness doesn’t cost a thing,
Then why do I feel like I’ve spent everything?
They say being nice goes a long way,
But a thousand miles wouldn’t change how it’s kinda hard having a kind heart.
After I wrote the song, I took a lot of time to compose the piano accompaniment. With my classical music background, it was important for me to capture the song’s emotion in the accompaniment. When I was recording in the studio, I kept playing it until I got it exactly how I wanted in one take.
I have to give a huge shoutout to my wonderful flutist, Anna O’Malley. As soon as I recorded the piano and vocals for “Kind Heart,” I knew I wanted flute on the song. Anna brought her magic to the ballad, and I truly can’t thank her enough for being part of “Kind Heart.”
I’m so glad I released “Kind Heart” as the album’s lead single. This is a very special one to me, and it will always be a favorite.
How does Hear Me Out reflect your growth as an artist since your debut album, Dear Diary?
As I mentioned earlier, I have experienced a huge evolution. When I wrote and recorded Dear Diary, I was new to songwriting and being an artist. For that reason, there was a self-discovery aspect to the album. I was also dealing with a lot of insecurities and difficult emotions at the time, so Dear Diary is a very reflective and introspective project.
Hear Me Out couldn’t be more polar opposite. I have grown so much as a songwriter, artist, and person since my debut days. Since I write authentically, my new music naturally reflects my evolution. Over the years, I have developed my skills as a songwriter, discovered my sound, learned production alongside my amazing producer, Bob McCutcheon, and, most importantly, became more confident in myself as a whole. I’ll always love Dear Diary, though, because without that album, I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am now.
What do you hope your listeners take away from Hear Me Out? What emotions or thoughts do you want to leave them with?
I would love my Butterflies to feel empowered to use their voices. Everyone deserves to be heard and understood, and it would be incredible if my choice to speak my mind on the album inspires others to do the same. I kept things bottled up for a long time, but now, I’m turning to my music to share my story. We all have a voice for a reason, and it takes strength and courage to use it fully. Now that I have used mine on this album, there’s no going back.
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