Substance (song)

"Substance" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released through Island Records on July 15, 2022, as the second single from her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck (2022). She co-wrote the track with Jutes, Laura Veltz, and its producers Alex Niceforo, Keith Sorrells, and Warren "Oak" Felder. It is a pop-punk and rock track, incorporating guitars and drums. The lyrics of the song include a criticism of the contemporary society.

An accompanying Cody Critcheloe-directed music video was released alongside the song. To promote "Substance", Lovato realized live performances on the television programs Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as on her seventh concert tour, the Holy Fvck Tour, between August and November 2022. She also performed it at several festivals.

Background
Demi Lovato released the initial teaser for "Substance" on June 29, 2022. The teaser, posted in the form of a video on Instagram, features Lovato singing over the track. The teaser was posted two weeks after the release of her previous song, "Skin of My Teeth", the lead single of Holy Fvck. The song's cover artwork has been described as "abstract". It shows Lovato "sitting at the base of a circular opening, as black sludge spills out".

Composition and lyrics
"Substance" has been described as a "raucous", "anthemic pop-punk" song. The "rock" genre has also been used as a descriptor for "Substance". Lovato sings loudly over guitars and drums inspired by the earlier years of punk music. The lyrics present in the song are a direct criticism of contemporary society, as well as evoking Lovato's previous drug-related problems and mental health problems.

Music video
A music video for "Substance" was directed by Cody Critcheloe and released along with the song. In the video, Lovato "wreaks havoc on" different pieces, such as a gold certification award and a wall, which she vandalizes by spray-painting the title of her album, Holy Fvck, on it. There are references to different controversial issues in her life, such as unfair treatment by record labels, attacks on her physical appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity and drug use, which is alluded to in a scene where she stumbles into a "This Is Your Brain on Drugs" PSA. It also contains similarities to the video clip of the song "La La Land", from the album Don't Forget (2008).

At the end of the video, Paris Hilton makes a cameo appearance and sets off a stick of dynamite, as her and Lovato are seated on a motorcycle together. Lovato impersonator Demetria Cherry appears in the video as well.

It was ranked by Paper Magazine as one of the best music videos of 2022.

Live performances
"Substance" was premiered on July 14, 2022, the day prior to the song's release, on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She also performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 17, 2022.

Credits and personnel
Obtained from Lovato's official website.
 * Demi Lovato – vocals, songwriting
 * Warren "Oak" Felder – production, songwriting, recording, programming, keyboards
 * Keith "Ten4" Sorrells – songwriting, co-production, programming, guitar, bass, drums
 * Alex Niceforo – songwriting, co-production, guitar
 * Jutes – songwriting
 * Laura Veltz – songwriting
 * Oscar Linnander – recording, production assistance,
 * Manny Marroquin – mixing
 * Chris Galland – mixing engineering
 * Zach Pereyra – mixing engineering
 * Anthony Vilchis – mixing engineering
 * Chris Gehringer – mastering