[7] The song incorporates pop and soul influences, and is centered on a piano melody, with a stripped-down production aimed at highlighting Lovato's vocals.

She also added that "Stone Cold" "is the type of song that I wanted people to feel in their hearts and ripped their guts out.

"[15] Christina Garibaldi of MTV praised Lovato's vocals, claiming that she had "reached new heights" on the song, as well as her emotional delivery.

[19] The music video shows Lovato at various locations, such as snowy mountains and a bathtub clothed, singing in a depressive manner.

[21] On October 17, 2015, she performed "Stone Cold", as well as a medley of "Cool for the Summer" and "Confident" on Saturday Night Live during the series' forty-first season.

[14][22] Furthermore, "Stone Cold" was a part of Lovato's setlist at the 2015 106.1 KISS FM Fall Ball on November 14, 2015.

[23] On December 11, 2015, she performed the song at Billboard Women in Music 2015 event in New York City where she was honored with the first Rulebreaker Award.

[29] The next day, she gave another rendition of the song at the 3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards joined by Brad Paisley on guitar.