Artist: Avril Lavigne
Review: Avril Lavigne
Release Date: 4/11/13
Three months after releasing fourth album ‘Goodbye Lullaby’ in 2011, Avril Lavigne had already penned new music for her fifth studio album. Two-years later the Canadian songbird has introduced her latest eponymously named LP ‘Avril Lavigne‘ where she returns to her punky, attitude-filled tunes explored in hit-seller ‘The Best Damn Thing’.
To kick the record off, we see the star cheer the importance of living life to the full in ‘Rock n Roll’ where we truly hear Lavigne ‘rock’ out against the heavy drums and thrilling eletric guitar solo. It’s a must that you check out the video where the singer goes all out with an epic that doesn’t necessarily make sense but thoroughly entertains. Similarly, anthemic lead single ‘Here’s To Never Growing Up’ emphasises Lavigne’s recurring theme of being young at heart, the track very reminiscent of debut single ‘Complicated’, the track warying on being ‘safe’ for Lavigne’s career but is indeed a pleasing listen.
Again, Lavigne continues the nostalgic theme of the album through ’17’, a noteworthy track where she creates the relatable teenage romance song that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Taylor Swift album. Lavigne then tones it down through the acoustic ‘Bitchin’ Summer’ and haunting ballad ‘Let Me Go’, a duet with Lavigne’s husband Chad Kroeger which supposely reflects the journies the singer has gone through in her relationships.
‘Give You What You Like’ continues the slow pace offering a melancholic sound to the record, but doesn’t resemble the Avril we’ve come to know. The same goes for ‘Bad Girl’ which drowns in its own excessive production, not forgetting Marilyn Manson’s disturbing feature.
Things immediately get playful as Lavigne’s next song ‘Hello Kitty’ exudes naughtiness while also paying homage to her abundant Japanese following. When I say naughty check these lyrics out: “Let’s play truth or dare now, we can roll around in our underwear how”. The beat however is completely addictive just as ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ draws the listener in, it’s a definite struggle not to tap your foot.
‘Sippin’ on Sunshine’ and ‘Hello Heartache’ follow, Lavigne executing them in her own edgy style, however these fillers do fall flat in memorability. The singer does redeem herself though with ‘Falling Fast’, her voice completely soothing as she chants her feelings of infatuation. The album’s concluding song ‘Hush Hush‘, allows the singer to keep it simple, her sensitivity highlighted as you can tell she means every single word, bringing the album to a delicate and graceful close.
Although inconsistent in places, there are definite masterpieces in Avril’s fifth full-length such as ’17’, ‘Falling Fast’ and ‘Hush Hush’. You can’t help but question whether the star can get away with ‘never growing up’ when so close to reaching the age of 30, but no matter what, Avril Lavigne is a forced to be reckoned with in the music industry and this album is just another step in her artistry.
7/10
Reviewer: Joe Hopkins
