Do you miss the early 2010s radio? The era of Gaga before she was more into movies and Katy Perry before her therapy on public documentary era? Do you just want earwormy, catchy pop to return instead of the rabid bass thumping of Finneas or the retro reverb of Antonoff?
Look no further, Ava Max is everything you want. In the kindest way possible, she truly offers nothing new to the table of pop music. But I am a sucker for this kind of pop, and she just has the voice for it. When the singles for this were coming out, I was more excited. Heaven & Hell was such a fun good pop record. I expect nothing less from this record.
This album has been marketed as a pop album to dance you through a heartbreak, after her herself having experienced one. I will obviously be the judge of these as usual.
The album begins with single "Million Dollar Baby", a poppy confidence anthem. I am too easily attracted to pop anthems that no matter how low your self-esteem is, they make you feel like you are THAT person that stops the room. It was definitely one of my favorites of the singles.
"Sleepwalker" is a slight shift from what I expect from her. Has a little darker of a tone. A bit more like Belladonna. Definitely ear wormy, will get stuck in your head for a while.
"Maybe You're the Problem" has solid verses, but the chorus felt a little lacking in the lyric department. I do enjoy the track, but after more of the singles released, this felt like a weaker link of the album. I was not going to judge the album from this strictly as my least favorite track from her debut is in fact the lead single and major hit from it, "Sweet but Psycho".
"Ghost" lyrically discusses some of the vulnerability of being in love and having them never leave your mind. While it is lovely, it is also frightening as you realize how easily they can become a bad memory.
"Hold Up (Wait a Minute)" is definitely the breakup point. Realizing that he is cheating and feels like a fight scene. I like the build up.
"Weapons" felt like the weakest single, but in the wake of the concept of the album it flows a bit better. It makes sense to come right after the "fight scene" track of the album.
"Diamonds & Dancefloors" seems like escapism from the pain. She misses the things that made her feel special and happy.
"In the Dark" shifts the sound a little again, in a shift we have not heard too much of since Sleepwalker. She is condemning her lover for not being consistent.
"Turn Off the Lights" is definitely shifting back to the early part of knowing your worth and enjoying yourself.
As with most heartbreak, going to the escapism will only temporarily stop the thoughts. "One of Us" discusses lovers who don't love each other the same way consistently. I feel this was the strongest single of the album myself.
"Get Outta My Heart" takes us back to the breakup. Back to the fight scene and trying to get this person out of her life and heart at this point.
"Cold as Ice" is definitely how you feel after the residuals of a bad breakup. I am so bad you know, so cold, you don't affect me! We all know it is crap but it is definitely a feeling.
After being so cold, she is now hoping someone will love her like there's no tomorrow. "Last Night on Earth" adds a softer tone to the album I like.
The album's closer is "Dancing's Done", I love the closer seems to show her opening to a new lover and giving her heart again.
LYRICS: 6/10 - Okay, so there's nothing particularly new, eye opening, ear dropping here. The lyrics do not hinder the songs and sometimes falls on the shallow side.
MUSIC: 7/10 - While I love the dance-pop, others may not and there's nothing but upbeat dance pop on this album. Some may find it a bit monotonous, as it changes little throughout. If you like the sound and you liked her debut, you'll still like this.
OVERALL: 7/10 - Honestly, for earwormy pop, I am a high level fan. I actually think conceptually this album is stronger than her debut. Her debut was very fun but song wise a bit all over the place in themes. This one was consistent and told a story of falling in love, losing love, coping, and then refinding love in her own way. I like it when an artist can actually stick to the concept and don't just pull things out of air to convince you the album is good. Highly recommend it if you love a good pop album. Just don't go expecting some amazing life-changing instrumentation here.
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