POPLine reviews Head Above Water
Feb 2, 2019 0:06:38 GMT
via mobile
sam, Jinkxx, and 6 more like this
Post by Amanda on Feb 2, 2019 0:06:38 GMT
Translation:
Avril Lavigne will release her 6th album, and first since 2013, ‘Head Above Water’ on February 15th 2019! It took a long time, but it was well worth the wait! POPline had an opportunity to hear the album before the release and we can say that it is VERY good.
The album has been described as something very different to anything Avril has done before. This is correct, but do not worry… it isn’t as different from her past albums as you may expect. Maybe the early singles have scared us in regards to this, especially ‘Tell Me It’s Over’, which is more soul and R&B (while the album is not so much). ‘Head Above Water’ can serve as a reference for the album as a whole in terms of theme, sonority and dramatic charge. Recently, The Guardian newspaper compared it to a sound similar to Lana Del Rey. After listening, I can say that this is incorrect. The tracklist has more ballads, sure, but they are all strong and without that sleepy touch (no offence to Lana Del Rey! I love you!).
Personally, I was very curious about what she would bring with this album. The pop/rock genre is practically non-existent now and the biggest icons from that era have already changed their styles, for example P!nk and Kelly Clarkson. But we were missing Avril, who was absent for so long that she didn’t have the opportunity to make that transition.
However, I think she was able to find her “new” sound very well. It is authentic, strong and won’t scare away her fans accustomed to her previous sound. The author of this article is a journalist specialising in pop music, with this passion ignited by Avril Lavigne. In 2002, when I was only 11, ‘Let Go’ was the first pop CD I bought, marking a special point in my life. This passion continued throughout her later eras until today. Below, I describe each song a little bit. Check it out.
1. Head Above Water
This song is beautiful, as everyone knows. It may not have been the best choice for chart success, but it is vastly significant for her moment of overcoming and returning to the industry. In addition to that, this song represents the album as a whole.
2. Birdie
Despite being different in terms of the rest of the album, fans will most definitely be satisfied with ‘Birdie’. It can be compared to ‘My Happy Ending’, perhaps, by the midtempo beat, but with more intensity. The difference is that there are fewer guitars and more well-marked beats throughout the track. The lyrics speak about freedom, discussed as a bird who simply wishes to fly. The verses are softer and the power comes in the chorus. On the bridge, it is more dramatic with a very muffled voice and an almost trap beat – you can feel the vibration. At the end of this, an explosion comes as she pleads “Set me free!”. Maybe the song will tell you about the years that Avril was pruned by record companies to make the music they wanted instead of what she wanted. ‘Birdie’ is a very striking track that could work very well as a single.
3. I Fell In Love With The Devil
Wait for the impact… In the first few seconds, before she even began to sing, the violin arrangement made me gasp. After that, her vocal sounds angelic, accompanied by a piano. This is a contrast to the theme of the track, where she sings about how she fell in love with the “devil”. This song sounds more mature than ‘Birdie’, but the structure is similar … Softer in the verses, with explosive choruses. “Please save me from this hell” she shouts at the end of the chorus. At this point, the song seems to be turned off from the power outlet, a “shutdown”. These details make the track even more shocking. On the bridge, the intro violence come back and the vocals are brilliant, shivering. Surely this will be a fan favourite.
4. Tell Me It’s Over
I do not agree with the choice of this song as the second single. In addition to not being cohesive with the rest of the album, Avril’s voice doesn’t have the density required for soul songs. Don’t get me wrong, she gets the message across, but it isn’t the strong point of the record. It’s good music, but not a stand out track.
5. Dumb Blonde
Maybe this name isn’t so exciting, but the track is very interesting. This is the first song on the tracklist that has the “cheerleader” touch that Avril explored in her hit, ‘Girlfriend’. It doesn’t have as many guitars though. Imagine a mix of Demi Lovato’s ‘Confident’ with ‘Girlfriend’ and add a dash of ‘Hollaback Girl’ by Gwen Stefani. The lyrics are very empowering, where she reaffirms that she truly is not a dumb blonde.
6. It Was In Me
Don’t misunderstand when I compare to other songs, it doesn’t mean it’s repetitive and has been done before, it’s simply to give you a reference. ‘It Was In Me’ can be compared to ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls, which Avril has sung before. The style is similar, besides the construction of the verses. The track is another intense ballad, and as it is being well used on the album, has very well done beats giving life and a pulse to the song. The lyrics are very intimate as she sings about how she could not always find herself in life, but after so much searching, she realised that everything was inside her. It’s exciting.
7. Souvenir
In the first few seconds, it reminds you of when Rihanna used a sample of ‘I’m With You’ for ‘Cheers (Drink To That), with the repetition of Avril’s “yeah, yeah”. But make no mistake, there is no relation … This is one of the albums stronger ballads, but it has a more upbeat tone. She sings of good times that she wants to take with her into later life, like a “Souvenir”.
8. Crush
This is a song along similar lines as ‘Tell Me It’s Over’, with a more soulful touch. Overall, the album is not too far from everything Avril has released in the past, except for songs like these. The lyrics are about a burning passion. “That look in your eyes drives me crazy” she sings, “I can not live without you”. How passionate!
9. Goddess
This is more acoustic, simply her vocals and a guitar. Similar to ‘Push’, but still even more simple. It’s subtle, but gets the message across. “You treat me like a goddess, you find me so sexy in my pajamas”, she sings, claiming that she’s finally safe with her partner. You can see that this is a more positive album than previously, talking about love or times of overcoming. The soft touch of this song will delight fans.
10. Bigger Wow
This is another moment on the album, but it isn’t exactly danceable. It’s a “good vibes” track, good for relaxing on a sunny weekend or for a roadtrip. I can’t help but compare it to ‘Starving’ by Hailee Steinfeld, Grey and Zedd. The background guitar is very similar, being the exact element that gives me the vibe. It’s a really good track and it raises the mood of the album.
11. Love Me Insane
This song does a great job after the previous one, so its good to hear the album in order. Its nice, fluffy, and brings a good feeling. Although it has instruments like keyboard and drums, everything is used with subtlety. The most striking part is the bridge, when we hear beautiful violence once more. “Baby, lets go crazy, I wanna lose my mind” she sings, not as if it were something bad, but instead very positive.
12. Warrior
This song is perhaps the most anticipated amongst fans, discussing her survival through Lyme disease when at one point she thought she would die. This is the track that leaves you crying at the end of the record. Yes, it’s that shocking. Avril could not be more sincere, strong and determined. “Nothing will stop me now”, she sings. For a long time, she was distant due to health problems but this song makes sure that she is back, stronger and more mature than ever. That’s all this album represents and fans will be proud of this – I’m sure they already are and will be even more after hearing the album in full.
portalpopline.com.br/first-listen-head-above-water-e-um-album-que-representa-uma-nova-avril-lavigne-mas-nao-se-assuste/
Avril Lavigne will release her 6th album, and first since 2013, ‘Head Above Water’ on February 15th 2019! It took a long time, but it was well worth the wait! POPline had an opportunity to hear the album before the release and we can say that it is VERY good.
The album has been described as something very different to anything Avril has done before. This is correct, but do not worry… it isn’t as different from her past albums as you may expect. Maybe the early singles have scared us in regards to this, especially ‘Tell Me It’s Over’, which is more soul and R&B (while the album is not so much). ‘Head Above Water’ can serve as a reference for the album as a whole in terms of theme, sonority and dramatic charge. Recently, The Guardian newspaper compared it to a sound similar to Lana Del Rey. After listening, I can say that this is incorrect. The tracklist has more ballads, sure, but they are all strong and without that sleepy touch (no offence to Lana Del Rey! I love you!).
Personally, I was very curious about what she would bring with this album. The pop/rock genre is practically non-existent now and the biggest icons from that era have already changed their styles, for example P!nk and Kelly Clarkson. But we were missing Avril, who was absent for so long that she didn’t have the opportunity to make that transition.
However, I think she was able to find her “new” sound very well. It is authentic, strong and won’t scare away her fans accustomed to her previous sound. The author of this article is a journalist specialising in pop music, with this passion ignited by Avril Lavigne. In 2002, when I was only 11, ‘Let Go’ was the first pop CD I bought, marking a special point in my life. This passion continued throughout her later eras until today. Below, I describe each song a little bit. Check it out.
1. Head Above Water
This song is beautiful, as everyone knows. It may not have been the best choice for chart success, but it is vastly significant for her moment of overcoming and returning to the industry. In addition to that, this song represents the album as a whole.
2. Birdie
Despite being different in terms of the rest of the album, fans will most definitely be satisfied with ‘Birdie’. It can be compared to ‘My Happy Ending’, perhaps, by the midtempo beat, but with more intensity. The difference is that there are fewer guitars and more well-marked beats throughout the track. The lyrics speak about freedom, discussed as a bird who simply wishes to fly. The verses are softer and the power comes in the chorus. On the bridge, it is more dramatic with a very muffled voice and an almost trap beat – you can feel the vibration. At the end of this, an explosion comes as she pleads “Set me free!”. Maybe the song will tell you about the years that Avril was pruned by record companies to make the music they wanted instead of what she wanted. ‘Birdie’ is a very striking track that could work very well as a single.
3. I Fell In Love With The Devil
Wait for the impact… In the first few seconds, before she even began to sing, the violin arrangement made me gasp. After that, her vocal sounds angelic, accompanied by a piano. This is a contrast to the theme of the track, where she sings about how she fell in love with the “devil”. This song sounds more mature than ‘Birdie’, but the structure is similar … Softer in the verses, with explosive choruses. “Please save me from this hell” she shouts at the end of the chorus. At this point, the song seems to be turned off from the power outlet, a “shutdown”. These details make the track even more shocking. On the bridge, the intro violence come back and the vocals are brilliant, shivering. Surely this will be a fan favourite.
4. Tell Me It’s Over
I do not agree with the choice of this song as the second single. In addition to not being cohesive with the rest of the album, Avril’s voice doesn’t have the density required for soul songs. Don’t get me wrong, she gets the message across, but it isn’t the strong point of the record. It’s good music, but not a stand out track.
5. Dumb Blonde
Maybe this name isn’t so exciting, but the track is very interesting. This is the first song on the tracklist that has the “cheerleader” touch that Avril explored in her hit, ‘Girlfriend’. It doesn’t have as many guitars though. Imagine a mix of Demi Lovato’s ‘Confident’ with ‘Girlfriend’ and add a dash of ‘Hollaback Girl’ by Gwen Stefani. The lyrics are very empowering, where she reaffirms that she truly is not a dumb blonde.
6. It Was In Me
Don’t misunderstand when I compare to other songs, it doesn’t mean it’s repetitive and has been done before, it’s simply to give you a reference. ‘It Was In Me’ can be compared to ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls, which Avril has sung before. The style is similar, besides the construction of the verses. The track is another intense ballad, and as it is being well used on the album, has very well done beats giving life and a pulse to the song. The lyrics are very intimate as she sings about how she could not always find herself in life, but after so much searching, she realised that everything was inside her. It’s exciting.
7. Souvenir
In the first few seconds, it reminds you of when Rihanna used a sample of ‘I’m With You’ for ‘Cheers (Drink To That), with the repetition of Avril’s “yeah, yeah”. But make no mistake, there is no relation … This is one of the albums stronger ballads, but it has a more upbeat tone. She sings of good times that she wants to take with her into later life, like a “Souvenir”.
8. Crush
This is a song along similar lines as ‘Tell Me It’s Over’, with a more soulful touch. Overall, the album is not too far from everything Avril has released in the past, except for songs like these. The lyrics are about a burning passion. “That look in your eyes drives me crazy” she sings, “I can not live without you”. How passionate!
9. Goddess
This is more acoustic, simply her vocals and a guitar. Similar to ‘Push’, but still even more simple. It’s subtle, but gets the message across. “You treat me like a goddess, you find me so sexy in my pajamas”, she sings, claiming that she’s finally safe with her partner. You can see that this is a more positive album than previously, talking about love or times of overcoming. The soft touch of this song will delight fans.
10. Bigger Wow
This is another moment on the album, but it isn’t exactly danceable. It’s a “good vibes” track, good for relaxing on a sunny weekend or for a roadtrip. I can’t help but compare it to ‘Starving’ by Hailee Steinfeld, Grey and Zedd. The background guitar is very similar, being the exact element that gives me the vibe. It’s a really good track and it raises the mood of the album.
11. Love Me Insane
This song does a great job after the previous one, so its good to hear the album in order. Its nice, fluffy, and brings a good feeling. Although it has instruments like keyboard and drums, everything is used with subtlety. The most striking part is the bridge, when we hear beautiful violence once more. “Baby, lets go crazy, I wanna lose my mind” she sings, not as if it were something bad, but instead very positive.
12. Warrior
This song is perhaps the most anticipated amongst fans, discussing her survival through Lyme disease when at one point she thought she would die. This is the track that leaves you crying at the end of the record. Yes, it’s that shocking. Avril could not be more sincere, strong and determined. “Nothing will stop me now”, she sings. For a long time, she was distant due to health problems but this song makes sure that she is back, stronger and more mature than ever. That’s all this album represents and fans will be proud of this – I’m sure they already are and will be even more after hearing the album in full.
portalpopline.com.br/first-listen-head-above-water-e-um-album-que-representa-uma-nova-avril-lavigne-mas-nao-se-assuste/
