After five years and a face-to-face with death, Avril Lavigne rises like a phoenix together with a new release. Head Above Water is composed of 12 personal songs which guide the listener through an emotional journey around several experiences of her life. Although the Canadian artist exposes her most vulnerable parts, the album is an anthem for empowerment and the ability to overcome the obstacles of life.
The album opens with the single ‘Head Above Water’, a powerful ballad where she reveals her fear of death. The song presents her difficult battle against Lyme disease, as she says: ‘I’m too young to fall asleep’. The lyrics, as well as the video clip, full Catholic connotations, allows the listener understand how important faith was in her fight for life.
Following this ‘Birdie’ and ‘I Fell in Love with The Devil’ narrates the story of a toxic relationship. Both songs throw an empowering message: despite sometimes the heart can be in conflict with the mind, we should never let anything or anyone holds us down. They are followed by her second single, ‘Tell Me It’s Over’, where she reclaims the control of a relationship as it collapses. The soul style of this song brings to mind inspiration singers such as Aretha Franklin or Etta James. The energetic track ‘Dumb Blond’ ft. Nicky Minaj soundly differs from the rest of the album, however, it pays tribute to the old Avril Lavigne. ‘It Was In Me’ is about the realisation that happiness is within. The artist explores her vocal range throughout her work, paying excessive attention to the high pitch, mainly noticed in this track. With ‘Souvenir’, ‘Crush’ or ‘Bigger Now’, she pays tribute to happiness and the belief of second chances not only in love but also in life. ‘Warrior’, a wonderful song of survival, is the last song. Like ‘Head above water’, it talks about her battle against Lyme disease. It is an empowering song which encourages the listener to overcome the adversities and look for happiness.
Every single track helps to create an inspirational aura around the album. It presents a journey through a range of experiences: breaking free from toxic relationships, finding happiness and self-love, giving a second chance to love and winning the battle against death.
[3.5/5 Stars]
Lydia Puntas Salas