“Don’t Click Play” to singer-songwriter, Ava Max’s newest album, unless you’re ready to click replay, because as the lyrics in the first track state, ‘you gon’ like it, love it, want it every night, DJ don’t click that.’
With her signature dance-pop style, Ava returns with the addicting beats that make you want to put some shades on and jump and dance immediately whether in your room or at the club you will get up and on your feet.
After jumping in the first track, you’ll want to fly in the second with “How Can I Dance.” This slightly slower dance paced track asks someone ‘How can I dance when you tie my hands up?” Ava feels like a bird locked in a cage, as in someone simply tying her up for their own ego, as she states ‘Cause I'm better off dancing alone, while you're spending the night with your own ego, Baby, now all you get is the ghost when I leave.’ Ava finally breaks the chains and flies freely. The synth-wave piano sound fits perfectly as through you are flying high in the sky.
As you’re flying you feel the wind in the next track “Lovin Myself” with more ’80s beat synth-waves. In this track, Ava recognizes she doesn’t need love from anyone but herself and she shines brighter than ever because of her own self love. This track is perfect to listen to after being healed from any heartbreak and knowing your self worth.
After healing from heartbreak they say ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ but Ava says ‘what don’t kill you makes you hotter,’ in the fourth track, “Sucks to Be my Ex.” She feels no sympathy or remorse for an ex and wonders ‘cause after me, where do you go next? It must suck to be my ex, seeing me out, dancing in this dress. You don't know what you got 'til it's gone, or what you got 'til it's done, And now I'm doing whatever I want.’ Her closure to an ex is that the relationship is over and it must suck for them.
With the next two tracks “Wet, Hot American Dream” and “Take My Call” Ava feels a new love, where she is seeking attention, wanting to get know someone and their dirty secrets. Both of these songs bring heat like a hot summer day and going back in time doing aerobics and dance-based workouts like in the ‘80s.
Love or any new connection will always have its lessons and it may never last forever. In a more sorrowful sentiment, Ava sings ‘You think you really know somebody, But all you rеally know is their name. You think it's gonna last forever, you’re only just a pawn in the game. You let them in your life, back into the knife. They take away your love and then take your life. Just when you think you really know somebody.' In the next track, the sorrowful sentiments continue with “Lost Your Faith” as she shares a relationship continues to break and it has come to a point where it can no longer be saved. This person has lost their faith on Ava and chooses to stop fighting for their relationship. This track brings more guitars and Biblical phrases including ‘hallelujah’ and ‘holy.’
Ava begs this person should try to save their relationship. In “Fight for Me” she pleads ‘Let's go, baby, fight for me. Before I walk out that door, boy, give me somethin' more.’ With a more sensual feeling she continues by saying ‘So fight for me, want your hands up and down me, you can't live without me. Let's go, baby, fight for me.’ This song will surprisingly make you want to dance break or feel as if you're in a dance battle or in a sexy dance with someone.
With confidence Ava states she’s got “Skin in the Game.” With this more upbeat track, she doesn’t want to let go and sings ‘I’m not gonna wait anymore. Every time I think that I'm okay, I end up back at your place 'cause I've got skin in the game.’ The track ends with no vocals and violins playing.
Violins are the main instruments in next track, as the name of the songs hints, “Worlds Smallest Violin.” With the return of dance and electric sounds as the in the first tracks, Ava brings a mature and assertive stance with lyrics, ‘I'm up here like, ‘What would Jesus do?’ Forget and forgive him watch me dance, lost your chance. Now I won't hold your hand. Boy, this ain't therapy, don't come here cryin’. Words don't mean shit to mе when it's all lyin’ Sing your heartbreak symphony whilе I play the world's smallest violin.' Ava won’t hold anybody’s hand and for her, another man has bite the dust.
The ‘80s synth-wave beats returns in the final track along with playful piano tunes. “Catch my Breath,” is a breath of fresh air and a song that would be played in the car in a late night drive down the city lights. Ava sings by saying ‘Get in the car, take me down to the boulevard. Shut up and drive, we can ride all through the night. Into the day, screaming my name.’ The beat goes faster as the feeling of the car is accelerating. In the chorus, she sings ‘Oh, hunnid on the dash, you give me chills down the back of my neck. And I can't catch my breath, can't catch my breath. We're driving, we're driving over the edge.' As the song ends the beat slows down as the speed of the care decreases and she ends with ‘You can keep me up, keep me up all night. Hanging off the edge of the Hollywood sign.’
After playing the album, you’ll want to catch your own breath, because as mentioned in the beginning, it’s replayable ‘you gon’ want it every night’ so don’t click play unless you dare.
Keep up with Ava Max and her addicting tunes here:
