Head Above Water
Avril Lavigne · 2019
41 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A heartfelt blend of pop-rock and introspective balladry, exploring personal struggles with vulnerability and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Head Above Water Start here — This title track conveys a powerful message of perseverance through struggles, setting the tone for the entire album with its soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
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I Fell in Love With the Devil — This song stands out with its darker themes and captivating hook, exploring complex emotions related to love and temptation, showcasing Lavigne's lyrical maturity.
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Warrior — Concluding the album, this track powerfully encapsulates Lavigne's journey through pain to empowerment, resonating deeply with listeners who have faced their own battles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines personal themes with solid production but lacks a strong cohesive arc across its length.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow piano melody that gradually builds into a full band arrangement, setting a reflective tone for the album.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo emotional exploration
- heartfelt anthems for self-reflection
- uplifting moments of personal resilience
- introspective ballads for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer instant gratification over depth
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return after a hiatus, showcasing emotional depth and resilience.
- Themes
- Lyme disease struggle· personal resilience
- Career context
- Released on February 15, 2019, 'Head Above Water' marked Avril Lavigne's return after a five-year hiatus due to health issues. This album is her sixth studio release and signifies a shift towards more mature themes, reflecting her personal battles and growth following Lyme disease. It also comes after her self-titled album in 2013, showcasing her evolving artistry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paramore· Fall Out Boy· We Are the In Crowd
Tracklist
- 1 Head Above Water Start here 3:40
- 2 Birdie 3:35
- 3 I Fell in Love With the Devil 4:15
- 4 Tell Me It’s Over 3:08
- 5 Dumb Blonde 3:08
- 6 It Was in Me 3:43
- 7 Souvenir 2:57
- 8 Crush 3:33
- 9 Goddess 3:41
- 10 Bigger Wow 2:55
- 11 Love Me Insane 3:00
- 12 Warrior 3:45
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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