Overall Score: 10/10 Attitude: 10/10 Pop Punk Vibes: 10/10 Collaborations: 9/10 Pros: The mother fucking pop-punk princess is back Cons: We have to wait till 2023 to see the tracks performed live in the UK
It’s been 20 years since Avril Lavigne released her first album Let Go, (yes, 20 years) and here we are writing about her highly anticipated 7th album, Love Sux.
The release is Lavigne’s first album to be put out on her new record label DTA (Travis Barker’s label) and Elektra Records, which are part of Warner Records. Rumours and teasers had been flying all over social media for the last 12 months, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the release of Love Sux – Avril’s return to her pop-punk roots. Oh and spoiler alert – the wait was worth it.
Produced by John Feldmann and MOD SUN, the album also feature the likes of Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus, Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear.
Opening with Canonball the lyrics “Like a ticking time bomb, I’m about to explode” perfectly sums up the anticipation that Avril fans worldwide have had for this album – it’s been a long wait, especially after Covid-19 put a hold on Avril’s world tour, her first since her recovery from Lyme disease. After being teased with multiple posts on social media about the album’s released, it’s now finally here and has definitely exploded on the scene.
Cannonball is instantly catchy and has a pop-punk, yet dance feel to it. You’ll be singing along instantly and dancing around your living/room/home office pretending you’re Avril Lavigne (we see you – don’t deny it).
You’d be forgiven for mistaking that you were listening to a Blink-182 track when you hear the opening of Kiss Me Like The World Is Ending, like much of the album it’s very clear to see where Travis Barker’s influence has worked it’s magic and we love it. The track also has some of Avril’s signature softer vocals and moments in the break down, “do you promise it’s forever, will you meet me up in heaven” echoing some of those deeper, heart-felt moments documented in her Head Above Water and Goodbye Lullabye albums.
It all seems to get even more real when it comes to Avalanche. Prepare to feel shivers and maybe even grab some tissues if you’re a sensitive soul like me, as Avril shares what may be some of her most honest and raw lyrics “I keep trying just to make it to the end of the day, you know I hate it…honestly I can’t shake it, shake it, shake it, yeh honestly I can’t take it. I say that I’m just fine, but I don’t feel alright on the inside”.
This album is full of anthem-worthy tracks like Bite Me, Deju Vu and F.U, which will be pretty damn awesome live, and feature even more dream pop-punk collabs such as All I Wanted (feat. Mark Hoppus) and previous single Love It When You Hate Me (feat. blackbear). The only thing we’re slightly disappointed with is that there are no female collabs!
If we had to compare it to her 6 previous albums we’d say it’s a partial blending of Under My Skin with The Best Damn Thing and more. All-in-all Love Sux is Avril Lavigne at her best.
Check out Love Sux below:
Love Sux, the new album from Avril Lavigne, is out now on DTA Records.
