rating: 3.5
Avril Lavigne is the upcoming self-titled fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne. The album is scheduled to be released on 1 November 2013 by Epic Records and is the follow-up to her fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby, from 2011. We decided to revisit her last album in anticipation of her new LP. The album is much more consistent in content than her previous work and focusses mainly on her divorce from Sum 41 lead man Deryck Whibley. Overall, the sound is much more raw and stripped-back than her previous ventures (it is unlikely to attract Lavigne any new listeners) but still includes tracks that are more upbeat pop songs amongst the ballads. At heart, however, it is very much a breakup record.
1. Black Star
This track served as the soundtrack for Avril's fragrance of the same name. It is a tender piano-led introduction and makes Lavigne seem vulnerable in the wake of her split from Whibley. Lyrically she begs her fans to "be whatever you can be". Inspirational only to her fans, the song is simply a filler, though sets the tone perfectly for the album.
2. What The Hell
The lead single from the album bridges the gap between The Best Damn Thing and Goodbye Lullaby. This is the most "pop" song on the album and stands out for this. The track is infectious with unstoppable energy to match the lyrical content and echoes previous single "Girlfriend" without the blatant cheerleader aspect. Led by synths and a stadium-chorus, the song was the obvious choice for first single. Lavigne chants to her legion of fans to join her in "what-the-hell" antics and loses herself in the pop-punk vibes.