Head Above Water
by Avril Lavigne
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: Feb 15, 2019
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 466 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 381 out of 466
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 466
  3. Negative: 51 out of 466
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  1. NavoegG
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    This album is so good, Devil and Birdie are perfect, just as the rest of the album.
  2. Mayfieldja
    Feb 26, 2019
    4
    Avril is back with an album that seems to have trouble deciding what it wants to be. Track to Track, it feels very disjointed and is overproduced. There are moments where you feel the emotional resonance that was put into certain songs but the production reeks of trying to play to a mass audience. Head Above Water has moments of catchy hooks but mostly struggles to find the powerful voiceAvril is back with an album that seems to have trouble deciding what it wants to be. Track to Track, it feels very disjointed and is overproduced. There are moments where you feel the emotional resonance that was put into certain songs but the production reeks of trying to play to a mass audience. Head Above Water has moments of catchy hooks but mostly struggles to find the powerful voice that it was searching for. 4 out of 10.
    Tracks to Enjoy: “Birdie” & “Tell Me It’s Over”    … Expand
  3. matheuscssta
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    One of her best albums. She putted all the stages of her life of the last 5 years on it. All the songs looks like they complete each other and there's a lot of potential hits.
  4. matheusmorais
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    The album is amazing, I don't understand how 'thank u, next' is getting better reviews (and I like Ariana's album too). For me 'Head Above Water' is the best album released this year. Avril overcame herself both lyrically and in production, the album is cohesive and has songs for all tastes. At first I didn't like the track 'Goddess' very much, but after the second listen it sounded asThe album is amazing, I don't understand how 'thank u, next' is getting better reviews (and I like Ariana's album too). For me 'Head Above Water' is the best album released this year. Avril overcame herself both lyrically and in production, the album is cohesive and has songs for all tastes. At first I didn't like the track 'Goddess' very much, but after the second listen it sounded as good as the other tracks. Avril Lavigne's best album. No skips.… Expand
  5. Thecelo
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    O álbum é muito bom.
    Letras totalmente perfeitas, a maioria das musicas explodem no refrão!
    Avril fez um ótimo trabalho, está tudo muito lindo.
  6. matheuscastrol
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    A stunning comeback, proving her maturity as a vocalist, producer and songwriter. Maybe the best albumn in her discography.
  7. biiamrl
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns dos últimos tempos e da carreira da Avril. Todas as músicas são incríveis e combinam entre si de forma única. Com certeza um album que ainda escutarei por muito tempo sem enjoar ou cansar.
  8. magesto
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    Such a beautiful and inspiring album. Have no ideia why it's being bashed by so called "critics". It tells you a story, beginning to end, about her recovery not just from her illness but also her soul. The album starts with Avril praying to survive, following a toxic relationship that she finally get over with it, next discovering her inner strenght and then finding love again, now havingSuch a beautiful and inspiring album. Have no ideia why it's being bashed by so called "critics". It tells you a story, beginning to end, about her recovery not just from her illness but also her soul. The album starts with Avril praying to survive, following a toxic relationship that she finally get over with it, next discovering her inner strenght and then finding love again, now having someone by her side on this long journey that she's still fighting for. So i'm sorry but people bashing this have no respect or empathy. She's a survivor, a warrior, but mostly important, she's being honest with herself. She's not going to follow what's hot on the radio and she's not gonna go back to her sk8er boi days either. She's moving forward on her own terms, and for those who dare to listen to the album with open mind, she can leave you with a beautiful message of perseverance… Expand
  9. demiexplicit
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Her best album. She put her heart in every single song and you can feel when you’re listening to it. Her masterpiece.
  10. Gabbs
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Excellent album that makes you cry... Don’t be fooled by what the critics say... we are more and so many people do agree on the power that this album has... one of the best album of the year and for me the best Avril has ever released... thank you Avril for such amazing songs... cheer up!!!
  11. SoBirdieFlyAway
    Feb 15, 2019
    8
    Overall, this album was a good one. There are songs that are a hit-or-miss, such as "Dumb Blonde" or "Bigger Wow," but there are songs that also absolutely shine within this, mainly being "I Fell In Love With The Devil," "Birdie," and the title track, "Head Above Water."

    Avril truly shines when her songs have a flair for dramatics - a heavy, powerful orchestra with powerhouse vocals are    Overall, this album was a good one. There are songs that are a hit-or-miss, such as "Dumb Blonde" or "Bigger Wow," but there are songs that also absolutely shine within this, mainly being "I Fell In Love With The Devil," "Birdie," and the title track, "Head Above Water."

    Avril truly shines when her songs have a flair for dramatics - a heavy, powerful orchestra with powerhouse vocals are the songs that are best suited for her, and in this album, it seems as though she embraced this.

    Songs ranging from heartbreak to health scare, this album is built around emotion, and you can feel that within every single song.    … Expand
  12. luna09
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    I loved this album! Songs all together create whole story and that's cool.
    "I fell in love with the devil" - lirycally awesome. Melody and the heartbeat make me feel like if I was the one, from whom those emotions come from. That's one of the best songs she has ever created!
    "It was in me" - When I first listened to it, I cried. It's a very beautiful song in which lyrics matches melody.    I loved this album! Songs all together create whole story and that's cool.
    "I fell in love with the devil" - lirycally awesome. Melody and the heartbeat make me feel like if I was the one, from whom those emotions come from. That's one of the best songs she has ever created!
    "It was in me" - When I first listened to it, I cried. It's a very beautiful song in which lyrics matches melody. Another song in which I can fell her emotions.
    These songs mentioned above are masterpieces!
    I liked every single song from this album, she put a lot of effort in this album. I can't wait to hear them live. Avril Lavigne definietely deserves an award. Great Job!    … Expand
  13. robertaslarica
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    this album it's totally amazing, and my favorite song is It Was In me, it reminds me of I'm With You.
    Oh, and I Fell in love with the devil is such a masterpiece
  14. lunashid
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    This album is full of masterpieces both in lyrics and sound. Check out I fell in love with the devil, It was in me, Birdie and crush and see yourself!
  15. Hogdion
    Feb 15, 2019
    6
    The first half of the album is somehow catchy and the melodies are ear-pleasing. But, the 2nd half is a disastrous mess. Boring and forgettable. Unfortunately, the album also lack artistic growth. it feels like as if she's forever stuck in the late 00s with her punk attitude...
  16. IgorEwslan
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Wonderful album, songs with great melodies. Very good compositions. Avril's voice is amazing.
  17. Alefer
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Foi melhor do que eu esperava
    Músicas incríveis,bem trabalhadas com um amadurecimento notavel
    Avril Lavigne está de parabéns,nota 1000!!
  18. Navoeg
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns da carreira dela, tudo que ela passou levou a esse álbum e não poderia ser melhor.
  19. Limastan
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    The lyrics are amazing. Songs that talked about what she went through when she was sick and makes us feel the pain she's been through. Great quality Album.
  20. trunks_masters
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Perfect! The best album since Under My Skin. F* u "The Guardian". It deserves at least BPVA.
  21. Leandark
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    The best album since let go and under my skin. Avril one more time writer a masterpiece.
  22. JonatasMaia
    Feb 15, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O álbum é bom mas não chega a ser um dos melhores, por ser o seu comeback em anos, era esperado mais, há uma grande controvérsia entre as faixas, em comparação de Head Above Water, I Fell In Love With The Devil, Berdie, que são músicas que prendem o ouvinte; Dumb Blonde chega ser patética parecendo música de trilha sonora de desenho animado.… Expand
  23. thisisthales
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Her more than expected comeback couldn't have been more satisfying. All the emotions she put into the songs relating to the experiences she's been through this past years showcases what really matters in music (and many seem to be forgetting about): connection; feeling.
  24. licinhaand
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    PERFECT. Congrats Avril. Dumb Blonde is a BOP. I Fell In Love With Devil... Speechless

    F**K YOU THE GUARDIAN
  25. jhownatas
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    This is a great album, vocal, lyrics, remember the older times of my life, Avril is a amazing songwriter and singer.
  26. theswiftflash
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Loved this album. It has some great ballads including I fell in love with the devil, It was in me and Head Above Water, as well as some really good songs to dance to.

    After her six-year break and almost dying, Avril Lavigne is BACK with her trademark vocals, inspiring lyrics and great production!
  27. GFactor
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    HEAD ABOVE WATER

    Head Above Water - 10,0 Birdie - 10,0 I Fell In Love With The Devil - 9,5 Tell Me It’s Over - 9,5 Dumb Blonde - 10,0 It Was In Me - 9,5 Souvenir - 9,0 Crush - 10,0 Goddess - 8,0 Bigger Now - 9,0 Love Me Insane - 9,0 Warrior - 9,5 We clearly can notice how much has Avril grown with everything that she's been through! All details are perfect! She can sing an    HEAD ABOVE WATER

    Head Above Water - 10,0
    Birdie - 10,0
    I Fell In Love With The Devil - 9,5
    Tell Me It’s Over - 9,5
    Dumb Blonde - 10,0
    It Was In Me - 9,5
    Souvenir - 9,0
    Crush - 10,0
    Goddess - 8,0
    Bigger Now - 9,0
    Love Me Insane - 9,0
    Warrior - 9,5

    We clearly can notice how much has Avril grown with everything that she's been through! All details are perfect! She can sing an emotional ballad and a few songs later bring her classic pop/rock 00s beat! It's all amazing! Her voice, the production, the lyrics... AMAZING! If I could point one bad thing about the album it would the cover, but all the rest made it worth!    … Expand
  28. viniciusleloi
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    Avril nos entregou o seu melhor álbum em anos, um álbum coeso onde as músicas estão relacionadas entre si, com composições impecáveis, o vocal sensacional e único que só ela tem e um material que não te faz querer pular nenhuma faixa. O álbum se destaca como um dos melhores que foram e estão sendo lançados nesse período, onde Avril vai em direção oposta à superficialidade que está em altaAvril nos entregou o seu melhor álbum em anos, um álbum coeso onde as músicas estão relacionadas entre si, com composições impecáveis, o vocal sensacional e único que só ela tem e um material que não te faz querer pular nenhuma faixa. O álbum se destaca como um dos melhores que foram e estão sendo lançados nesse período, onde Avril vai em direção oposta à superficialidade que está em alta e o foco nos charts. Um álbum com músicas cruas e transparentes que nos faz parecermos íntimos de Avril, onde toda a sua intimidade e suas inseguranças estão expostas em composições profundas, que demonstram com notoriedade o crescimento e amadurecimento musical e pessoal da princesa do pop/rock, mostrando mais uma vez o por quê de ela ser um dos maiores e mais respeitados nomes da música.… Expand
  29. mayconmonteiro
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Tais album is so good, IFILWTD, Birdie and It Was In Me so perfect songs...
  30. AdeSon
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Head Above Water is a stunning album that provides relatable and uplifting messages, while showing off the singer’s voice at its most raw and her ability to bounce between donning the Pop-Punk Princess persona and giving us a peek behind the curtain with the most personal side to her we’ve seen to date.
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. NOW Magazine
    Feb 27, 2019
    40
    She’s become her own worst nightmare – boring.
    Read full review
  2. The Skinny
    Feb 21, 2019
    40
    The best tracks here are those which delve into the power ballads that we know Lavigne can produce so effectively. But other than the album's self-titled lead single and It Was In Me, with soaring orchestrals and subtle keys paving the way for her lung-bursting croons, it feels much like a lost Lavigne seeking a sound that’ll just keep her afloat.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    Feb 20, 2019
    40
    On every track, the mad-libs are paired with stylistically diverse arrangements--and invariably plodding tempos. The album’s lone sugar spike is “Dumb Blonde,” a rehashed “Girlfriend” that features a phoned-in Nicki Minaj guest verse midway through and, for some reason, a pre-chorus melody yanked from Lipps, Inc.’s “Funky Town.” In spite of everything, Head Above Water offers one brief moment where Lavigne’s emotional alchemy assumes a bolder musical form that’s properly befitting of her powerhouse vocals and enduring authenticity: the opening stunner of a title track.
    Read full review
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