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. leonardoandcs
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Amazing album! Her best work since Under My Skin, and definitely the album with the most intense and profound lyrics. Breathtaking vocals too! Thank you so much for this, Avril!!! You rock!!!
  2. Viniciusmarc
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Lavigne passou 2 anos em sua cama certo? esse álbum retrata bem o que a mulher passou e viveu, enfrentou a morte e a derrotou e fez sua Vitória em um álbum surpreendentemente bonito, as mensagens que as músicas passam e claro o significado que cada uma tem para lavigne, uma de minhas favoritas foi birdie e tenho certeza que falo em nome dos fãs que ela poderia ser seu próximo single.
  3. cnw008
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    I don't understand the low critic score for this album. It's very different than the old Avril, but she has matured and been through a lot. I also don't understand the comments about the track order being confusing. It literally tells a story, from start to finish. With the exception of maybe Dumb Blonde (girl I still love you though!) this is one of the better albums I have listened to inI don't understand the low critic score for this album. It's very different than the old Avril, but she has matured and been through a lot. I also don't understand the comments about the track order being confusing. It literally tells a story, from start to finish. With the exception of maybe Dumb Blonde (girl I still love you though!) this is one of the better albums I have listened to in a while. Her vocals are amazing and the sonics are captivating. Shame on everyone who can't accept growth and change in an artist.… Expand
  4. rosestring
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Change is the only constant. I know this is a different Avril from the one I fell in love with, but I'm not 15 anymore. She has grown so much over the past decade. To the older me, this is by far her best work.
  5. Doug112
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Um álbum muito maduro, com uma sonoridade emocionante e letras profundas e inspiradoras. Que retorno!!! Valeu cada dia desses seis anos.
  6. victorvieira13
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    O novo projeto da Avril é bastante pessoal. É um disco com bastante baladas que falam sobre o período difícil que ela passou com a doença de Lyme, mas também fala muito sobre relacionamento abusivo. A Avril fez um projeto bem nostálgico e forte, e, claramente com os vocais mais poderosos. Faixas como Birdie e I Fell in Love With the Devil mostra que a cantora está evoluindo bastante. EsseO novo projeto da Avril é bastante pessoal. É um disco com bastante baladas que falam sobre o período difícil que ela passou com a doença de Lyme, mas também fala muito sobre relacionamento abusivo. A Avril fez um projeto bem nostálgico e forte, e, claramente com os vocais mais poderosos. Faixas como Birdie e I Fell in Love With the Devil mostra que a cantora está evoluindo bastante. Esse de fato é um dos melhores trabalhos da Avril.… Expand
  7. avrilsboyfriend
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    This album is not perfect, but is really a great one. You can hear Avril Lavigne's struggles while singing songs such as "Head Above Water", "I Fell In Love With The Devil" and "Birdie". Her voice is so raw and honest, the melody and the production in most songs are so f****** good. It gives me goosebumps everytime. There are also sweet, bop songs that takes back memories of the summerThis album is not perfect, but is really a great one. You can hear Avril Lavigne's struggles while singing songs such as "Head Above Water", "I Fell In Love With The Devil" and "Birdie". Her voice is so raw and honest, the melody and the production in most songs are so f****** good. It gives me goosebumps everytime. There are also sweet, bop songs that takes back memories of the summer such as "Souvenir" and "Bigger Wow". Personally, I think this is her best album vocally and her best album released this decade. I don't understand the critics' low rating on this masterpiece of an album. She SERVED here.… Expand
  8. 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
  9. giovannirera
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    it is epic, I mean, Head Above Water is a masterpiece; I Fell in love with devil, was produced and written only by Avril and it has a deep meaning, It was in me reminds me a bit of I'm With You
  10. 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
  11. florianabocci
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    My favorites are:
    It Was In Me
    Fell in Love With The Devil
    Head Above Water
    Birdie
    Crush
  12. 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!
  13. LeftieScotsGirl
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    The opening track 'Head Above Water' shows Avril at her lowest point of her illness, she sings "Yeah, my life is what I'm fighting for, Can't part the sea, can't reach the shore", soft vocals give us a vulnerable insight from the bed she was unable to escape, but she shows she's ready to fight this Lyme's disease illness with a powerful chorus that takes us back to 2004 album 'Under MyThe opening track 'Head Above Water' shows Avril at her lowest point of her illness, she sings "Yeah, my life is what I'm fighting for, Can't part the sea, can't reach the shore", soft vocals give us a vulnerable insight from the bed she was unable to escape, but she shows she's ready to fight this Lyme's disease illness with a powerful chorus that takes us back to 2004 album 'Under My Skin', but this a grown up Avril and the following Track 'Birdie' continues the strong lyrical content and theme of feeling trapped, the punchy verses and loud drums are a million miles from her pop singles of recent albums, this is the pop in which Avril shines. Track 3 'I Fell In Love With The Devil', an impressive song that sounds like classic Adele or Lana, you'd be inclined to see if she had sought the co-writers of those artists, but this is self-written by Lavigne herself and it's lyrics talk of being in love in a toxic relationship, "Shotguns and roses make a deadly potion", sweeping strings and haunting vocals make this an album highlight. Dumb Blonde harks back to vintage bratty Avril, it's a weak link but you can't help but find yourself immersed in catchy hooks and hard hitting lines "I can flip like a switch and I cut like a blade, I can sting like a bee, but I'm sweeter than honey", 'It Was In Me' with stunning vocals that see Lavigne talk abut the moment she realised she could find a happy place within herself, beautiful strings that hark back to her classic ballad 'I'm With You', it really feels like we are getting Avril at her best. The second half of the album is lighter, 'Souvenir' a grown up continuation of her 'Let Go' days is solid. Avril declares her fears of being crushed by her new lover in the jazzy track 'Crush', another track set to beautiful piano and strings and in 'Goddess', only Avril could get away with lyrics "He treats me like a goddess, goddess, He thinks I'm sexy in my pajamas, The more I am a hot mess, the more he goes bananas", set to acoustic guitars. The self-produced final track 'Warrior' gives us Avril letting us know she has won her battle. Sweeping strings, a backdrop of much of 'Head Above Water' and empowering vocals, it's a fitting ending to this album. The standout songs 'Birdie', 'I Fell In Love With The Devil' & 'It Was In Me' are some of Avril's best songs to date and for the most part it's a solid record, Let down by 'Dumb Blonde' and lack of variety on the back end of the album, where Avril starts to veer back into some of the basic lyrics that have often let her down. We see her potential and maybe one day we will get a great Avril Lavigne album, if not you know you are always guaranteed a few great songs.… Expand
  14. DavidHerondale
    Feb 18, 2019
    10
    This all album it´s powerfull, beautiful and very pretty for the fans and the new fans cause this album give us the oportunity to see how inspirational the music is and told us a true story for fight for still alive and give always the best. Avril Give us one of her best albums.
  15. BlackStar1
    Feb 19, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this album is so personal, I love it is art I hope and have the success it deserves… Expand
  16. TellMe
    Feb 21, 2019
    10
    I was kidnapped by the beauty and authenticity of this album. Avril has become a true and refined singer-songwriter, she's has been able to create a new music able to breathe the complexity of her emotions and her experiences, combining jazz, soul, indie and beat vibrations to the pop-rock power of her voice. The album is compact and homogeneous, tells a story full of facets and knows howI was kidnapped by the beauty and authenticity of this album. Avril has become a true and refined singer-songwriter, she's has been able to create a new music able to breathe the complexity of her emotions and her experiences, combining jazz, soul, indie and beat vibrations to the pop-rock power of her voice. The album is compact and homogeneous, tells a story full of facets and knows how to use all the potential of alternative influences to talk to listeners. I think this record has been unjustly underestimated by critics because it is true and nonconformist: it does not follow pop canons and is unique, take back the acoustic music of the nineties and the sound of the sixties. Congratulations Avril, you've created a milestone in music!… Expand
  17. brianwormboy
    Feb 22, 2019
    10
    I think the first part of the album it's the one that is best produced, written and developed. A beautiful collection of songs about empowerment. After "It was in me", the album becomes a little flatter and cloying, without so much production that fits perfectly in an acoustic version, without taking away the merit that they are very romantic songs and that they continue with the theme ofI think the first part of the album it's the one that is best produced, written and developed. A beautiful collection of songs about empowerment. After "It was in me", the album becomes a little flatter and cloying, without so much production that fits perfectly in an acoustic version, without taking away the merit that they are very romantic songs and that they continue with the theme of the album. Warrior is a powerful song that perfectly closes the cycle of emotions. My favorite "I Fell In Love With The Devil" a majestic piece of art. A very very good album.… Expand
  18. iamxpedro
    Mar 10, 2019
    10
    HER. BEST. ALBUM. TO. DATE.
    Deserved more, it's a really good record with deep, meaningful lyrics and amazing vocals. Thank you for the pampering, Avril
  19. ppaul07tw
    Apr 4, 2019
    10
    No doubt, the best album of the year. These tracks completely shows her journey through these year and they are all connected as a full story. All of the tracks are amazing and make me feel so emotional. Love Love Love!
  20. maximosmit
    Apr 21, 2019
    10
    Esto es una obra de arte, uno de los mejores trabajos de Lavigne en los últimos años, period.
  21. idanmesquita
    Aug 6, 2019
    10
    So truly inspirational! She just made me feel her battle and all of this came just when I needed.
  22. chin2892
    Aug 10, 2019
    10
    This album is the one danger of Avril having released, being a very mature very personal album of her starting with the first track Head Above Water that is exceptional talks about an experience between life and death that she had in that she was trying to survive from a disease awfully The serious, a very, very strong song. She even said that the time was too great to produce this albumThis album is the one danger of Avril having released, being a very mature very personal album of her starting with the first track Head Above Water that is exceptional talks about an experience between life and death that she had in that she was trying to survive from a disease awfully The serious, a very, very strong song. She even said that the time was too great to produce this album and can see the modifications well thought out in Birdie and Souvenir… Expand
  23. M7md1989
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Head above water, Birdie, i fell in live with the devil, tell me it's over, it was in me, crush...i wouldn't call this album cohesive but idgaf because it's filled with amazing songs that you can never get tired of....10/10
  24. Wilson23
    Jan 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Estes album me encantó en lo personal que es muchas artistas dicen que este álbum es personal pero pocas lo hacen este álbum tiene un buen concepto ya que Avril hacía su regreso con su Head Above Water que tiene ritmos más maduros e igual que las letras sin dejar a un lado su escensia… Expand
  25. hxns
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    Head above water by Avril lavigne is the album of the year. It is a masterpiece of pop and deserves much more recognition.
  26. MeeranQureshi
    Oct 5, 2019
    10
    This record was also good and while I thought Dumb Blonde has a bit of a cringe(the 'Barbie Doll' reference),it was still very upbeat,fun and catchy.She has an 'In your face' attitude on it.I loved all the tracks except Goddess(terrible lyrics,the chorus was bad) and Love Me Insane(not many thoughts because I couldn't care much honestly.This song was not needed) All other tracks hadThis record was also good and while I thought Dumb Blonde has a bit of a cringe(the 'Barbie Doll' reference),it was still very upbeat,fun and catchy.She has an 'In your face' attitude on it.I loved all the tracks except Goddess(terrible lyrics,the chorus was bad) and Love Me Insane(not many thoughts because I couldn't care much honestly.This song was not needed) All other tracks had amazing vocal performance,good lyrics(It Was In Me,I Fell in Love With The Devil,Birdie,Tell me its Over,Head Above Water - all were standouts!) And Bigger Wow and Souvenir were simply but catchy. :) I'd give the album a 7/10(That's a 'B' in my opinion).… Expand
  27. kevingrande
    Mar 15, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Simplesmente perfeito! um dos melhores álbuns da carreira de Avril, Head Above Water é realmente bom!… Expand
  28. Juan7
    May 13, 2020
    10
    Después de 5 años de completo abandono para sus Fans, Lavigne decreta que sigue en el juego de la música.
  29. CauAmazing1
    Jun 1, 2020
    10
    I loooooooooooooveeeeeeee iiit sooo muuuuuuuch, veeeeeryyyyyyyy gooooooooood
  30. Damni28
    Jun 25, 2020
    10
    Ícone aclamado.........Todos estamos orgulhosos de você Avril lavigne....... Obrigado por me fazer feliz com essas faixas de destruir corações........ Eu te amo. Seu jeito, sua personalidade, coração... ...É tudo pra mim. Bj. Sua fã desde 2007
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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