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. 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
  2. trunks_masters
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Perfect! The best album since Under My Skin. F* u "The Guardian". It deserves at least BPVA.
  3. Tyrion123
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Those ones who were expecting a new UMS in 2019 can move on right now. You won't find that in Avril anymore and you should get over it (and mature your musical taste too). The album is an experience, the production is on point, the vocals are insane and the lyrical content is acceptable in most part of the songs. Warrior for example shows cliche lyrics but it's beautiful on its own. SongsThose ones who were expecting a new UMS in 2019 can move on right now. You won't find that in Avril anymore and you should get over it (and mature your musical taste too). The album is an experience, the production is on point, the vocals are insane and the lyrical content is acceptable in most part of the songs. Warrior for example shows cliche lyrics but it's beautiful on its own. Songs such as Birdie, IFILWTD and ITWM show the potential of Avril's capacity. In general, the album is solid, and it's made with all her soul, I can't say the same of so many other artist. Thank you for this gift, Avril.… Expand
  4. Dilhermando
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    EU estou maravilhado com esse trabalho e com todas as notas que ela dá em casa musica
  5. Anderson123
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    A truly masterpiece, Avril puts all her emotion and everything she's been thru after facing the most difficult moment of her life in the tracks and it's heart touching.
  6. tggoulart
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    Avril's best album yet filled with great melodies, inspired production and powerful vocals!
  7. Leandark
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    The best album since let go and under my skin. Avril one more time writer a masterpiece.
  8. lucasmartins01
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Sincere, dramatic, fun and victorious: this is Head Above Water. Tracks like It Was In Me, Birdie and I Fell In Love With The Devil are the high point, but, moments with Bigger Wow, Dumb Blonde are good too. The feeling of nostalgia is in tracks like Souvenir, Crush and Love Me Insane. And, for close the album with a golden key, Warrior appears to remember us: Avril is a fighter, a warriorSincere, dramatic, fun and victorious: this is Head Above Water. Tracks like It Was In Me, Birdie and I Fell In Love With The Devil are the high point, but, moments with Bigger Wow, Dumb Blonde are good too. The feeling of nostalgia is in tracks like Souvenir, Crush and Love Me Insane. And, for close the album with a golden key, Warrior appears to remember us: Avril is a fighter, a warrior and she won't give up.… Expand
  9. NavoegG
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    This album is so good, Devil and Birdie are perfect, just as the rest of the album.
  10. 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
  11. rickynho
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns da carreira da Avril, músicas fortes com uma produção impecável....
  12. SpoooksterOne
    Mar 9, 2019
    10
    I can't see why the big criticisers are hating this album so much. It's undoubtedly the best album of 2019 until this moment, and it goes beyond pop mainstream lyrics. It's super well-produced. This is such a powerful album, you can really feel the power of those ballads.
    This is my rating of each song, from 0 to 10, with a word or two to describe it:
    Head Above Water - 8,8 -    I can't see why the big criticisers are hating this album so much. It's undoubtedly the best album of 2019 until this moment, and it goes beyond pop mainstream lyrics. It's super well-produced. This is such a powerful album, you can really feel the power of those ballads.
    This is my rating of each song, from 0 to 10, with a word or two to describe it:

    Head Above Water - 8,8 - Inspirational/Powerful
    Birdie - 9,2 - Freedom
    I Fell In Love With The Devil - 9,8 - Perfection/Forbbiden
    Tell Me It's Over - 8,3 - Vintage
    Dumb Blonde - 8,0 - Empowerment
    It Was In Me - 8,4 - Self-confidence
    Souvenir - 8,6 - Charming
    Crush - 8,7 - Sweet
    Goddess - 9,4 - Calming/Melodic
    Bigger Wow - 8,1 - Happiness
    Love Me Insane - 7,9 - Classic/Sexy
    Warrior - 9,3 - Encouraging/ Enchanting    … Expand
  13. otiferreira
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Um álbum coeso, redondo, bem produzido e bem composto. Avril se mostrou vulnerável e abriu seu coração nos contando de uma forma muito bonita os difíceis momentos que passou desde a descoberta da doença. Um dos melhores álbuns da carreira que vale muito a pena ouvir. 'Birdie', 'I Fell In Love With The Devil' e 'It Was In Me' são os destaques do álbum.
  14. godrock
    Aug 7, 2019
    10
    This album is a mix of feelings. Half of the album is a masterpiece and the other half is completely forgettable. That’s her poppiest album so far. There are songs that remember her previous sound, like Head Above Water and It Was In Me, which has drums and guitars that you can classified as pop/rock. Gladly, she chose the right songs to be a single, what generally doesn’t happen.

    For    This album is a mix of feelings. Half of the album is a masterpiece and the other half is completely forgettable. That’s her poppiest album so far. There are songs that remember her previous sound, like Head Above Water and It Was In Me, which has drums and guitars that you can classified as pop/rock. Gladly, she chose the right songs to be a single, what generally doesn’t happen.

    For me, the singles should be: Birdie, It Was In Me, I Fell In Love With The Devil and Head Above Water.

    Head Above Water – 10/10 - it’s a catchy and amazing song. At the same time it sounds kinda gospel, it reminds her old pop/rock sound. Great first single choice, finally.

    Birdie – 10/10 – my favorite song of the album. Ok, the lyrics can be a little generic, but at the same time, Avril’s songs can be no poetry, but it’s really relatable. Energetic and dramatic, as we like.

    I Fell In Love With The Devil – 10/10 – a different sound for Avril but this is not a bad thing. A dark sound and really catchy.

    Tell Me It’s Over – 8/10 – a totally change for Avril. It sounds more jazzy. It’s a really nice song, and it’s nice to see her doing different things, but at the same time, I wouldn’t like to see her following this style of music. And not a good choice for a second single.

    Dumb Blonde – 8/10 – of course her album would have a Girlfriend 2.0, in this case, 4.0. It sounds teen, but Avril makes us like. Her solo version is also nice. It’s a song that you like but you also hate the fact that it exists. Avril, as expected, released as a single. But what I was not expecting is that she would give up of this song and released IFILWTD. I was so glad that she decided to pull off this song, because people don’t want a GF 2.0 anymore, we are kinda sick and tired of it, and so it’s Avril.

    It Was In Me – 10/10 – I’m With You 2.0. One of the best songs of the album.

    Souvenir – 6/10 – a nice but forgettable song.

    Crush – 8/10 – so as TMIO, it’s a jazzy sound. It doesn’t sound so original but it’s a good song.

    Goddess – 5.5/10 – another forgettable song. I kinda hate this good vibes style of Avril. Like Sipping On Sunshine and **** Summer. But it’s not a bad song, but completely forgettable. Also, it’s really bugs me out that she rhymes pajamas with bananas.

    Bigger Wow – 5/10 – The poppiest song of the album. It’s not a bad song, but it’s just not Avril.

    Love Me Insane – 5.5/10 – A nice song to hear in the elevator.

    Warrior – 8/10 - it’s kinda funny that the part that I least like is the chorus. But it’s a really nice song.

    BONUS: Break It So Good – 10/10 – a bonus track that you’ll find only in youtube. I just don’t understand why Avril keeps many good songs off of the album. It’s a completely different sound, kinda remind me of Ellie Goulding. If Avril wants to keep her pop sound, she should follow this style. Maybe a little like Give You What You Like. Just in love with this song.

    Overall, I always have high expectations of Avril’s work. Half of it, it’s absolutely amazing, the other half, not so much. 8/10.

    I will give a 10 just because it’s Avril.    … Expand
  15. Sonikko
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Head Above Water is the comeback we all were waiting for. Avril shows a vulnerable side, opening up about her struggle with Lyme disease.
    The production is on point, definitely a big step up from her last two albums, the lyrics show maturity and artistic growth, especially in the self-written I Fell in Love With The Devil.
    Even the upbeat cheesy Bigger Wow comes out as a tongue-in-cheek    Head Above Water is the comeback we all were waiting for. Avril shows a vulnerable side, opening up about her struggle with Lyme disease.
    The production is on point, definitely a big step up from her last two albums, the lyrics show maturity and artistic growth, especially in the self-written I Fell in Love With The Devil.
    Even the upbeat cheesy Bigger Wow comes out as a tongue-in-cheek funny song, rather than just being childish and cringey, like whatever was on her selftitled album.
    Haven't been able to put the album down for 3 days now, it's a solid, great, catchy, deep album, you should definitely check it out.    … Expand
  16. RK13
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    So is this Avril's most memorable work? No. But does that detract from the strength of this record in her repertoire? Absolutely not. The lead single was stunning and I commend the maturation in Lavigne's style of music a la Tell Me It's Over, yet still embraces the bratty punk rocker a la Dumb Blonde. I consider this album in the holy trinity along with The Best Damn Thing and Goodbye Lullaby.
  17. luan9rap
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    May be her best work.
    Powerful, meaningful and vocally a masterpiece. Lavigne reinvented herself to popular music scenary, but hasn't lose her own style. The position of every song in this album is extremely pleaseful and don't tires us. So good.
  18. samirarevalo27
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    #HeadAboveWater es una verdadera obra maestra. Avril hizo todo lo posible y renunció a todo su talento incluso en medio de sus batallas contra la enfermedad de Lyme. Ella es digna de todo el amor y orgullo del mundo y no habrá una crítica negativa que cambie eso.
  19. freakinron
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    This is a masterpiece "It Was In me" it's my favorite. She's so mature right now, I love her so much
  20. moonbbey
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Músicas puras, que tem um significado importante. Esse álbum é um dos melhores que já ouvi.
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. wthlucas
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    After almost 6 years on a break from the spotlight, the Queen finally dropped one of the albums of the year. Powerful voice, powerful production, powerful lyrics, powerful songs. As we listen, we cry, we dance, and the most important thing: we FEEL her and her emotions. This is a bible.
  24. 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.
  25. CamsPrimo
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    Just perfect. A fresh new start after lyme and a six year's. This album deserves conquer everything, it's a grow up and I'm so proud of her. Head above water means the world to me and we fans of the legend called Avril Lavigne.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. Gui_Lavigne_00
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Um álbum maravilhoso, valeu muito a pena esperar, mancada da The Guardian por essa nota baixíssima, ela não tem culpa que esse jornaleco tá falindo, amo a aclamação da fada e o ódio dos haters. Hayley loosho puta fracassadah
  29. 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
  30. AldoJDC97
    Mar 28, 2019
    10
    This album was so well done, it was pure and the songs beautifully written, I can hear real instrumental and a real voice, opening up to the public from the heart, you can feel the songs and feel identified, Avril has always done that and this isn't the exception.
    About the critics. Seriously? What the hell you want?
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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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