Avril Lavigne Returns With "Here's To Never Growing Up"
posted in: Music News
Eleven years ago, a sassy Canadian teen girl took over radio and MTV with her unique brand of alt-pop rock. Her style was straight out of your local mall, which coincidentally seemed to be where she and her skater friends loved to spend their days. She arrived at a time when there was virtually no direct competition for her style of pop, and in the year that followed her debut (Let Go) went on to sell more than eight million copies. Her name is Avril Lavigne, and earlier this week she attempted to turn back time once more with her new single, “Here’s To Never Growing Up.”
If you haven’t been paying close attention, Avril never really went anywhere. She has consistently released a new album ever two-three years since her debut, and though her personal life has often outshines those musical efforts, there have been a slew of notable singles along the way. That said, the hard truth is that her music simply isn’t selling like it used to, and when that starts to happen the first reason most turn to is because they (the artist) has moved away from the sound that made them famous in the first. It’s not that the song they write now are any less personal or well penned, it’s just impossible to conceive of anyone being able to evolve musically and maintain a constant connection with fans of any one subgenera. Some will grow alongside your musical interests, sure, but more people are fickle than most would like to believe. So before we even get to the song itself, let me just say that I understand why her music is once again veering toward the somewhat edgy alt-pop rock side, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I think it’s a good idea.
Backed by drums that could make Ke$ha jealous, “Here’s To Never Growing Up” is how someone pushing thirty writes while trying to channel emotions from their teen years. There is an admittedly catchy hook, but it could easily be sung by any top 40 starlet of the moment and go over just as big, if not bigger. The years that have passed since Avril made her original splash have brought much more attitude to even the poppiest of music, and that doesn’t help the already forgettable lyrics. Avril no longer has her edge, and the results of her attempt to bring back her heyday is more embarrassing than it is replay worthy. Does the world really need another song about singing another (better) band’s songs and staying up all night? Isn’t that what “Die Young,” “Twenty-Two,” and half a dozen songs in the top 40 are about already? It’s a topic that will never go away, sure, but the flood levels are high enough without adding enough mindless track to the mix.
If “Here’s To Never Growing Up” contained a single ounce of honest emotion I probably wouldn’t have nearly as many issues with it, but in terms of depth this is the most shallow thing Lavigne has released since “Girlfriend.” Her catalog is full of examples where she touches on how she really feels, and those are the moments when she is at her best. This single is bound to get radio play, but compared to her previous work it’s unlikely anyone will remember, let alone want to hear it six months from now. Pop music doesn’t need soul to sell, but careers need soul to survive, and there is none of that to be found here. Heading down the path of disposable singles could become a slippery slope for Lavigne, but I’ll wait for another single before writing her off completely.