Ava Max, Diamonds & Dancefloors | Album Review 💿

Pop artist Ava Max outdoes herself on her utterly consistent, dance-driven sophomore album, Diamonds & Dancefloors.

After releasing several marvelous singles in 2022, including 🎵 “Maybe You’re the Problem”, fans of 🎙 Ava Max were forced to wait until 2023 for the arrival of her sophomore LP, 💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors. Despite the long wait, the pop artist delivers the goods on Diamonds & Dancefloors.  Max is consistent from the opening tip to the finish of this 14 track, 40 minute album, delivering a surefire contender for one of the very best musical gems of 2023. 

“Million Dollar Baby” 

🤩 🎵 “Million Dollar Baby” commences Diamonds & Dancefloors.  This slickly produced number (🎛 Cirkut, David Stewart, and LOSTBOY) that screams dancefloor.  Not only is it readymade for the club, but it also mentions those diamonds from the album title: “Diamonds / She turns tears to diamonds / Tryin’ / To find that silver linin’.” The star of the show, Max, sings marvelously, imparting the tale of this miracle who, “Broke out of her chains, turned the fire into rain.” Essentially, judging by the lyrics, this girl has been through everything, and “got danger on her mind,” yet, again, she’s a “ma-ma-ma-ma… miracle.” ’ Fun songwriting, electrifying production, a catchy chorus, and awesome vocals from Ava Max make “Million Dollar Baby” a strong opening statement and overall highlight from Diamonds & Dancefloors.

Following such a strong initial musical statement, 🤩 🎵 “Sleepwalker” has a tough act to follow.  Ultimately, it keeps the momentum of Diamonds & Dancefloors going.  Once more, Ava Max is backed by slick production (Cirkut, 🎛 Jonas Jeberg, and Abraham Dertner), which is anchored by an infectious beat and set in a minor key (a consistent trait of the album). Max gives us truly sultry vocals, with her best moments occurring in the catchy, tuneful chorus: “I’ll turn you to a / Sleepwalker / Dream of me wherever you go / If I take you home, I’ll turn you to a…” The instrumental section also marks a huge pro, recalling the 1980s through and through. All told, “Sleepwalker” marks another surefire winner from Diamonds & Dancefloors.

“You should take your little finger and just point it in the mirror / Baby, maybe you’re the problem.” Ava Max dropped a surefire pop bop with 🤩 🎵 “Maybe You’re the Problem”.  This earworm latches from the moment you hear it. Max employs heavyweights behind the boards (Cirkut and Jonas Jeberg, once more).  The groove, the synths, and the 80s synthpop vibes fuel Ava’s fire big time. She showcases her stellar voice, sounding utterly sublime over the exuberant backdrop.  She takes the relatable, love-oriented lyrics and sells them to the audience. Max has concluded that her ex caused a lot of the issues within their now-defunct relationship. “Worked on myself, opened my eyes / You hate my friends, turns out they were right,” she asserts in the pre-chorus, continuing, “It takes two to make it all go right.”  It’s clear that HE bears ample responsibility and hasn’t seemed to realize that. This stellar, must-hear, straightforward, relatable pop gem speaks for itself.

“Ghost” 

With the tone of Diamonds & Dancefloors established early on, 🤩 🎵 “Ghost,” a house style cut, yields more infectiousness. The infectious entails the melody as well as another incredibly knockout chorus. Max continues to bring the heat, delivering an abundance of personality. Furthermore, her vocals are clear and sweet, riding the dance backdrop sensationally. Like “Sleepwalker,” Max sings atop a minor key, bring brightness to the darkness.  Gleaming production continues to be a draw on 🎵 “Hold Up (Wait A Minute).” Furthermore, how about another fierce minor key 💪 🔥! Like the four preceding songs, Max is locked-in on autopilot, baby! Her vocals are balanced. She is commanding and nuanced, but never overreaches with her instrument. The chorus continues to be where her bread is buttered, backed by rhythmic musical cues while dropping repetitive but potent lyrics.

“Stop, using your words as weapons.” Max remains locked-in on 🤩 🎵 “Weapons”, which arrived as the third advanced single from Diamonds & Dancefloors. It benefits from bright production with its sublime keys and synths.  Furthermore, the driving groove is a selling point.  Tuneful melodies tickle the ear’s fancy, throughout the verses, pre-chorus, and the crème de la crème, the empowering, memorable chorus.  The chorus is empowering and memorable (“Stop using your words as weapons / They’re never gonna shoot me down / Stop, it’s time that you learned a lesson / My love is gonna drown you out”). Beyond the production and empowering lyrics (“Got a bulletproof vest under my dress”), the big reason why “Weapons” is a success is Ava herself.  She delivers resolute, fortitudinous vocals, sounding commanding and utterly exceptional.  Also, worth highlighting, she delivers tasteful ad-libs throughout, particularly towards the end.

“Diamonds & Dancefloors”

“Is diamonds and dance floors in every dream / I miss the music surroundin’ me.” 🎵 “Diamonds & Dancefloors” arrives as the seventh track on Diamonds & Dancefloors.  Although it is brief, it continues the consistency and excellence of the LP.  “Diamonds” commences warmly, serving up a chill vibe and lovely aesthetic. Once more, Max is working with a minor key, which seems to be her lane – she excels on this album, at least.  Again, Ava is backed by a lit beat and driving rhythmic synths.  Over this backdrop, she sings effortlessly, as if she’s floating in the air.  On follow-up 🎵 “In The Dark,” the listener is spoiled with more slick pop, anchored by a sick beat. Max delivers rhythmic melodic lines in the verse, contrasting with more legato, slower rhythmic lines in the pre-chorus. Once more, the chorus serves as the great unification – the centerpiece of the record!

Synthesized strings sound incredibly dramatic in the intro of the fierce 🤩 🎵 “Turn Off The Lights.” Characterize “Turn Off The Lights” as what it is – another dance-pop record with exuberant darkness! Once more, Ava Max thrives in these minor keys. The repetitive post-chorus is incredibly effective. I particularly love the vocal effects used here. Like many dance and electronic songs, I love the fact that there is time allotted for the instrumental to shine 💪. Go on and turn them lights off, Ava! Powerful vocals initiate 🎵 “One Of Us,” which rediscovers the ‘happy key’ – major. The opening section happens to be – wait for it – the chorus. Max’s tone is stunning, particularly during the centerpiece, where she asserts, “One of us would die for love / One of us would give it up / One of us would risk it all / One of us won’t even call…”

“Get Outta My Heart”

If you hadn’t noticed, Ava Max doesn’t keep things ‘happy’ for long.  Once again, in 🎵 “Get Outta My Heart,” she’s back in her comfort zone – those depressing minor keys!  “Get Outta My Heart” doesn’t sacrifice fun despite its dark underpinnings or the fact that Max tells her ex, “Get outta my heart.” The picturesque production continues to hit hard, making the ears perk up.  Furthermore, Ava can flat out sing. Even being 🤩 🎵 “Cold As Ice” on the 12^th track from Diamonds & Dancefloor, she continues to thrive in this dance-pop sphere. The vocals are lit, the production is bold and intense, and the songwriting is a blast. “‘Cause I’m cold as ice / I’m not the type to keep you warm at night,” she sings in the chorus, continuing, “Better believe it that I’m cold as ice / I never stay for too long, too long, I’m gone / Cold as ice.” 

Penultimate record 🎵 “Last Night On Earth” benefits from another intense introduction (and minor key!).  The groove and synths draw you in from the onset. Ava continues to ‘kick ass and take names.’ What does she desire from her lover? “So show me how to love like it’s the last night, baby.” “Last Night On Earth” exemplifies the motto of live like you’re dying and I’m here for it!

“I wanna give into your dark temptation / I wanna touch you like nobody does.” Max does NOT tame things down on the closing cut, 🤩 🎵 “Dancing’s Done”. A vibe from the onset, it all begins with the vivid sound palette courtesy of 🎛 BURNS and LOSTBOY.  The musical cues set up Max for ample success, penned alongside BURNS and LOSTBOY as well as 🎼 ✍ R.I. Pablo and Sean Douglas. The chorus continues, “People like you and me were born to run / So where we going when the dancing’s done?” Beyond the memorable, melodic chorus, and epic production work, Max sings proficiently, bringing punch to this dance-pop cut. The verses are short but enticing, followed by a pre-chorus that sets up the chorus. “Dancing’s Done” successfully caps off Diamonds & Dancefloors.

Final Thoughts 💭 

To reiterate, Ava Max is consistent from the opening tip to the finish of 💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors. She never misses the mark on this 40-minute LP. The entertainment value is incredibly high.  Furthermore, the musicianship is commendable too given Max’s radiant instrument, catchy, fun, and relatable songwriting, and high-budget production.  All told, it is hard to find any cracks on Diamonds & Dancefloors – it is just that good!

🤩 Gems 💎: “Million Dollar Baby”, “Sleepwalker”, “Maybe You’re the Problem”, “Ghost,”  “Weapons”, “Turn Off The Lights,” “Cold As Ice”  & “Dancing’s Done”

🎙 Ava Max • 💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1.27.23

[📷: Atlantic]