Avril Lavigne's most recent collection showcases advanced pop sound: Remember back in eighth grade when Avril Lavigne was all angsty and fun? Yeah, well, she's not anymore. It seems everyone's favorite "Sk8tr Girl" has grown up and left her spiteful charm behind her.
Her first album in four years, "Goodbye Lullaby" shows a noticeably grown-up Lavigne. And while it's not the style most will be expecting, Lavigne proves she is talented. A portion of the songs were actually written in Lavigne's youth, so this softer side of her has always been around.
The main portion of her writing was done in the last two years, around and after her divorce from Sum 41 guitarist Deryck Whibley. While their breakup wasn't the vicious hate-storm the media was no doubt hoping for, it added a touch of real life to her songs for the album.
As the divorce ended with them being friends, don't expect many "I hate you" kind of songs, but they are no less romantically infused. Her single, "What the Hell," is actually a complete outlier for the album, and isn't similar to any of the others. I appreciate its upbeat and angry throwback, but it was obviously added to be the radio single.
"Goodbye Lullaby" is no less angry and longing than previous records, yet the overall tone and cadence is slower, and almost strolling, in comparison. "I Wish You Were Here" is a chill song of longing and hope. A touching song someone is liable to put on an "I'm Sorry" mixtape next to Taylor Swift's "Back to December," it brings memories of a relationship that should never have been let go in the first place.
"Smile," the next-closest song to pop music, has all of the classic Lavigne keywords like "crazy b––ch" and rock n' roll, and more or less follows the same ex-bashing format as Lily Allen's same-titled song "Smile." Yet, Lavigne's song is still a sleepy version of her other singles, as the scene kids would have a horrible time trying to mosh to it. One of the best songs on the album is actually the epic track written and performed by Lavigne for Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland."
"Alice (extended version)" is a perfect closing track for "Goodbye Lullaby," as it epitomizes Lavigne's life. It can get crazy, and change may come, but in the end she'll get by just fine. "Goodbye Lullaby" is some new ground for Lavigne, but she proves her writing and heart make her a worthy star. She doesn't have the power of Christina Aguilera or the "je ne sais quoi" of Lady Gaga, but she's real now and for that, she's gained at least one fan.