Song of the Week: Avril Lavigne and YUNGBLUD Team Up for the Tender “I’m a Mess”
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The post Song of the Week: Avril Lavigne and YUNGBLUD Team Up for the Tender “I’m a Mess” appeared first on Consequence.
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Avril Lavigne links up with YUNGBLUD for an heartfelt anthem.
Fresh off dozens of US tour dates in support of Love Sux — as well as a major appearance at last month’s When We Were Young Festival — Avril Lavigne has returned with a new song, “I’m a Mess,” featuring fellow pop punk juggernaut YUNGBLUD. Avril’s 2022 album may have been titled Love Sux, but “I’m a Mess” is a love song through and through, and finds both Lavigne and YUNGBLUD longing for each other (or their respective partners) in a sincere, tender duet.
Avril Lavigne has always possessed a powerful voice, and her vocals on “I’m a Mess” are a great example of her signature tone, soaring high notes, and sticky sweet melodies. Meanwhile, YUNGBLUD — who also has an instantly definable tone, equally gritty as it is crystal clear — compliments Avril’s soprano so well that it’s surprising they haven’t collaborated before. When they reach the anthemic bridge, both of their full-throttle rock impulses are on full display, and it brings the song to a much more urgent place.
But what’s also so delightful about “I’m a Mess” is the fact that both artists could so easily project, “I’m over it,” and yet, they opt for a more earnest portrayal of desire and yearning. It seems appropriate that the song is released in the midst of Lavigne’s extensive world tour, constantly away from home and realizing the role her partner plays in maintaining her overall mental health. “I’m a Mess” is an ode to the difficulties of a long distance relationship, and it’s made all the more impactful by Lavigne and YUNGBLUD’s authentic performances and heartfelt honesty.
If “I’m a Mess” is any indication, Lavigne’s next album cycle might double down on this kind of sincerity, and she sounds radiant and truly inspired. And with a pop rock hook that belongs among the best of Lavigne’s choruses, “I’m a Mess” is a memorable step forward for both YUNGBLUD and Avril Lavigne.
— Paolo Ragusa
Editorial Coordinator
Honorable Mentions
Ade – “Ambivert”
“First thing’s first, I’m an ambivert” sings New York-based producer and songwriter Ade on his new track, “Ambivert.” He’s referencing the term for people who identify as both introverted and extroverted, and in fitting fashion, the song is an engaging combination of both energies. The verses find a smaller, internet-centric palate for Ade to build his ideas within, all before exploding outward in an overblown, hyperspeed chorus. The themes of “Ambivert” are excellently done, but it’s his jarring structural and stylistic changes that provide a rewarding sense of authorship. Ade is showing that bedroom pop can be just as dynamic and restless as the experience of being online, and he’s certainly cemented his place as a rising artist to watch. — P.R.
Carlie Hanson – “Illusion”
Following the atmospheric and mellow “608,” singer-songwriter Carlie Hanson switches up her pace for the high-energy “Illusion.” Despite the change in sonic tone, Hanson remains introspective in her writing, discussing the realities of the music industry and life not going as planned. “You can set expectations, but in reality, you never know what’s going to happen,” Hanson explained in a press release. “This isn’t what I thought it’d be like/ Just an illusion doesn’t sit right,” she admits on the anthemic chorus. The guitar-synth combo is a sublime backing to Hanson’s liveliness, making “Illusion” yet another compelling offering. — Joe Eckstein
Cheekface – “If I Catch on Fire Please Put Me Out”
There are a lot of reasons to love Cheekface, all of which are on display in “If I Catch on Fire Please Put Me Out.” The song showcases their Talking Heads-esque sense of fun, their eccentric post-punk production, and their boldness to ask hard-hitting questions (What exactly is the proper etiquette when you need to ask a favor from someone you haven’t talked to in a while?). The track comes via their new three-song EP, containing three b-sides from their recent album Too Much To Ask, and while it was likely the right decision for that album to keep “If I Catch on Fire Please Put Me Out” off the tracklist, thank God fans now have the chance to enjoy it nonetheless. — Jonah Krueger
Softcult – “Drain”
It’s November, which means we’re deep into autumn and all too aware of the coming winter. And what does such an occasion call for? Why, moody shoegaze of course! Luckily, Canadian duo Softcult is here to deliver just that with “Drain.”
Atmospheric, dense, and melodic, the song wastes no time steeping the listener in layered, heavily-affected guitar tones. Over the wall of sound, gentle vocals sing of the corporate interests that inhibit action against climate change. It’s a pointed message that Softcult has consistently put forth, from their previous releases to their self-published zine. Taken as a whole, “Drain” positions Softcult as a band with something to say, and they’ve found a damn engaging way to do so. — J.K.
Girl Scout – “All The Time And Everywhere”
With only two songs to their name, Girl Scout are fairly new to the indie rock scene. But the band is already exhibiting an acute understanding of the genre’s mechanics. Their latest single “All The Time And Everywhere” comes complete with a laid-back, intensely catchy lead melody, a driving bass-drum pattern, and the type of chord progression that, for some reason, sounds best when played on a Fender Jaguar. Yet, while the sonics might ring familiar, the song is anything but stale. Thanks to its impeccable songwriting, the tune’s strength is unquestionable. If this is how Girl Scout are coming out of the gate, it’s going to be quite exciting to see where their whims take them next. — J.K.
Top Songs Playlist:
Song of the Week: Avril Lavigne and YUNGBLUD Team Up for the Tender “I’m a Mess”
Paolo Ragusa and Consequence Staff
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