- 2025-08-26
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MUSIC
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Ava Max Releases New Album “Don't Click Play”
American singer-songwriter Ava Max released her third studio album “Don't Click Play” on August 22, 2025 via Atlantic Records.
The album is her first LP in two yers since the 2023 album “Diamonds & Dancefloors”.
It is also the first release after she changed her management company, co-writers, and producers.
This time, she split away from her longtime collaborators Cirkut and Madison Love. Instead, she worked with new producers Pink Sli, Inverness, David Stewart, and more on the album, delivering an electro-pop sound.
The album comprises 12 tracks, produced by Pink Slip, Inverness, David Stewart, Ammo, Leroy Clampitt, Fede, Frequency, Johnny Goldstein, Lindgren, Remind, and Stryv.
Ava Max told Rolling Stone about the album, “This is a complete reset. I made this album because I wanted to prove that I can make the album of my dreams without my last collaborators. And I did end up eventually finding an amazing group of producers that I absolutely love, who are now like family. Pink Slip and Inverness and David Stewart.”
She continued, “I did not want every song to sound the same; I wanted each song to be unique. I don't love it when each song sounds the same on an album. I love cohesiveness, I love a story, but I definitely want it to be something on the album for everybody.”
She said of the album title, “About the title, it doesn't mean 'don't click play.' It means 'Don't click play if you don't want to, because at the end of the day, this album was made to prove to myself that I could do it on my own.'”- Ava Max said of the album, “Don't click play is out now and I'm so happy that it's yours. When I look back at everything we've accomplished over the years I get teary eyed… & when I think about how many more albums we will dance to in the future makes me even more emotional. Thank you for always sticking by my side through everything sticky and sweet. You are my strength and the reason why I keep making music even when life gets tough. I love u all so much. Third albums hit different.”
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Ava Max explained some tracks for the album.
“Lovin Myself” via Rolling Stone
“This song came from a moment where I finally realized I didn't need anyone else's validation to feel whole. I've been through a lot of phases in my career, highs, lows, public scrutiny, private growth, and through all of that, I started to understand that the most important relationship I'll ever have is the one I have with myself. The lyrics really sum up where I'm at emotionally and creatively right now.
'Lovin Myself' is the most honest I've been in a song in a long time. It came out of a period where I was really learning how to stand on my own, not just as an artist, but as a person. I realized that loving yourself isn't some cliché, it's a survival skill. This song is about choosing yourself, not in a selfish way, but in a healing way. I wanted it to feel like an anthem for anyone who's learning to be their own anchor.
I wanted the video to feel like a celebration of self. I wanted it to be bold, bright, and joyful! I'm dancing in the streets and on rooftops because that's what it feels like when you finally stop living for other people's expectations and start honoring yourself.
[Claire Arnold] understood that this wasn't just a music video, it was a statement about what it looks like to own your power unapologetically! I had this moment where I looked out over the city and thought,'This is it, this is what freedom feels like.' That energy is what I want people to feel when they hear this song. It's not just about loving who you are when everything's going right. It's about loving yourself no matter what.”
“Know Somebody” via Rolling Stone
“Heartbreak stays with you forever. It takes fragments of your heart, and it just stays empty until you fill it back up. I think for me, I will always be able to pull from heartbreak because I've been through some really tough breakups. And when I'm in the studio sometimes, I can go back to that feeling. “Know Somebody” is one of those records; it's going to be very hard to sing this one, but it's very personal to me. And when you guys hear the lyrics, you'll know what it's about. Finding yourself after a heartbreak is one of the most beautiful transformations and rebirths there is in life.”
“Lost Your Faith” via Rolling Stone
“A message, one that I feel I've been called to deliver and perform. A message of love, that no matter how late we feel it may be, there is still time. A message of hope, that no matter where you are in life, there is still a way to grow and evolve. To be reborn. The pain pushes you inward, forcing you to confront yourself in a way you never have before. You piece yourself back together-not into who you were, but into someone stronger, someone more certain of their own light.” - source : Apple Music
