Heaven & Hell
| Ava Max
Heaven & Hell
eaven & Hell is the debut studio album by American singer Ava Max. It was released by Atlantic Records on September 18, 2020. Max recorded the album from December 2018 to 2020, where she collaborated with composers, including Cirkut, RedOne, Charlie Puth and Bonnie McKee. Musically, Heaven & Hell is a pop, dance-pop, and electropop record, which is split into two sides; the former contains anthemic sounds, while the latter incorporates darker melodies. Heaven & Hell was released to generally favorable reviews from music critics, many of whom praised the upbeatproduction and Max's vocal abilities, but criticized the lyrics and lack of originality. The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and at number 27 on the US Billboard 200. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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The Guardian
Back to the era of prime Gaga and Katy Perry with nailed-on melodies and high-wire vocals - this album is determined to entertain.
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Us Weekly
With its yin-yang concept, Heaven & Hell is a promising launchpad for Max, who is bound to have one heck of a ride toward stardom.
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Thomas Bleach
‘Heaven & Hell’ is a cohesive debut album that brings together a tight vision of what Ava Max wants to do as a pop artist. It’s an album that will be further highlighted when she can tour and showcase the visual aspect as that is a very important aspect of this album.
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The Daily Nebraskan
It’s an inoffensive release, but that inoffensiveness is “Heaven & Hell’s” greatest weakness. As pop artists push their artistic vision farther than ever this year — Taylor Swift going full folk and The Weeknd reinventing himself from a dark R&B superstar to a theatrical dream pop chart-topping artist — Max’s project feels like more of the same tired pop cliches that more inventive pop artists have moved away from.
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Medium
It’s a debut album brimming with potential as Max and her team deliver an honestly great album on its own, but also one that complements Max’s talents and spotlights what she has to offer pop music going forward.
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The Interns
good but unremarkable.
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The Upcoming
Ava Max’s debut album Heaven & Hell is a culmination of her growth and the evolution of her sound so far. It’s serious in some parts, but maintains upbeat melodies to keep listeners invested in the tracks. Sometimes it’s typical and average; it exhibits a series of songs with varying quality all carrying similar themes. Still, there are a few standout tracks which highlight the potential in Max’s musical versatility and creativity.
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Cillacritic
The songs in this album are really groovy and one tends to love them when one get to understand the messages of the songs. However songs like “Torn”, “Call me tonight”, “OMG what’s happening” and “call me tonight” could get people grooving away in the sound. The flop songs are relative because the flop songs for one person may differ for another person. Ava Max did a really nice job with her music.
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Sputnik Music
Heaven & Hell is still a very strong debut and establishes Ava Max as someone to keep a very strong eye on, as she has a lot of potential that just needs to be brought out to the forefront.
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London Evening Standard
It’s pretty basic stuff. This is a punchy and often catchy pop album that, while fun, ultimately lacks personality.
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All Music
Heaven & Hell is an expertly crafted gem, showcasing the young hitmaker's burgeoning star power, relatable personality, and sonic range.
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The 97
It’s a stellar pop record and a poignant way to close out this record aimed at exploring two extremes. While both the album and Max never realize their full potential, if this is any indication, Ava Max is just getting started.
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Total Ntertainment
An album of two moods, “Heaven & Hell” is a mixed bag. As demonstrated on tracks like “Kings & Queens”, “Naked” and “Sweet But Pyscho”, Ava Max shows that she is the kind of pop star that could light a rocket up the backside of the pop scene.
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Sound Bite Reviews
Not the worst but this year has had some fantastic pop albums and I feel like this one will get lost in the mix.
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Black Boy Bulletin
Ava Max’s ‘Heaven & Hell’ Is Painfully Boring.
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The Reflector
The first part of the album confirms the heavenly theme to it; it starts off with regality and opulence. Meanwhile, the ‘hell’ part of the album is more intense and ominous; a contrast from the former. Despite their differences, the album is still ruled by Max’s artistry throughout the album.
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Spectrum Culture
Heaven & Hell makes up for the lack of individuality or innovation by delivering on strong vocals, artistic ability and the nostalgic yearning to get on the dance floor when that one song comes on. Unlike other pop artists of this caliber, such as Kim Petras, Max doesn’t have to try as hard to be interesting: she has the talent and ability beneath the “Sweet but Psycho” façade to create something much bolder.
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The Fuel Online
The album was definitely a hit, with even the cliche sounding songs being good. Max definitely proved her talent with her debut studio album, leaving the listeners ready to hear more from her.
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Square One Magazine
This is not ground-breaking material. Is it riddled with references of our pop past? Absolutely! Does it extend on the limitations of what constitutes as pop music? Not really. But is it pop music done well? You betcha! Heaven & Hell is the perfect example of the ‘if it’s not broke, why fix it’ mentality.
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The Central Trend
Ava Max’s Heaven & Hell serves no originality nor spirit to satisfy 2020’s pop industry.
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Aural Fixation
For better or for worse, it provides a consistent level of service to reflect the Ava Max lifestyle of exile and excess.
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