Ava Max is entering a new chapter. Her third studio album, Don’t Click Play, arrives this Friday, August 22, via Atlantic Records. The project has been years in the making and is shaping up to be the most ambitious of her career so far.
After closing out her On Tour (Finally) run in September 2023, Ava quickly hinted that she was back in the studio, teasing fans with “Album 3 loading.” By early 2024, she confirmed she was experimenting with sounds outside her trademark electro-pop, exploring pop-rock, slower ballads, and even country elements. “This new album has slower songs and some pop, rock, and country records that fans have never heard from me,” she explained, calling it the best work of her life. To mark the new era, she also brought back her signature max-cut hairstyle.
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Originally, Ava had planned to drop the album in late 2024, but she scrapped most of the material, saying it lacked cohesion. Instead, she returned to the studio with a sharper vision. The result is a 12-track record that balances familiar pop hooks with new textures. The official tracklist includes previously released singles “Lost Your Faith,” “Lovin Myself,” and “Wet, Hot American Dream,” alongside nine new songs such as “How Can I Dance,” “Sucks to Be My Ex,” and “World’s Smallest Violin.” The title track, Don’t Click Play, opens the album.
Full tracklist:
1. Don’t Click Play
2. How Can I Dance
3. Lovin Myself
4. Sucks to Be My Ex
5. Wet, Hot American Dream
6. Take My Call
7. Know Somebody
8. Lost Your Faith
9. Fight for Me
10. Skin in the Game
11. World’s Smallest Violin
12. Catch My Breath
The rollout hasn’t been without turbulence. Earlier this summer, Ava canceled her Don’t Click Play Tour across North America and Europe, explaining that she needed more time to create shows that live up to her vision. While she promised fans it would be “worth the wait,” the move drew criticism and sparked speculation about her next steps. Adding to the tension, she has been completely silent on social media since July 7, leaving no updates on Instagram, TikTok, or X. Still, Atlantic Records has confirmed that the album is arriving on schedule.
Despite modest chart performance for its singles, Ava’s fanbase has stayed loyal, with “Lovin Myself” and “Wet, Hot American Dream” voted as fan favorites upon release.
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