Diamonds & Dancefloors

by Ava Max

Overview

On her stellar sophomore set, Diamonds & Dancefloors, American pop hitmaker Ava Max bests her 2020 breakthrough debut with precision focus and a bounty of catchy hooks. Yet another instance where every track could be a lead single, the album is indebted to '80s synth-based dance-pop ("Million Dollar Baby," "Weapons") and early-'90s house anthems ("Ghost," "Diamonds & Dancefloors"), extending her pedigree as the next logical progression after forebears like Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa. With executive producer Cirkut back in tow, Diamonds & Dancefloors seamlessly evolves the playful pop heard on Heaven & Hell and hones the attack with an icy determination born from recent breakups. Hardened by heartbreak, Max takes her pain to the dancefloor, drying her tears through the power of pop. The energy never relents -- the skittering two-step of the Omar Fedi-assisted "In the Dark" is the closest thing to a "break" -- and it's pure, irresistible thrills from start to finish, buoyed by the power of Max's vocal range and passionate delivery. Beyond the official singles, other highlights include the dark synth creep of "Sleepwalker"; the disco-kissed earworm "Turn Off the Lights"; the electronic dance bliss of "Get Outta My Heart" (which samples Bernard Herrmann's Twisted Nerve score); and the pulsing neon-electro "Last Night on Earth." Deftly executed and ideal for repeat listens, Diamonds & Dancefloors makes it two-for-two for Max's catalog, delivering on the promise of her debut and pushing her even further toward the top of the early-2020s pop pantheon. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	01/27/2023
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678635083

Tracks

1. Million Dollar Baby
2. Sleepwalker
3. Maybe You¿¿¿re the Problem
4. Ghost
5. Hold Up (Wait a Minute)
6. Weapons
7. Diamonds & Dancefloors
8. In the Dark
9. Turn Off the Lights
10. One of Us
11. Get Outta My Heart
12. Cold as Ice
13. Last Night on Earth
14. Dancing¿¿¿s Done

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ava Max   Primary Artist,Vocals
Cirkut   Co-Producer
David Stewart   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Serban Ghenea   Mixing
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
John Hanes   Engineer
Ryan Tedder   Composer
Rollo   Composer
Jonas Jeberg   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Diane Warren   Composer
Michael Pollack   Composer
Bernard Herrmann   Composer
Jason Evigan   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Spencer Bastian   Composer
Tom Norris   Mixing
BURNS   Musician,Producer,Programming
Matthew Burns   Composer,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Jakke Erixson   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Marcus Lomax   Composer
Melanie Fontana   Composer
Cirkut   Musician,Producer,Programming,Vocal Producer,Instrumentation
Uzoechi Emenike   Composer
Alexander Izquierdo   Composer
Brett McLaughlin   Composer
Samuel Martin   Composer
Connor McDonough   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Michel Schulz   Composer
Caroline Ailin   Composer
Sam Martin   Composer
Madison Love   Composer
Henry Walter   Composer
Nate Merchant   Composer
Pablo Bowman   Composer
Johnny Goldstein   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Abraham Dertner   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Sean Douglas   Composer
David Stewart   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Jesse Aicher   Composer
Nathaniel William Merchan   Composer
Amanda Ava Koci   Composer
Peter Rycroft   Composer,Producer
Omer Fedi   Composer,Musician,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation
Bryce Bordone   Mixing Engineer,Mixing Assistant
Lostboy   Producer
Riley McDonough   Composer
Jessica Agombar   Composer
Lindgren   Producer
Tor Eimon   Producer,Additional Production
Deba Dakaj   Composer