Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome new tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, pop star Ava Max turns the page on two devastating breakups by lavishing herself in diamonds and heading to the club.
In the title track from her just-released album, Diamonds & Dancefloors, the 28-year-old star sings, "Diamonds and dance floors, that's all I want / I miss the rhythm keeping me warm / Drown me in glitter, glitter and gold / All that I ask for, ask for, ask for."
Described as her most personal work yet, the singer-songwriter's sophomore album is a reflection of how she managed to channel her heartbreak into creative energy. The single "Diamonds & Dancefloors" evokes the vibe of Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa in what allmusic.com called an early-Nineties house anthem. Themusicalhype.com called the album "one of the best musical gems of 2023."
The original album cover design shows the artist immersed in a sea of diamonds with a large gem balanced on her pursed lips.
Max, who blasted on the music scene in 2018 with her mega-hit "Sweet but Psycho," didn't have a smooth ride to the top of the pop charts. She struggled mightily in her late teens and early 20s, and at one point had to survive on $20 per week.
All that changed when the Milwaukee-born performer met up with Canadian record producer Cirkut at a dinner party. Max impressed the producer by singing "Happy Birthday" and the two began collaborating on many songs, including "Anyone but You." That single earned the attention of Atlantic Records in 2016 and Max finally had a record deal.
The Diamonds & Dancefloors album was executive-produced by Cirkut, and the 14 songs include elements of Max's signature electro-pop melodies with some Nineties synths and a touch of disco, according to rollingstone.com.
She told the magazine that making music always came naturally to her, and she's grateful for how much her parents sacrificed to support her ambitions. The singer's mom and dad had fled a war-torn Albania in the Nineties, seeking a better life.
“If they didn’t risk their lives, I wouldn’t be here,” she told the magazine. “They came here with nothing.”
The release of Diamonds & Dancefloors is a testament to her parents' fortitude and resilience.
Please check out the audio track of "Diamonds and Dancefloors." The lyrics are below if you like to sing along…
"Diamonds & Dancefloors"
Written by Henry Walter, Caroline Ailin, Michael Pollack and Ava Max. Performed by Ava Max.
Alone with me, myself and I
Watching the night passing me by
Losing myself inside a lucid dream, I
Don't wanna waste any more time
I'm dancing in the kitchen light
It don't feel wrong, it don't feel right
My heart's been calling for a midnight memory
The only thing that's on my mind
Diamonds and dance floors, that's all I want
I miss the rhythm keeping me warm
Drown me in glitter, glitter and gold
All that I ask for, ask for, ask for
Is diamonds and dance floors in every dream
I miss the music surrounding me
Drown me in glitter, glitter and gold
All that I ask for, ask for, ask for
I close my eyes and disappear
Vibrations in the atmosphere
It's psychological imagination
Why can't I bring this feeling here? (Oh)
Diamonds and dance floors, that's all I want (All I want)
I miss the rhythm keeping me warm (Keepin' me warm)
Drown me in glitter, glitter and gold (Gold)
All that I ask for, ask for, ask for
Is diamonds and dance floors in every dream
I miss the music surrounding me
Drown me in glitter, glitter and gold
All that I ask for, ask for, ask for (Oh)
Diamonds and dance floors
Diamonds and dance floors
Diamonds and dance, diamonds and dancefloors
Diamonds and dance, diamonds and dancefloors
Diamonds and dance, dancefloors, dancefloors
Diamonds and dance floors
Credits: Image of Diamonds and Dancefloors Ruby Vinyl album via avamaxstore.com.