Don't Click Play

Last updated

Don't Click Play
Ava Max - Don't Click Play.png
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
RecordedSeptember 2023 – 2025
Length34:43
Label Atlantic
Producer
Ava Max chronology
Diamonds & Dancefloors
(2023)
Don't Click Play
(2025)
Singles from Don't Click Play
  1. "Lost Your Faith"
    Released: February 7, 2025
  2. "Lovin Myself"
    Released: May 29, 2025
  3. "Wet, Hot American Dream"
    Released: July 1, 2025

Don't Click Play is the third studio album by American singer Ava Max. It was released on August 22, 2025, through Atlantic Records. The album was promoted by the release of three singles: "Lost Your Faith", "Lovin Myself" and "Wet, Hot American Dream". It followed her 2023 album Diamonds & Dancefloors and marked the beginning of a new era after her debut headlining tour.

Contents

Development of the album began in late 2023, though an initial version was later scrapped. In the lead-up to release, Max adopted a relatively low promotional profile, with the album rollout drawing attention for its minimal activity and the postponement of her accompanying tour.

Musically, Don't Click Play incorporates themes of empowerment, online criticism, and personal growth, while also addressing long-standing comparisons to Lady Gaga. Upon release, it received mixed reviews: critics praised its listenable dance-pop style but noted a lack of cohesion and innovation compared to her earlier work.

Background and development

In 2023, Max released her second studio album Diamonds & Dancefloors and embarked on her debut headlining concert tour, On Tour (Finally). In September, she started working on her third studio album after the end of the tour. [1] In March 2024, Max posted a snippet of her single "My Oh My" and indicated that it was the beginning of a new era. [2] In an interview with Billboard the following May, she stated that she was preparing for her third album cycle "with no heartbreak attached and no man attached," describing "My Oh My" as "the beginning of me" and reflecting on a period of personal healing. [3] The song was initially intended to serve as the lead single of her third studio album; [4] however, after the release of her single "Spot a Fake" on September 20, [5] she revealed that only the latter would be included on the album. [6] Nevertheless, in an interview with People , Max mentioned that she scrapped the first version of the album — which included "My Oh My" and "Spot a Fake" — due to personal issues. [7]

In the months leading up to the release, Max's promotional activity was notably limited. After a Fourth of July performance and the release of a single on July 1, she largely withdrew from social media, sharing little about the project. Despite her absence online, sources confirmed to Rolling Stone that Don't Click Play remained scheduled for release on August 22, 2025. The publication also reported the album's 12-track listing and credits, which included production from Pink Slip, Inverness, David Stewart, Johnny Goldstein, Ammo, and Fede. Fans responded with concern and speculation about the rollout, pointing to the cancellation of the Don't Click Play tour and Max's lack of posts since early July. Leading up to the album, Max released three singles: "Lost Your Faith" in February, "Lovin Myself" in May, and "Wet, Hot American Dream" in July. Each was accompanied by a music video, though promotion was minimal. Unlike her previous albums Heaven & Hell (2020) and Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023), both of which were delayed due to leaks, Don't Click Play was released as planned. [8]

Max addresses comparisons to Lady Gaga on the title track of the album GagaSpurs290722 (33 of 39) (52250248117) (cropped 2).jpg
Max addresses comparisons to Lady Gaga on the title track of the album

On August 19, 2025, however, a snippet of the title track "Don't Click Play" was leaked online prior to its official release. According to Rolling Stone, a source close to Max confirmed the authenticity of the leak. The lyrics include a self-referential line addressing long-standing comparisons between Max and Lady Gaga, with the singer incorporating nods to her own song "Kings & Queens" (2020) and Gaga's "Poker Face" (2008). [9] [10] Max had previously spoken about such comparisons in interviews, telling Nylon in 2023, she said that while some commentary felt "kind of mean", she ultimately found the comparisons flattering, joking that "who doesn't love Gaga?!" and noting that changing her appearance had only shifted comparisons to other artists like Dua Lipa. [11] In May 2025, she told People that she intentionally avoided outside influences when making Don't Click Play, describing her process as introspective and rooted in rediscovering her pop sensibilities. "I feel like there's a lot of "Kings & Queens"-feeling songs on the album", she said, framing the project as a return to her musical beginnings. [12]

Composition

Speaking to Rolling Stone , she described "Lovin Myself" as stemming from a realization about self-acceptance and personal growth. [8] As described by Billboard , the album cover features Max inside a flaming triangle resembling a play button, gripping its edges. [13] Max explained that Dont Click Play was created both as a personal challenge and as proof that she could craft pop songs independently of her past collaborators. She noted that the album reflects a variety of moods from the year-and-a-half recording process, with each track designed to be distinct while still contributing to an overarching story. Lyrically, the record touches on themes of self-empowerment, online criticism, and recovery from heartbreak. [14]

The title track addresses comparisons to Lady Gaga and sampling controversies, while songs such as "Know Somebody" draw from her experiences with difficult breakups. Max emphasized that the project represents both her musical evolution and her desire to create an album that "feeds the soul". [14] In the song, Max is heard singing "She samples, singing Gaga imitations/ Can't kings and queens look good with poker faces?". The line not only makes reference to her own hit song "Kings & Queens", but also the breakthrough Lady Gaga hit "Poker Face". She continues in the song, brushing off the criticism: "But I'm loving myself even if you hate it". According to a report from Rolling Stone, a source close to Max confirmed that the leaked snippet is real and is taken from the title track of her new album Don't Click Play. [9]

Promotion

On April 9, 2025, Max shared a link to a website called "Don't Click Play on Ava Max", where visitors could click a "Sign the Petition" button and listen to a snippet of an upcoming album single. [15] She announced the album on May 1, by quoting Ed Sheeran's announcement of his upcoming eighth studio album, Play , on Twitter/X. [16] [17] On August 22, other songs confirmed for the album including "How Can I Dance," "Take My Call," "Skin in the Game," and "World's Smallest Violin," in addition to the previously released singles. [12]

Singles

On February 7, 2025, Max released "Lost Your Faith" as the lead single of her third studio album. [18] An accompanying music video was released on March 18, 2025. [19] On May 23, 2025, Max teased the second single from the album via her social media, "Lovin Myself", which was released on May 29. [20] On July 1, 2025, Max released the third single, "Wet, Hot American Dream", ahead of her scheduled performance on the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks special. The track, released just days before the national holiday, aligned with the festive theme of the event, where she performed alongside artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, Lenny Kravitz, Keke Palmer, and Trisha Yearwood. [21]

Tour

On June 16, 2025, Max announced the Don't Click Play Tour, which was set to begin on September 3 in Los Angeles and end on November 20 in Lisbon. [22] [23] However, the tour was postponed indefinitely on July 3. [24]

Critical reception

Don't Click Play ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [25]
EarmilkStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [26]
Jenesaispop Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [27]
Showbiz by PS4.5/10 [28]

Don't Click Play received mixed reviews from critics, who found some tracks enjoyable but regarded it as her weakest effort to date. Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described Don't Click Play as a collection of enjoyable dance-pop tracks with some highlights, though noted it lacked the cohesion and impact of Max's earlier albums. [25] Showbiz by PS concluded that while Don't Click Play is listenable and inoffensive, it ultimately portrays Max as a formulaic professional rather than a boundary-pushing artist, offering little beyond background streams and radio play. [28] Writing for Jenesaispop , Sebas E. Alonso described the album as "pleasant and agile in its half-hour runtime." He positively highlighted the absence of ballads, calling it "one of its strong points." However, Alonso noted that, despite the album's upbeat tone, Max's vocals often conveyed a sense of "sadness." He concluded by stating that Don't Click Play "is more the album Ava Max needed to record than the one the public needed." [27]

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, Don't Click Play became Max's first album to miss the top 100 on the UK Albums Chart, however it reached number 28 on the UK Albums Sales Chart. [29] In Scotland, the album reached number 43 on the Scottish Albums Chart. [30] In Germany, Don't Click Play debuted at number 59, becoming Max's first album to miss the top ten in the country. [31] In France, the album debuted at number 80, Max's lowest placing album in the country. [32] Additionally, Don't Click Play reached the top 30 in Austria, [33] Switzerland [34] and the Wallonia region of Belgium. [35]

Track listing

Don't Click Play track listing [36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Don't Click Play"
2:28
2."How Can I Dance"
  • Koci
  • Jim Lavigne
  • Buckley
  • JBach
2:26
3."Lovin Myself"
Pink Slip [p] 2:56
4."Sucks to Be My Ex"
Pink Slip [p] 3:23
5."Wet, Hot American Dream"
  • Alida Garpestad Peck
  • Koci
  • JBach
  • Buckley
2:56
6."Take My Call"
  • Goldstein
  • Inverness [v]
2:53
7."Know Somebody"
3:25
8."Lost Your Faith"
  • Clampitt
  • Pink Slip
3:14
9."Fight for Me"
  • Lindgren
  • Inverness [v]
2:35
10."Skin in the Game"
  • Frequency
  • Inverness [v]
2:49
11."World's Smallest Violin"
  • Koci
  • Arthur Remond
  • Hamid Bashir
  • Buckley
  • Pink Slip
  • Re\mind
  • Stryv
2:28
12."Catch My Breath"
  • Koci
  • Buckley
  • Harris
3:11
Total length:34:48

Notes

Personnel

Credits were adapted from Tidal. [37]

Charts

Chart performance for Don't Click Play
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [33] 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [38] 58
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [35] 25
French Albums (SNEP) [32] 80
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [31] 59
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon) [39] 26
Japanese Download Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [40] 31
Scottish Albums (OCC) [30] 43
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [34] 28
UK Albums Sales (OCC) [41] 28

References

  1. Gotto, Connor (September 11, 2023). "Ava Max admits touring has 'changed how I see the art of making music' as she begins work on third studio album". Retropop. Archived from the original on November 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  2. Romero, Andrea (March 20, 2024). "Ava Max presenta un adelanto de 'My Oh My', el primer single de su tercer disco" [Ava Max presents an advance of 'My Oh My', the first single from her third album] (in European Spanish). Spain: Los 40. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  3. Kaufman, Gil (January 2, 2025). "Ava Max Asks Fans to 'Respect My Art' and Not Leak Her Songs". Billboard . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  4. Kaufman, Gil (May 7, 2024). "Ava Max on Proudly Entering 'My Oh My' Era With No Heartbreak, No Man Attached: 'This Is the Beginning Of Me'". Billboard . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  5. Pérez García, Sandra (September 20, 2024). "Ava Max nos vigila con prismáticos y no deja pasar ni una en su nuevo single: 'Spot a Fake'" [Ava Max keeps a close watch with binoculars and doesn't miss a thing in her new single: 'Spot a Fake'] (in European Spanish). Spain: Los 40. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  6. AskAnythingChat (November 30, 2024). Ava Max Is 'Forever Young' . Retrieved May 3, 2025 via YouTube.
  7. Irvin, Jack (May 30, 2025). "Ava Max Felt Lost. How Returning to Her Signature Lopsided Hair Made Her Feel Like Herself Again (Exclusive)". People . United States. ISSN   0093-7673. OCLC   794712888. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Mier, Tomás (August 14, 2025). "Ava Max's Album 'Don't Click Play' Is 'Still Set' for Release, Despite Singer's Absence: Sources" . Rolling Stone. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Dunworth, Liberty (August 20, 2025). "Leaked Ava Max song 'Don't Click Play' sees her tackle comparisons to Lady Gaga". NME. United Kingdom. ISSN   0028-6362. OCLC   60624023. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  10. Mier, Tomás (August 19, 2025). "Ava Max Addresses Lady Gaga 'Imitation' Hate on Leaked 'Don't Click Play' Song" . Rolling Stone. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  11. Stern, Bradley (February 24, 2023). "Ava Max Would Rather Be Daring Than Boring". Nylon. United States: Bustle Digital Group. ISSN   1524-1750. Archived from the original on May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Watts, Marina (August 21, 2025). "Ava Max Addresses Longtime Lady Gaga Comparisons in New Leaked Song Lyrics". People. United States. ISSN   0093-7673. OCLC   794712888. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  13. Peters, Mitchell (June 1, 2025). "Fans Choose Ava Max's 'Lovin Myself' as This Week's Favorite New Music". Billboard . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Mier, Tomás (August 21, 2025). "Why Ava Max Disappeared: 'I Almost Lost Myself'" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  15. Dailey, Hannah (April 9, 2025). "Ava Max Trolls Fans With Fake Petition Protesting Her Own Music". Billboard . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  16. Iasimone, Ashley (May 3, 2025). "Ava Max Announces 'Don't Click Play' Album, Reveals Release Date & Cover Art". Billboard . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  17. Stickler, Jon (May 6, 2025). "Ava Max to Release Third Album 'Don't Click Play' in August". Stereoboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  18. Williams, Aaron (February 7, 2025). "Ava Max Sends A Message Of Hope With The Optimistic 'Lost Your Faith'". Uproxx . United States. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  19. Mier, Tomás (March 19, 2025). "Ava Max Teases a 'New Album' as She Drops 'Lost Your Faith' Video" . Rolling Stone . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  20. Paul, Larisha (May 29, 2025). "Ava Max Takes Back Her Power on New Single 'Lovin Myself'" . Rolling Stone. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  21. Rossignol, Derrick (July 1, 2025). "Ava Max Wants To Be Your 'Wet, Hot American Dream' On Her Spicy New Single". Uproxx . United States. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  22. Mier, Tomás (June 16, 2025). "Ava Max Will Celebrate 'Don't Click Play' With a North American Tour" . Rolling Stone . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  23. Gehlich, Clare (June 24, 2025). "Ava Max announces European and UK leg of 'Don't Click Play Tour'". Melodic Magazine. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  24. "Ava Max postpones 2025 tour to improve show quality". The Express Tribune . Pakistan: Lakson Group. July 3, 2025. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Neil Z. Yeung. "Don't Click Play - Ava Max | Album". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  26. Hernandez, Royvi (August 26, 2025). ""Don't Click Play" to Ava Max's latest album because you will play it twice every night [Album Review]'". EARMILK. Retrieved August 30, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. 1 2 E. Alonso, Sebas (August 26, 2025). "Ava Max / Don't Click Play". Jenesaispop . Retrieved August 30, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. 1 2 Strong, Tim (August 22, 2025). "Album Review: Ava Max - Don't Click Play". Showbiz by PS. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  29. "Ava Max songs and albums - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  30. 1 2 "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Offiziellecharts.de – Ava Max – Don't Click Play" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Top Albums (Semaine du 29 Aout 2025)". SNEP . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  33. 1 2 "Longplay Charts vom 29. August 2025". Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  34. 1 2 "Swisscharts.com – Ava Max – Don't Click Play". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  35. 1 2 "Ultratop.be – Ava Max – Don't Click Play" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  36. Mier, Tomás (August 14, 2025). "Ava Max's Album 'Don't Click Play' Is 'Still Set' for Release, Despite Singer's Absence: Sources" . Rolling Stone . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  37. "Don't Click Play / Ava Max / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  38. "Ultratop.be – Ava Max – Don't Click Play" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  39. "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: 2025-09-01" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  40. "Billboard Japan Download Albums – August 27, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  41. "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved August 30, 2025.