[USED:Cond.A] Under My Skin

Having sold so many copies of ‘Let Go’ she could probably have retired to enjoy the rest of her life (probably with her very own ‘Sk8er Boi’), you’d think Avril Lavigne would be content with her lot. Not so, on second album ‘Under My Skin’ she’s still the little bundle of punk rage that spat, and roared throughout her magnificent debut.

Having ditched the songwriting talents that were behind her previous hits, Lavigne has begun working with her guitarist to produce a more mature, but never less than totally rocking, new album. Opening with the full throttle drama of ‘Take Me Away’ and ‘Together’ – ‘Under My Skin’ lays out Lavigne’s intentions from the off. Not content with being kiddie-friendly punk, Lavigne looks set to broaden her appeal to a more music savvy crowd who need a bit of bite to their pop. First single ‘Don’t Tell Me’ tells, explicitly, of Avril’s reluctance to jump in the sack with any old boy whilst ‘Who Knows’ is unbridled optimism and, therefore, a welcome change from Lavigne’s usual strop-rock. Elsewhere second single ‘My Happy Ending’ is a gargantuan anthem, that recalls a young Alanis Morissette and ‘Freak Out’ features Linkin Park style guitars before morphing into a swirling, melodic monster. Final track ‘I Always Get What I Want’ ends the album off in terrific fashion with a full on punk blast showcasing a new vocal inflection that makes the pocket rocker sound truly menacing.

‘Under My Skin’ is a triumphant sophomore effort from the punk princess. As her recent secret gig at the Camden Monarch proved, she’s keen to shake off the teen-rocking image of her past and achieve a more credible impression. She’s pretty much succeeded but where she goes from here is anyone’s guess. Don’t rule out some Steve Albini produced mayhem for album three.