Ava Max - Violins & Vengeance (2025)
It works as a rebranding of her third album Don't Click Play, which had a terrible rollout and a tracklist just as messy. As much as I love Lost Your Faith, I don't think it should've been a single. It works better as an album-only track.
First, it borrows tracks scrapped from both Diamonds & Dancefloors and Don't Click Play, although realistically it wouldn't be quite likely since her relationship with Cirkut and Madison Love ended. I even thought of sneaking Wild Thing (from Heaven & Hell) as it fits the revenge theme and stuff, but it didn't work as I planned. Still I tried to keep a cohesive narrative-esque order with the songs.
I cut two tracks in the end, Never Be Yours (it fits thematically right after Spot a Fake but it's too demoish) and Take It All (while it fits lyrically, I think it's not as strong as the rest of the album). I still think Wild Thing should've had a home here, but I don't know where to put it. Maybe in the second half (replacing Sucks to Be My Ex? inofensive bop but WT is superior).
It is also retitled to continue with the dual motifs of her first and second albums. It would work as two halves, tracks 1-7 and 8-14.
Singles from Violins & Vengeance:
"My Oh My"
"Spot a Fake"
"One Night"
"How Can I Dance"
"World's Smallest Violin"
"Wet, Hot American Dream" (promotional single)
Tracklist:
How Can I Dance
Wet, Hot American Dream
Catch My Breath
Take My Call
One Night Diamonds & Dancefloors outtake
Skin in the Game
Fight for Me
Lost Your Faith
Know Somebody
The Cards Don't Click Play outtake
Spot a Fake Don't Click Play outtake
Sucks to Be My Ex
World's Smallest Violin
My Oh My Don't Click Play outtake
I decided to propose a deluxe edition featuring On My Own, Never Be Yours, Take It All and Wild Thing as bonus tracks.