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Photo: Lauren Dunn

We're three months in, and Ava Max is already taking 2019 by storm. The rising pop sensation is back from the massive success of her previous releases with her latest single, "So Am I," which comes with a powerfully sanguine video. Max came onto the scene with her 2018 single "My Way," and established herself as a pop star in the making with her smash single "Sweet but Psycho," which currently sits at nearly half a billion streams on Spotify alone, hitting #1 on numerous charts from Spotify's "United States Viral 50" to Billboard's "Hot 100." She hit the stages of both The Late Late Show with James Corden and The TODAY Show to kick off the new year, giving electric performances of "Sweet but Psycho" and flaunting her pipes live.  

Max has a lot to say, and cuts through the glossiness of mainstream pop music with empowering messages for young women. Her latest single is no exception.

Photo: Lauren Dunn

"So Am I" has an addictive melody, with Max's siren-like vocals soaring over upbeat pop production. Within rhythmic, growly verses, she sings of trying to fit herself into a very narrow definition of what is acceptable in our society. Max commented on the meaning behind the single,  

"'So Am I' is about loving yourself, being different, being an outcast and not fitting in the format that society wants to put us in - just celebrating what really makes you different. Whenever I'm feeling down, I remind myself that my flaws make me perfect, because in reality there is no perfect."

The song is empowering in a "walk-the-walk" kind of way. Instead of simply telling her listeners to accept their faults, Max offers empathy by putting herself into the mix of imperfect people, singing,

"Do you ever feel like a misfit, everything inside you is dark and twisted? It's ok to be different, cuz baby so am I."

Max is currently nominated as a "Rising Star" by the UK's Global Awards, and we couldn't agree more with their assessment. Stay tuned for more from the songstress, and give "So Am I" some streaming love in the meantime.

Photo: Lauren Dunn