This is the debut album for Austen Starr who has a band of talented musicians backing her up on this release. Joel Hoekstra (Guitars) of Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Chris Collier (Bass/Drums) of Lita Ford), Steve Ferlazzo (Keyboards) of Avril Lavigne and Chloe Lowery (Backing Vocals), also of Trans-Siberian Orchestra are the ensemble cast.

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There is a hint towards Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift in Austen Starr’s vocal range, making it an easy on the ears experience. ‘Remain Unseen’ opens the album but beyond Starr’s vocal, doesn’t grab me like an album opener should. ‘Read Your Mind’ hints towards an Amy Lee sound to Starr’s voice and is a nice listen, although seems early in the album to slow the song tempo down as it does. The Avril Lavigne style title track is fun pop rock track, for those with a penchant for “cookie cutter” rock.

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‘Medusa’ has a shade more edge to it, maybe would have been a better opening track for the album? The Taylor Swift-esque ‘Until I See You Again’ is more pop rock, sugar coated fodder. Austen Starr’s image and sound is definitely mainstream market material. ‘Get Out Alive’ finally delivers a song with something resembling a hard rock punch. The chorus is still catchy enough to appeal to poppier fanbase.

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‘Effigy’ keeps up the suddenly found heavier edge to the albums sound. There is still plenty of pop vibes entwined, maintaining the crossover appeal. The album seems to have settled into a rockier sound as ‘Running Out of Time’ continues this mid-album run. Flickers of Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne can always be heard in Starr’s vocal repertoire.

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‘All Alone’ moves back into the poppier realms of Starr’s style. It’s a catchy pop rocker with a mid-2000’s feel. ‘Not This Life’, offering heaps of Lavigne/Swift influence. Like the previous track I could see being on the radio back in the noughties’. Closing the album is ‘The Light’ which brings back the Amy Lee feel to Starr’s voice. The lyrics aren’t far away from what you would expect from an Evanescence song either.

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A bit of a mixed bag for me this debut. The track order could do with a switch around, which would give it better flow. I wouldn’t suggest or claim to being in the target demographic for Austen Starr’s fanbase. That being said, I can see a bright future ahead of this budding talent. Starr has the look, sound and potential to be what Avril Lavigne was in the 2000’s.

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A new pop/rock Starr has just emerged in 2026!