Avril Lavigne announces music comeback after being struck down by Lyme disease

Avril Lavigne is making her music comeback.

The 33-year-old pop star – who hasn’t put out a new album since 2013 – wrote an open letter to fans unveiling the exciting news that she will be releasing new music very soon.

"I'm so excited to finally be able to announce the first single off my new album along with its release date," Avril shared on her website.

"Five years have gone by since I released my last album. I spent the last few years at home sick fighting Lyme Disease. Those were the worst years of my life as I went through both physical and emotional battles.

"I was able to turn that fight into music I’m really proud of. I wrote songs in my bed and on the couch and recorded there mostly as well. Words and lyrics that were so true to my experience came pouring out of me effortlessly. Truly... by keeping my spirits up, having goals to reach and a purpose to live for, my music helped to heal me and keep me alive."

The Complicated hitmaker also revealed that her new song Head Above Water is set to come out on September 19 and tells the story of her struggle with Lyme Disease.

"Thank you for waiting so patiently as I fought through and still continue to fight, the battle of my lifetime. The first song I am choosing to release is called Head Above Water. It is also the first song I wrote from my bed during one of the scariest moments of my life," she continued.

"I now have a very strong, triumphant, powerful and true record to me and my experiences over the last few years.

"I’m so excited to be returning with new music and to have you on this journey with me. Let’s do this! New era!"

The singer also shared a series of photos on her Instagram, of her underwater, likely teasing the songs music video which was shot last month.

In 2015 Avril revealed that she had been diagnosed with Lyme disease.

We’re so glad to hear she’s made it through and can’t wait to hear her new music!

Read Avril’s full blog post:

Hi guys,

I’m so excited to finally be able to announce the first single off my new album along with its release date. Five years have gone by since I released my last album. I spent the last few years at home sick fighting Lyme Disease. Those were the worst years of my life as I went through both physical and emotional battles. I was able to turn that fight into music I’m really proud of. I wrote songs in my bed and on the couch and recorded there mostly as well. Words and lyrics that were so true to my experience came pouring out of me effortlessly. Truly... by keeping my spirits up, having goals to reach and a purpose to live for, my music helped to heal me and keep me alive.

Thank you for waiting so patiently as I fought through and still continue to fight, the battle of my lifetime. The first song I am choosing to release is called “Head Above Water.” It is also the first song I wrote from my bed during one of the scariest moments of my life. I had accepted death and could feel my body shutting down. I felt like I was drowning. Like I was going underwater and I just needed to come up for air. Like I was in a river being pulled in a current. Unable to breathe. Praying to God for Him to help me just keep my head above the water. To help me see through the stormy weather. I grew closer to Him. My mother held me. In her arms, I wrote the first song that I am releasing to tell my story. I later met a beautiful soul, Travis Clark, and we sat down at the piano and sculpted the rest of the song. Then I took it to the genius, Stephan Moccio and love what he did to the music.

I have decided to be truthful about my struggle, open and more vulnerable than ever before. And to be honest, part of me doesn’t want to talk about being sick because I want it to all be behind me, but I know I have to. Because not only is it a part of my life, I need to bring awareness to the severity of Lyme Disease. A single bug bite can f**k you up hard. People aren’t aware that Lyme must be treated almost immediately. Often if they are aware, they go untreated simply because they can’t get a Lyme diagnosis! And even when they do get a diagnosis, a lot of times they simply can’t afford the treatment.

My Foundation wants to be sure that doesn’t happen as often as it does, so on our website, we’re now providing Lyme prevention resources, and links so you can connect with Lyme Literate doctors (that have learned how to correctly diagnose this disease and provide treatment as quickly as possible). Soon we’ll be announcing an alliance with top scientific teams that will accelerate Lyme research. And we’re about to launch an initiative that YOU can help us with - so that together, we can help more individuals affected by Lyme Disease get the treatment they desperately need to come out the other side of this insidious disease.

Please, join us in the fight while I tell the world my story and bring awareness to Lyme Disease. I’m taking my life back into my own hands and doing what it is I know I am meant to be doing in this life time. Making music. And sharing my healing and hope, through my music. I wish for this all to touch you, to bring you strength, to lift you up, to inspire and to encourage you. I want more than ANYTHING to be back up on stage. To be holding my guitars and running around. To sing my heart out and travel around the world to see all of my fans. I will do EVERYTHING I can to get back up on stage, to travel, to sing to you, to work again. But I have to always listen to my body and keep a healthy balance, so please be patient as we go. I wrote and recorded this album and to me this is a victorious moment. A huge accomplishment. I am very proud and thankful to everyone who waited so patiently and lovingly with me to support this process for me.

Here. I now have a very strong, triumphant, powerful and true record to me and my experiences over the last few years. My first single is called “Head Above Water”, and it will be here on September 19th. I’m so excited to be returning with new music and to have you on this journey with me. Let’s do this! New era!

All My Love,
Avril