Fresh off being named pop artist of the year at the Basadi in music awards, iranian-South African popstar Ava like lava continues her year of monthly releases with ‘Club Penguin’ — a moody alternative-pop record about surviving the fear of dying too young.
As Ava’s eighth release this year and coinciding with her birthday, ‘Club Penguin’ arrives when she has just turned 27 — an age often discussed in the context of artists who did not live past it. However, this track does not glorify the 27 club.
The song expresses a deep desire for life, grappling with a fear that goes beyond death: the anxiety of passing away before fulfilling dreams, completing one’s work, or evolving into the person one believes they can be.
<span Musically, ‘Club Penguin’ marks a significant shift from Ava’s previous works. Featuring soulful, alternative sounds enhanced by live instrumentation, it unveils aspects of her musical identity that were previously hidden.
Ava attributes part of this evolution to her teenage discovery of Arctic Monkeys — a band that broadened her musical horizons. In ‘Club Penguin’, this early influence integrates into her personal artistic expression without detracting from the diverse pop universe she has cultivated over the years.
The track’s dynamic revolves around the contrast between life and death, darkness and joy, and fear and movement. By the time Ava sings, “I don’t wanna rush / I don’t want to die,” the narrative transforms into a personal testament: a recognition of gratitude for being alive. ‘Club Penguin’ will be available on all major streaming platforms on August 27, 2026.
