"Flames" is a song by American singer Mod Sun featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne. The song was released by Big Noise on January 8, 2021, as the third single from Mod Sun's fourth studio album Internet Killed the Rockstar. The song was written by Mod Sun, Lavigne and John Feldmann, and produced by the latter.

"Flames"
Single by Mod Sun featuring Avril Lavigne
from the album Internet Killed the Rockstar
ReleasedJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Recorded2020
Genre
Length2:31
LabelBig Noise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Feldmann
Mod Sun singles chronology
"Bones"
(2020)
"Flames"
(2021)
"Heavy"
(2021)
Avril Lavigne singles chronology
"We Are Warriors"
(2020)
"Flames"
(2021)
"Bite Me"
(2021)
Music video

Background and release

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In December 2020, Lavigne confirmed she was recording music with Mod Sun along with producers John Feldmann, Travis Barker and Machine Gun Kelly.[5] Mod Sun also declared in December 2020 that his upcoming fourth studio album will include one collaboration with another singer.[6] In January 2021, the featured artist was revealed to be Lavigne.[7]

"Flames" was announced on January 1, 2021 when Mod Sun and Lavigne posted the pre-save link together with the single's cover on Instagram and Twitter.[8][9] "Flames" was released for digital download and streaming on January 8, 2021 through Big Noise.[10]

"Flames" was Mod Sun's fastest growing single on streaming platforms, garnering over 1 million plays on Spotify in its third day on the platform. The singer stated this was a highlight for his career and thanked Lavigne for believing in his work.[11] The song became a moderate hit on rock and alternative radio.

On April 16, 2021, an acoustic version of the song was released,[12] which had a music video released on April 23.[13]

Music video

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Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne confirmed that they were making a new music video for "Flames" through their social media posts and comments in response to fans. It was also confirmed through Instagram stories and comments that the video was shot on January 13, 2021.[14] On January 20 it was announced that the music video would be released on January 22, 2021.[15][16]

Critical reception

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"Flames" was met with generally positive reviews upon its release from music critics. Tamara Bay of Wall of Sound wrote that the song is "an emo pop jam which sees Avril and Mod Sun's vocals ebb and flow together like two peas in a pod".[1] Music Feeds' Laura English praised the song calling it "a catchy bop that mashes pop sensibilities with emo AF lyrics and vocals".[17] Writing for Stereo Board, Laura Johnson labeled the song "a pop-punk ballad that deals heavily in fire imagery and an earworm chorus". Rachel Dowd of Alternative Press praised the song by saying that it "opens up with Lavigne and a haunting piano before heavy rock guitars and percussion kick in along with Mod Sun's distinct vocals.[4] Idolator's Mike Wass called the song a "power-punk anthem, which contains massive pop hooks.[18] Entertainment Weekly placed the song on its "Friday Five" list which lists the five best songs released in that week according to its editors.[19]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Flames"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs)[20] 50
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[21] 40
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[22] 74
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[23] 21
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[24] 35

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Flames"
Region Date Formats Version Label Ref.
Various January 8, 2021 Original Big Noise [25]
April 16, 2021 Acoustic [12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bay, Tamara (January 8, 2021). "Avril Lavigne Returns with Mod Sun in New Song "Flames"". Wall of Sound. Retrieved January 8, 2021. The track is an emo pop jam which sees Avril and Mod Sun's vocals ebb and flow together like two peas in a pod
  2. ^ Johnson, Laura (January 8, 2021). "Mod Sun Drops New Single Flames Featuring Avril Lavigne". stereoboard. Retrieved January 8, 2021. Flames is a pop-punk ballad that deals heavily in fire imagery and an earworm chorus.
  3. ^ "internet killed the rockstar review". 14 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b Dowd, Rachel (January 8, 2021). "Hear Avril Lavigne's and Mod Sun's Powerful Punk Rock Anthem "Flames"". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 8, 2021. After weeks of teasing, Avril Lavigne and MOD SUN's powerful punk rock anthem "Flames" is finally here.
  5. ^ "Avril Lavigne is hard at work in the studio working on her next album". The List. December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Wass, Mike (December 12, 2020). "Avril Lavigne Is Working On New Music With MOD SUN". Idolator. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Carter, Emily (January 4, 2021). "Avril Lavigne announces new single following studio sessions with Machine Gun Kelly". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  8. ^ ""Flames" with @modsun featuring me January 8th pre save now 🔥🔥🔥🔥". Instagram. 1 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. ^ Wass, Mike (January 1, 2021). "Avril Lavigne & Mod Sun Team Up For "Flames"". Idolator. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Dowd, Rachel (January 4, 2021). "Avril Lavigne & Mod Sun Confirm New Collab "Flames"". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  11. ^ ""FLAMES" is officially the fastest growing song I've ever released....THANK YOU!". Twitter. 10 January 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  12. ^ a b ROGERS, JACK. "LISTEN: MOD SUN AND AVRIL LAVIGNE'S BEAUTIFUL STRIPPED-BACK VERSION OF 'FLAMES'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  13. ^ White, Logan (23 April 2021). "Mod Sun And Avril Lavigne Release Acoustic Video For "Flames"". Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Na na na .. 💙💚💕💛❤️💜🎶". Instagram. 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  15. ^ ""Flames"🔥 music video out Friday". Instagram. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  16. ^ """FLAMES" music video drops Friday.... Y'all ready for this? 🔥". Instagram. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  17. ^ English, Lauren (January 8, 2021). "Listen To Avril Lavigne's Collab With MOD SUN "Flames"". musicfeeds. Retrieved January 8, 2021. "Flames" is a catchy bop that mashes pop sensibilities with emo AF lyrics and vocals.
  18. ^ Wass, Mike (January 8, 2021). "MOD SUN & Avril Lavigne Link For Power Punk Anthem "Flames"". Idolator. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. ^ Jones, Marcus (January 8, 2021). "Friday Five: Duran Duran's Bowie tribute, Zayn's bedroom vibes, and more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  20. ^ "Mod Sun Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  23. ^ "Mod Sun Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  24. ^ "Mod Sun Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  25. ^ "Flames (feat. Avril Lavigne) - Single by Mod Sun". Apple Music. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.