Ava Max, born Amanda Koci, thrives in extremes. Even her stage name plays with our perception of what’s masculine and feminine. The dance-pop provocateur's most potent hits dig even deeper into dualism, starting with her 2018 breakout single, “Sweet but Psycho,” an unapologetic feminist anthem disguised as a saucy club banger. Her conceptual 2020 debut album, Heaven & Hell, follows suit. The first half is jam-packed with light, bright disco grooves such as “Kings & Queens” and Eurodance ode “My Head & My Heart,” while the second half teems with darker, slinkier, but still fully empowered pop candy like “Who’s Laughing Now.”