Avril Lavigne blames label for album delay

Avril Lavigne has criticised her record label for stalling the release of her fourth album. In a post on her official blog, the popstar announced that the as-yet untitled LP is finished and ready to be released after ongoing problems with record executives at RCA.

Lavigne wrote: “I’m done with my 4th record!!! Well, actually I have been done for a year… and now my record company have finally decided to release it. OMG. How nice! Thanks guys. (sic)”

The 26-year-old went on to say that despite “bureaucratic” difficulties, the upcoming record – her first since 2007’s The Best Damn Thing – is her “most meaningful and special” body of work yet.

“This has been a really difficult record for me to create and to release,” she explained. “Not only is this the most meaningful and special record I have written, it is sincere, honest and close to my heart.

“But for the first time I experienced a bunch of bureaucratic BS. People do their best work when they are doing what they want, love and is natural for them, not when you are forcing them to be something that they are not.”

She added: “I have been dying to get back out on the road and do what I love the most… PLAY MUSIC. I know you guys have been waiting for a long time… and so have I, but not by choice. I have been sitting with this record for a year now.”