When Avril Lavigne released album No. 2 in 2004, the spunky teen pop star announced to the world that she was growing up. Gone were the baggy pants and skater-chick image that first earned Lavigne the media-christened nickname of "the anti-Britney." * On that year's "Under My Skin," punky anthems like "Sk8er Boi" were replaced largely with grammatically correct, midtempo teen-angst rockers. The album was released a few months shy of Lavigne's 20th birthday, and the black and white, goth-like imagery made it dear that Lavigne was dealing with some intense, late-teen issues. * Today, Lavigne is done with all that. * On April 17, she will release her third album, "Best Damn Thing," on RCA, and the mood is decidedly lighter. Ask Lavigne about forthcoming single "Girlfriend," and Lavigne doesn't so much as answer as break into song. Simply mention the tune to Lavigne in an interview, and she perks up and starts singing the chorus, air punches and all. * Lavigne has never been nearly as animated as she is on "Best Damn Thing," at least from the six songs her management firm, Nettwerk, allowed press to hear. "Contagious" is her hardest-rocking song to date, and features Blink-182's Travis Barker on drums. Yet elsewhere, the album moves like an arena-rock party, with the title track and "I Can Do Better" built for fan sing-alongs, with the latter even sporting some dancey rhythms to go along with its pop-punk guitars.

"I was just so over writing such serious songs," Lavigne says. "Even though they really weren't that serious, I went through a little dark phase when I was 18 and wrote 'Under My Skin.' But I grew out of that. Lyrically, I didn't know where I was going to go on this record. I totally did not even think about it. I had no theme. I was thinking more about the music and the vibe."

The vibe of "Girlfriend" is pure high school pep rally, complete with shout-outs and hand claps. With its '60s girl group meets punk rock feel, the song, in fact, could be a cheerleading routine, were it not for Lavigne's penchant for swearing.

All signs point to Lavigne re-embracing a lighter, more colorful approach to her music and image for the release of "Best Damn Thing." Lavigne worked with a host of producers, including husband and Sum 41 leader Deryck Whibley, Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls) and previous collaborator Butch Walker. But the name that sticks out is Dr. Luke, who turned Kelly Clarkson into a Lavigne-inspired rocker with smash "Since U Been Gone," and is now working on the new Britney Spears.

Add in the fact that a heavy marketing component for "Best Damn Thing" is centered on a multiplatform, Japanese-style comic book/mobile initiative, and it's easy to get the impression that Lavigne is aiming to once again win over the youth market.

That may very well be the hope of her label. But if the 22-year-old sounds like a kid again...