Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy’s album “Dream Your Life Away” is like a “Riptide” in that it’s all over the place.

The album, which was released Tuesday, was anticipated by those who fell in love with Joy’s single, “Riptide,” but the track’s strongest and weakest parts are its lyrics.

“Winds of Change” was not a strong album opener. The track, although meaningful in the sense its message is about adjusting from what you once knew, has a disappointing ending. The song dragged on and I found myself waiting for something more, which never came.

Similar to his prior work, Joy’s “We All Die Trying to Get it Right” is a relaxing, easygoing listen. It gives the reader almost a tranquil feeling that makes the song easy to take in at any time of the day. The lyrics aren’t especially complex, but they hold a special meaning. This song adds balance to the singer’s simplicity.

Although the album has its perks with creative melodies, it takes an unexpected turn in “First Time.” The track is the most upbeat song on the album; however, the tune leads to disappointment with annoying, repetitive lyrics. The song reminds me of Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut is the Deepest” when Stevens sings, “The first cut is the deepest, baby I know … the first cut is the deepest.” Joy seems influenced by Stevens, but that’s a trait you don’t want.

“Georgia” is similar to Joy’s other upbeat melodies and lyrics. Like “We All Die Trying to Get it Right,” “Georgia” provides a calm, soothing sound that is fairly similar to that of Joy’s previous EP. What separates “Georgia” from the rest of the album is its combination of upbeat lyrics and its slow, mellow melody.

Despite “First Time,” Joy manages to hold true with meaningful lyrics and a lovely melody in “My Kind of Man.” The album improves near the end with this heartwarming track.

Although the album occasionally has overly simple and redundant verses, some of the lyrics really stand out. One of my favorite verses is, “I need to straighten on my mind. And I’m gonna break on, break on through. And close my eyes and think of you” in “My Kind of Man.” With a heavy message like this, Joy gives “Dream Your Life Away” meaning with its touching closer.