Pop-punk rocker Avril Lavigne has stepped away from music for the past couple years as she shifted attention towards her health. The singer, who has been battling Lyme Disease, wrote in a recent Instagram post: "It hasn't just been a hard battle but it's also been enlightening and will reflect in my new music, artistry, life, and personally."

After addressing her health-focused break from music, Lavigne revealed in her post that new music is finally on its way. The Canadian singer announced that she will release a new album come 2017, her first since 2013's self-titled work. "I can't wait to open up and share my heart with you! I'm excited for you guys to hear the new songs," she wrote.

 

Hi Everyone!! I wanted to first thank my fans for your patience & support during my time away throughout my battle with Lyme Disease over the past 2 years. It hasn't just been a hard battle but it's also been enlightening and will reflect in my new music, artistry, life, and personally. I will always continue to make it a priority to fight and raise awareness about Lyme Disease with the Avril Lavigne foundation. I'm really happy to announce that I am now working on new music and I will be releasing a new album in 2017. I can't wait to open up and share my heart with you! I'm excited for you guys to hear the new songs. It's going to be an amazing 2017!

A photo posted by Avril Lavigne (@avrillavigne) on Dec 25, 2016 at 9:20am PST

Lavigne recently made headlines for defending her ex, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, against the bullying of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who poked fun at the band in a promotional video for his "smart home" Jarvis.