Our obsession with Ava Valianti grows with every listen, so naturally, we couldn’t wait to feature her latest release, Running on Empty. Let’s get into it! The track opens with a sublime acoustic guitar and mandolin intertwined to create an intricate and almost peaceful soundscape.
Ava sings, “I once knew a girl, her name′s Mariama, we’d have sleepovers in purple pajamas, we′d camp out in a tent in her backyard, tell each other our secrets under the cover of stars…” showcasing her incredible narrative-driven songwriting.
It really reminds us of Lana Del Rey and Olivia Rodrigo in a lot of ways, particularly with reference to the detail of the songwriting, and the presence of cinematic strings. In essence, Running on Empty is a song about missing people from the past.
Ava remembers her childhood friends Mariama and Jonny. She thinks back to the happy times they shared, although those memories feel distant now. It feels perfect for a coming-of-age movie. We could imagine this being featured in the sequel of Purple Hearts. The high emotional quotient is transcendental and almost has us in tears. This has to be one of the most emotive songs that Ava has released.
As the song continues, Ava reflects on those who were once close can slowly fade away. Friends we loved simply become people we used to know. This change feels sad and confusing, but highly relatable – particularly in this day and age and for anyone who lives in a major city or moves around a lot.
We appreciate how Ava questions why this has to happen. By the end of the track, the star confesses that she feels tired and empty, ergo “running on empty,” and how she is trying to move forwards, but is still haunted by the past.
As always, the production is incredible, and Ava’s voice is angelic and authentic in its delicate energy. We have added Running on Empty to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ava Valianti‘s exquisite growing discography!