Our favourite rising pop star is back with a new, thought-provoking single titled, The Conversation, so needless to say, we had to listen immediately and share our experience. Ava Valianti is a dedicated, visionary and poetic artist who is fast becoming the one-to-watch in the music industry.
The Conversation opens with a sublime, glistening guitar soundscape that reminds us of the iconic hit, Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer. Ava’s delicate vocals share the opening, conceptual prose, “Piggy back over poison ivy, you get brushed a thousand times, but I’m above you, flying…”
The song feels like it’s about a relationship that keeps looping. It doesn’t seem to settle into something honest or stable. She sings about the push and pull sentiment between closeness and distance.
It feels like hovering above a situation emotionally, whilst still being affected by it. The idea of poison ivy, reruns and storms suggests toxicity and repeated patterns. Ava’s delivery really brings this to life emotionally.
The questions in the chorus manifest as doubt and avoidance. All of this said, Ava knows her worth, and that self-realized nature comes to life too, although motifs regarding self-sabotage are clear and show her vulnerability too. The saxophone solo is a great touch and something fresh for the artist, inviting introspection and showing what a live show could really look like!
Ava admits to twisting words, holding back truth and staying out of reach mentally. By the end, the tone turns heavier, almost resigned, and resolved as she sets her boundaries. There is no doubt that the track would be perfect for a sync placement in a reality show that reflects the language and story of the track – perhaps an emotional moment in Temptation Island, or a movie like Good Grief or The Life List.
Ava confesses, “The Conversation is about caring deeply for someone but knowing, deep down, that you can’t meet them where they are. It’s that feeling of putting off the truth because you don’t want to hurt them, even though avoiding reality ends up hurting both of you more. I wrote it from the perspective of someone who wishes they could feel differently about the relationship they’re in.”
The wise artist continues, “They almost try to convince themselves that they can fix what’s broken, but know they can’t soften the edges. It’s about the things you don’t say, the conversations you rehearse in your head, and the quiet guilt of being the one who has to walk away. This song is about the realization that sometimes caring for someone isn’t enough.”
Of course, we love what Ava Valianti has created here, and this fits perfectly into her cohesive sonic universe of this new era. We have added The Conversation to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ava’s immaculate, growing discography and supporting her from this side of the Atlantic!