It’s been almost four weeks since the incredible Ava Valianti released her Sophomore Slump EP, so naturally, we wanted to dig a bit deeper and spotlight her latest single, Great Pretender, which serves as the final track on the record.

Great Pretender opens with a shimmering and meditative energy, expanding into a luscious and immersive guitar soundscape as Ava sings, “Nervous glances, second chances, you never even knew I gave you, run your fingers through my hair and I pretend it’s what I’m into…”

Immediately we are enamoured by the raw vulnerability that transmutes. Great Pretender feels like an unreleased song from Lana Del Rey‘s iconic album, Norman F*cking Rockwell. The build is sublime and Ava’s emotional quotient is absolutely hypnotic.

We appreciate the tempo shift as the song evolves, and as for the message, Great Pretender is about being trapped in a relationship where we are pretending to be in love or okay, even as we recognize the relationship is failing.

It’s about how we hide our true feelings and go along with the intimacy that we don’t really want. It is an example of how we wrestle with the conflict between our own needs and our partner’s emotions. The repeated imagery of standing on the edge of a cliff suggests a gradual loss of trust, and the inevitable pain of being hurt.

As with a lot of Ava’s deeply personal cuts, there are moments of hope and salvation – as we know, she contains multitudes. Flowers can grow in prison walls indeed, and we accept that the love we once had was an illusion. The mutual realization makes the breakup feel tragic, inevitable and quietly heartbreaking. It’s perfect for a TV show like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and we could see Ava performing the song at The Bronze, or perhaps opening for Olivia Rodrigo or Lana Del Rey on tour.

Speaking on the release, Ava tells us, “Great Pretender is about staying in something longer than you should, and kind of knowing the whole time how it’s going to end, but not being ready to admit it yet. It’s that feeling of going through the motions, saying yes when you mean maybe, or pretending something feels right because you want it to. There’s a line in the song, “I pretend it’s what I’m into…”, and that’s really the core of it. It’s not even about lying to someone else as much as it is trying to convince yourself.”

She adds, “Sonically, it’s more stripped back than some of the other songs on the EP, but the electric guitar gives it this underlying tension that keeps building. It felt right for the last track because it’s not a big dramatic ending, it’s quieter, more like acceptance.”

We love the depth of Great Pretender, and have added the song to our playlists, whilst we continue to stream the entirety of Sophomore Slump, and anticipate a new era from the rising artist!

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By now you know that we are obsessed with Ava Valianti, and have been featuring the intricate unveiling of her new EP, Sophomore Slump, so when we saw that the full body of work had landed in full, we couldn’t wait to spotlight the single released alongside the record, poignantly titled – Heads on Fire.

Heads on Fire opens with a super intricate guitar soundscape, tapping into timeless notions that remind us of The Eagles. Ava shares philosophical, self-reflective prose with luscious harmonies as she sings, “I’m becoming a caricature of myself, of someone I never used to know, I’m the sum of all my parts, but what if nobody likes me whole…”

The production is magnificent, giving Lana Del Rey‘s Ultraviolence and Norman Fucking Rockwell era at moments, with dark-Americana twang and cinematic beauty. Heads on Fire is about feeling overwhelmed by one’s own mind and personality. Aligned with the wider theme of the EP, Ava feels like she is acting fake around other people, hiding real feelings behind a “mask”.

She worries that people only like her when she stays quiet, calm, and easy to handle. This is a zeitgeist commentary on feminism in itself. Inside, though, she feels loud, stressed, and emotionally crowded.

The chorus showcases notions of mental overload. The concept of the hook and title of the track and the words “brain’s on overload” really demonstrate anxiety, racing thoughts, and emotional pressure that never fully explodes but burns quietly.

Truly, the song is a masterpiece, and we could imagine this locking in a number of sync placements, especially an episode of Euphoria, 13 Reasons Why, or a TV show like the more psychedelic Nine Perfect Strangers – perhaps even a movie like Apex.

Speaking in detail on the release, Ava shares, “Heads on Fire is kind of what it feels like when your brain won’t slow down and everything starts stacking on top of itself. It’s that moment where you’re overthinking how you come across, how people see you, and wondering if you’re too much, or not enough, all at the same time.”

The rising superstar continues, “I wrote it from this place of feeling like I was becoming a version of myself that didn’t fully feel real, like a caricature. there’s this tension in the song between holding everything in and wanting to just let it all out. The chorus is really that feeling of overload, but also realizing you’re still here in it, like everything’s burning, but you’re not actually falling apart.”

Ava adds, “Sonically, it’s one of the biggest songs I’ve made. It’s louder, a little chaotic, and leans more into that indie pop-rock sound with a bit of a Western feel, which made it really fun to build. it feels like the moment on the EP where everything kind of peaks. It’s messy and a little unfiltered, but that’s the point.”

We are truly in awe, and have added Heads on Fire to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the entirety of Sophomore Slump all weekend!

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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!

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The consistency that Ava Valianti releases with should be studied by music industry professionals worldwide. Not only does she release high quality songs regularly, but they are all intentionally written, brilliantly produced, and brick-by-brick building her brand identity as an artist.

Today’s release is Birthday Cake. It opens with siren-like vocalizations, astral repeating notes and an immersive synthscape, expanding with a sublime guitar performance as Ava shares the vulnerable and situational lyrics, “Sitting in despair, wrapping paper everywhere, lying on the floor waiting for things to change, out of body, feeling strange, ringing in my head, all these sweat and tears I’ve bled, every year gets blown away with just one breath, and what have I got left?”

Before we literally start crying, let’s take a moment for her poetic prowess. Ava is an exceptionally gifted writer and this era certainly shows a more emotional side of her. Speaking on what inspired the release, the rising star confesses, “I love my birthday. I’m the person who makes a whole week out of it. But when I sat down to write this song, I thought – what if I hated my birthday?”

She continues, “Birthday Cake became this exaggerated, heightened version of that feeling. It’s about sitting in the aftermath of something – a relationship, a year, a version of yourself – and realizing you were so hopeful not that long ago.”

We love how philosophical she is. This song is hugely relatable to people everywhere. Society has taught us that ageing is a bad thing, when it is only natural. That said, Ava continues, “Even though the song sounds intense, it’s not really about hating your birthday. It’s about that specific kind of loneliness that sneaks up on you during milestones. When everyone’s gone and it’s quiet and you’re left with the ghost of what you thought your life would look like by now.”

Overall, Birthday Cake poignantly captures the feeling of realizing that what we invest energy in can mean far less than what we believed, leaving us alone to face the aftermath. It would be perfect for a movie like Eighth Grade, Lady Bird, and The Worst Person in the World to soundtrack moments of introspective reckoning with identity, time and unmet expectations.

We are enamoured by the high emotional quotient of the song, and Ava’s range is so enchanting. Her delicate vocals soar in minor keys that fans of Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey will really be able to connect with. It feels ethereal and orchestral at the same time.

As you can tell, we are in awe, and have added Birthday Cake to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ava Valianti’s incredible growing discography, including Sophomore Slump, and Deep Fuchsia.

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Ava Valianti is a rising star. There is no denying that she is one of the hardest working, most consistent artists in recent times. She has been delivering high quality art with depth, brilliant instrumentation and poetic prowess for the last few years, and with this tenacity, it is only a matter of time before she truly cracks the mainstream. She has star quality, raw authenticity and undeniable talent. We have had the privilege of featuring a slew of her releases, and when we heard that she was back with a single called Sophomore Slump, we were curious to say the least, and fully intrigued by the artwork which taps into a darker resonance, showing us that Ava can be a baddie too.

Sophomore Slump opens with a dimensional soundscape with textured drums and a timeless melody before Ava shares the vulnerable prose, “Been a pretty shitty summer day, started out with the play, tried out for the lead, basically got the goddamn tree…”

She continues, “It rained with sleet then crazy heat, docs took out my wisdom teeth, now my face and my heart feel swollen, but I feel broken open…”. There is no doubt that Sophomore Slump is about a young woman going through some hard times.

Immediately we can imagine it locking in a sync deal for a movie like People We Meet on Vacation or a scene in Euphoria on HBO which reflects the situational prose. Ava writes about how everything seems to go wrong at once. This is extremely relatable, laced with notions of disappointment and feeling overlooked.

Ava shares how it feels embarrassing to cry in front of someone she cares about. She taps into the sentiment of being overwhelmed, and references her situation as a “sophomore slump of epic proportions…”

She also describes herself as an opportunist, someone who wants to take every chance she can, but, she feels like the opportunities keep slipping away. Ava appears to focus so much on her own failures that she struggles to celebrate other people’s success. She even questions her identity as an artist. This feels really vulnerable and poignant, and again highly relatable. That said, there is hope as she repeats the mantra, “not all who wander are lost.” Even though she feels distorted and tired, she believes that wandering and uncertainty can still lead to meaning.

Ava confesses, “Sophomore Slump is about feeling stuck in that in-between space where you care way too much and still feel like you’re falling behind. It’s almost a way for me to admit that I don’t have everything figured out yet. It’s a song about caring too much, failing publicly, humiliating yourself, crying in front of people you wish you didn’t, and still having to laugh at yourself and move forward.”

As for the soundscape, it is extremely well produced as always – timeless in its essence, and palatable to a mainstream audience. We are also excited to learn that Ava will support the release with a run of upcoming live performances. She was also recently named a Top 3 Finalist for American Songwriter’s Road Ready Talent Contest and will be performing live at the finals in Nashville on March 31st at The Basement East!

We always love what Ava Valianti is creating, and look forward to her meteoric rise. We have added Sophomore Slump to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream her wider discography!

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Last year, we were intently following the rise of Ava Valianti, so when we found out that the star was back in 2026 with a brand new single titled, Deep Fuchsia, with a hazy, fuchsia-toned artwork, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in Ava’s universe once again.

Opening with an intricate and glistening guitar soundscape with textured drums and atmospheric vocals, Ava sings, “Deep fuchsia, untamed love, devotion and all that goes along with it…” with a more mature and brooding tone. Her timbre this time around reminds us of Garbage‘s Shirley Manson, No Doubt era, Gwen Stefani (especially the songs Underneath It All, and Simple Kind Of Life) and even Hole‘s Courtney Love.

The track is naturally cinematic, perfect for the new Cruel Intentions series or a TV show like Euphoria on HBO. In essence, the song is about intense, vivid love. The concept of “deep fuchsia” stands for passion and devotion. It is about a love that feels bold and unmistakable, whilst the ring and promises suggest notions of commitment and wanting to be remembered.

The song also captures the small and intimate moments, and shows how love is shown through tenderness and everyday romance. Ava’s layered vocals add dimensionality and colour to the composition. Within the prose, Ava shares how she needs reassurance, and how there is fear of being left behind. Even through knowing that love itself can be fragile, the desire remains deep, lingering and unforgettable.

It’s metaphorical and deep, and shows an evolution in Ava’s songwriting, which is welcome and a natural progression for the artist who is still technically in her teenage years. The ending with a slow motion breakdown is a really nice touch and leaves us yearning for more.

Ava describes philosophically confesses, “Deep Fuchsia is about falling intensely into a love that feels vivid, all-consuming, and impossible to ignore. It’s the feeling of wanting someone so deeply that every color, memory, and word is brighter because of them. Everything feels volatile and magical all at once, and the instability almost feels inviting. I wrote it from the space between devotion and doubt, where passion is thrilling but fragile, and you still choose to believe in it anyway.”

We have added Deep Fuchsia to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ava Valianti‘s exquisite discography, and await future releases from this exciting new chapter!

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Rising superstar Ava Valianti has been making massive waves with her artistry! We have been following her journey towards the mainstream, so naturally, we wanted to include her latest release, Hot Mess, in our coverage!

Hot Mess opens with a dimensional synthscape, almost cerebral, emotive and detailed with static, industrial textures. It expands with a fierce electric guitar, and the situational, observational lyrics, “She has her hair done in a bow, my makeup′s smudged from yesterday, she gets up early, puts down her phone, I’m logging hours like I′m getting paid…” We love the production, which taps into a bit of 80s nostalgia, which feels fresh for Ava!

Essentially, the song is about notions of self-awareness and contrast. Ava compares herself to someone who seems put together and perfect. It’s relatable, almost cinematic – like a scene from a Netflix coming-of-age film. Whilst that person appears disciplined and polished, Ava embraces her own chaos and imperfection. This empowerment energy is a common thread within her music. She notices the differences but doesn’t envy her muse, instead the observations invite her to accept her own messy nature.

It’s also about being stuck in a cycle. Ava acknowledges missing chances and feeling like she can’t get it all right. She admits that she doesn’t always put in effort, yet finds pride in her flaws. Stress and imperfection give her energy, and she frames this messiness as part of her identity. It’s an important message, at a time when we, as a collective, need it the most.

Overall, the song celebrates individuality and defiance. Ava shows us that she is confident in her choices, even if others might judge them. She enjoys attention whilst remaining true to herself. This “hot mess” persona becomes a statement where life is better when we embrace our chaos instead of pretending to be flawless! Genius.

Sixteen-year-old Ava Valianti has made a striking debut with her record petunias, which serves as a seven-track collection designed to capture the fragility, hope and defiance of youth. Since releasing her first single bubble wrap in 2023, Ava has manifested an international following, which has earned her over 250 radio spins nationwide, two New England Music Award nominations, and recognition from the International Acoustic Music Awards and Unsigned Music Awards.

Ava has shared stages with artists like Jessica Baio, Lucy Kaplansky, Andrew Duhon, and The Strumbellas, while also selling out her own headline shows and performing at festivals such as Prescott Park Arts Festival, River Ruckus, and the Topsfield Fair.

We continue to be in awe, and have added Hot Mess to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ava’s exquisite, growing discography, including the entirety of petunias!

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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!

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Ava Valianti is a rising force on the pop music radar. Her releases have been consistently brilliant, and she is up there with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo in terms of songwriting prowess – creating masterpieces that are intelligently constructed and relatable at the same time. Her soundscape is cohesive, and her authentic presence is undeniably unique.

Naturally, when we heard that Ava was back with Clean My Room, we were curious to see what metaphorical depth the emerging artist was manifesting this time. Enticing us with a dream-pop vibe, expanding with a glistening guitar soundscape with textured drums, Ava sings, “Went looking for something to buy to further my great plans, thought I got a great deal online, turns out it was just a scam…”

In essence, Clean My Room is about disappointment and self-reflection. It starts off with a tone of frustration and letdown. The camera that Ava buys, meant for connection, only ends up capturing her loneliness. This sentiment carries into the rest of the song.

It shifts to shine a light on Ava’s personal struggles. She describes isolation at school, brushing people off, and the feeling of being misunderstood. There’s guilt and self-blame at play, and shadow figures on the wall suggest battling inner darkness.

By the end, Clean My Room becomes about being overwhelmed by emotions in her room and in her head. She admits to spiralling, but there’s also a quiet strength in the finale – some catharsis. The self-realized song writing that Ava demonstrates is frankly quite brilliant.

The track is perfect for a TV show like Cruel Summer or Euphoria. According to Ava’s site, the track serves as “a vivid portrayal of the quiet unraveling that often hides behind a teenager’s bedroom door.”

We have added Clean My Room to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Ava Valianti, and anticipate future releases from the star!

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Our obsession with Ava Valianti seems to grow with every listen! We have featured a slew of her previous single, so when we heard that the talented star was back with Buttercups, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to hear the song in full and share our experience.

Establishing with a very brief “oh”, and an intricate acoustic guitar soundscape, Ava Valianti opens Buttercups with intricacy as she sings, “You smell like cinnamon, you turn on the kitchen light…”. The opus expands with metaphorical yet situational prose as Ava takes us on a personal journey with reference to lived reality.

There is a cinematic allure to the song, a poignant intimacy, a raw authenticity – something that transmutes through Ava’s wider discography. Fans of Lana Del Rey‘s Ocean Blvd era would be able to connect with this.

The build of the track with astral piano and textured drums really energizes the piece and allows Ava Valianti’s sublime vocal range to shine through. The is even a nostalgic edge to what manifests with Buttercups. It is truly poetry in sonic motion.

The tempo shift mid way through the track is a trip! We are thrust into a higher octane frequency as Ava showcases her alternative pop-rock sentiment and we find ourselves grooving with the visionary ingenue.

Buttercups switches up once again with a slower vibe to wrap up the track, with a cerebral Hammond organ and ethereal vocals from Ava as she sings the refrain, “Aren’t you my buttercup, my buttercup baby?”

The final note is cosmic and speaking on the release, Ava confesses, “Buttercups is a song that encapsulates the experience of love, loss, and searching for purpose. It’s a song that’s centered around memories that are hard to let go of – the cinnamon smell, the creaky doors, the buttercups – and how even when things are complicated, those memories remind me why I cared in the first place. This is one of my favourite songs I’ve ever created, I truly had so much fun making it, and I hope that comes across when you listen!”

Ava has already built an impressive live performance résumé. She has opened for pop artist Jessica Baio at Brighton Music Hall (Allston, MA) and shared the stage with folk legend Lucy Kaplansky at The Firehouse Center for the Arts (Newburyport, MA).

She is also set to open for Grammy-nominated Andrew Duhon at the Prescott Park Arts Festival (Portsmouth, NH) on August 21 and perform at the River Ruckus Festival presented by 92.5 The River (Haverhill, MA) on September 13! Ava has also performed at iconic venues like The Bitter End and The Delancey in New York City and sold out her headlining debut at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth, NH. A full list of upcoming shows is available on her website.

Naturally, we have added Buttercups to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Ava Valianti, and anticipate future releases from the rising star!

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