Dear listeners and readers of Soundville, can one EP contain everything a teenager keeps silent about? And rise to stardom without excessive shock value, rhinestones and provocations? Yes, if we’re talking about Ava Valianti and her EP ‘petunias’. Ava Valianti, 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Newbury, proved back in 2023 that youth can be stellar in itself, exploding the charts with the track “bubble wrap”, and that was only the beginning. The song resonated so much with teenagers that the hit appeared on 300 radio stations at once, and the girl received several music awards immediately, but that’s not the point. Her light, mesmerizing voice, watercolor manner melted the hearts of even the toughest critics, who marked the young talent with generous awards. Just consider second place at International Acoustic Music Awards and the title of finalist at Unsigned Music Awards, plus three nominations at New England Music Awards, and Ava isn’t planning to stop!
Now Ava Valianti has taken a bold step, releasing the EP ‘petunias’. I like that ‘petunias’ is a vivid story about youth and problems familiar to everyone, yet through the prism of experience. There is no heartbreaking drama here, no aggressive guitar screech and rock music drive. Believe me, when you listen to ‘petunias’, you will feel the music enveloping you like a milkshake amid the shine of teenage life and a cozy blanket in your favorite room. Yes, very ambivalent. But that’s the charm and power of the singer’s music. Let’s not delay the moment any longer, and let’s enjoy Ava Valianti’s stunning music together!
I recommend listening to the EP with the intro ‘First Day of Spring’. It reveals the most beautiful instrumental music, activating dreams and hopes. It sets the mood for the entire EP, returning to childhood and reminding of spring. Ava talks about flowers, but this single is about more. Against the backdrop of a dreamy melody unfolds the first picture of the narrative from which the entire EP is woven. The beginning with a tender retro melody, warm rustling of the record and the childlike voice of the singer herself, creates for me an atmosphere in which several times merge into one whole. And also the questions that the singer raises in her EP are eternal. This is the most relaxing track on the EP, awakening my most forgotten and tender associations.
Next ‘buttercups’ is really captivated me. first thought that this was a lyrical ballad from the first to the last note, but not so. In ‘buttercups’ many musical surprises awaited me, from tenderness to strength. Here I found many unexpected turns for a ballad, which showed both the voice and character of Ava Valianti from an unexpected side. I felt how she can be both soft and quite strong, showing character. However, probably behind the mask of every tender girl can hide serious strength, determination and the ability to resist any pressure or circumstances.
And here ‘laugh track’ track – this is an elegant song revealing the voice of Ava Valianti from an unexpected side. In her performance the lyrics can be ironic, playful, but girlishly charming. Ava like a kitten with a ball plays with her voice, penetrating straight into the soul and surprising with unexpected turns, adding liveliness to the song. Here I especially felt her singing technique, the ability to play, captivate and be different. I think that not every professional singer will handle such passages, and even more so one as young as Ava. Listening to this track, I caught its lively and stunningly tender character.
Then in ‘distant’ it reveals another feeling familiar to teenagers, when there is no one to tell about what is in the heart and one has to hide loneliness behind a mask of fun and joy. Probably, this very distance is the line beyond which childhood ends, revealing the road to quite adult reflections. However, I like the healthy closedness, so natural for those who have encountered new feelings. However, listening closely one can notice that ‘Distant’ is a call to action! It is with it that for most teenagers “their own” life begins. Ava Valianti begins it not with reflections, but with mounting tension. The dynamics build up, the heart overflows, and feelings and actions are ready to break out. And it also makes clear – “even if you withdraw into yourself, don’t sit, but act”. Only this way can one touch a dream or catch a star from the sky. Well, it invigorates and motivates. Stunning!
‘clean my room’ hides behind an interesting title and references to cleaning the room, strength and confidence in oneself. Towards dreams and accomplishments, revealing one’s potential, beauty of the soul and the world. An incredibly rocking track that will definitely appeal to many! You know, when I listened to ‘clean my room’ I discovered that the song is very multifaceted! During listening one can both have fun, be sad, well, even do light cleaning! or one can simply break out of the house towards new accomplishments.
The track ‘hot mess’ track hooked me the most. A bit gloomy, but stunningly dynamic track hot mess sounds incredibly powerful, setting the mood for dance. Here the dotted rhythm contrasts with the tender voice of Ava Valianti, revealing in her tenderness and strength. Here dance is felt more vividly than in other tracks, and the play on contrasts of dance and smooth lush vocals penetrates the very heart. This is a torn pulse, brilliantly emphasizing the vocals, like velvet rhinestones. One wants both to dance and dream simultaneously, especially when raindrops sparkle in the light of a street lamp. In this light light disorder of the track lies the charm of youth, with its light imperfections and closed eyes to things important to many adults. And indeed, perhaps to always remain a bit teenagers and life will be simpler, don’t you find?
The EP concludes with ‘running on empty’. This is the focus track and emotional center of the entire EP ‘petunias’. It conveys what is familiar to every teenager who tries, does, dreams, and in the end, remains where they were. This is a lyrical reflection on how imperceptibly people disappear from life, and then, before you know it – there is no one around. Ava Valianti comprehends the emptiness in the heart and life that remains when no one is left around. Only one’s own thoughts, voice and guitar in an empty room. Flawless!
The EP ‘petunias’ by Ava Valianti is an emotional confession to the world about one’s roughness and pains. Ava Valianti speaks in ‘petunias’ on themes that are familiar to everyone, and it doesn’t matter whether you are a teenager or have already crossed your stage of growing up and becoming in life. I like that Ava speaks about things that bring closer to her music. She is not afraid to seem misunderstood, but simply sings about what is in her heart and this makes her music so intimate, strong and understandable. Wow, this was flawless! Definitely follow Ava Valianti so as not to miss even more of such wonderful music.
Hey Ava Valianti! Thank you for releasing such light music and stunning sound. You know, when I listened to your EP I cannot stop thinking about how beautiful this is. Every detail is perfectly measured, thought out and together they form a story. This story like a mirror in many ways reflected some of my feelings and thoughts, therefore made your EP so personal for me too! I think that in this is the great achievement of music, because it is precisely then that one wants to return to favorite songs. I will definitely show your release to everyone, let them also listen to such wonderful music. I love it, I am your fan!
With much love,
Soundville
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