Ava Valianti is at just 15 years old and her song writing maturity doesn’t show her age, with latest single Distant being a stunning testament to this. After a string of great releases, Valianti’s place as one of indie pop’s most promising new voices is cemented on a song that strikes the perfect balance of raw, emotional depth and vibrant, infectious production.
“Distant” captures the universal, achingly personal feeling of lost childhood friendships, not by conflict, but by the gentle drift of time and changing that happens to all. Specifically this melancholy is captured by Valianti with striking honesty, painting vivid scenes of nostalgia and the poignant realization that some bonds fade. I think the strength of the song lies in how it manages to be both wistful, reflective and broken hearted lyrically and yet utterly bright, bustling indie pop in the music.
The song’s undeniable heart is Valianti’s vocal performance. Her achingly honest lyrics are delivered with a clarity and emotional intelligence that feels more than a few years ahead of her time. With remarkable nuance, she navigates the complex feelings (sadness, acceptance, a wisp of a smile in remembrance) and thus pulls the listener directly into the narrative. Her vocals are sweeping easily over the soundscapes that are themselves the result of much precision.
The production is impressive too. It’s far from sombre though and a vibrant, layered affair, with mellifluous, mellow tunes which build into a true glorious sonic experience. Look for sparkling melodic lines, interesting rhythm shapes and a warmth as a whole that is a perfect foil to the lyrical theme. The background sound is both instantly accessible and richly rewarding, Valianti describes it as the effect of being “smiling through the sadness,” and this is accomplished flawlessly.
The collection then ‘Distant’ is a display of Valianti’s incredible ability to turn complex coming of age experiences into sleek pop music. A cathartic listen, it does what good music does best — give you solace in shared experience and show you the songwriter and vocalist still capable. The polished yet emotionally resonant sound of ‘Distant’ makes for more than just a single piece; it is a powerful statement from an artist that is fast to deliver on her immense promise and seem to impressively build palpable anticipation for her debut EP. This is real indie-pop with real soul and it’s real brilliant.
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