Ava Valianti Grasps Bittersweet Growth in Latest Single “Distant”

Just 15 years old from Massachusetts, Ava Valianti returns with “Distant,” a shimmering if charged single released May 23. Blessed with affecting lyricism and stripped melodic ferocity, Ava marries indie-pop sheen to coming-of-age self-examination in a fashion at once universal yet singularly personal.

“Distant” dives into the bittersweet melancholy of losing childhood friends. On a vibrant, summer-inflected beat, Ava raps melancholy verses that broadly brush a familiar picture of time passing and relationships evolving. It’s a masterwork in contradictory emotion — a painful yet enjoyable song. “It speaks of this quiet sorrow you feel when you lose someone without a fight,” Ava says. “Even though heavy lyrics, a happy, summer atmosphere from the fast pace makes the song smile through pain.”

Since breaking out in 2023 with “bubble wrap,” Ava quickly became one of indie pop’s latest sensations. With over 150 radio plays, two nominations at the New England Music Awards, and a second-place finish at the International Acoustic Music Awards, her rise has been far from inconspicuous. She’s toured with industry icons like Jessica Baio and Lucy Kaplansky, played at iconic rooms across Massachusetts and New York, and sold out her headlining show.

With her debut EP arriving this fall, “Distant” is a leap of epic proportions for Ava Valianti. It’s a listen essential for indie pop enthusiasts, song storytelling for singers, and for everyone who’s ever seen love slowly fade away.