Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Ava Valianti – Hot Mess (2025)

Profound, poignant and sometimes a little unnerving in her delicate unpicking of human emotion, singer-songwriter Ava Valianti is an old soul in a 16-year-old’s being. Touching on timeless, universal themes, the US-based musician tracks issues of isolation, inner turmoil, and conflict, as well as empowerment and hope, reaching audiences of all ages. Let’s take a look at another of her intriguing melodies, ‘Hot Mess’.

Following her well-received single ‘Clean My Room’, ‘Hot Mess’ is one of the tracks off Valianti’s EP, petunias. Named after the flower, this EP reflects the belief that ordinary things and moments can be extraordinary if you look closer; ‘Hot Mess’ stares at the portrait of growing up, which might seem simple, but is truthfully a little more complicated and outstanding. Valianti explains:

“’Hot Mess’ is me embracing all the parts of myself that aren’t polished or perfect. I wrote it for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re too much and not enough at the same time. It’s punchy, a little chaotic, and definitely tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also honest. Life gets messy, emotions get loud, and sometimes you just have to laugh at the disaster and keep going. This song is my reminder that you don’t have to have everything together to take up space or own your moment…”

While Valianti saunters across the realms of indie and pop in her music, ‘Hot Mess’ offers a heavier rock tinge as compared to the other tunes on petunias. A soaring guitar weaves across the melody, while a steady bass stomps beneath and the crashing drums act simultaneously as an anchor and a brash pulse. In one way, the song has a foot-stomping, fist-pumping attitude; then again, it is a smooth song you hum along to on a daily commute. Valianti’s dreamy vocals take on a heavier edge, showcasing her airy and wistful side, as well as a bold rocker.



In addition to the single, Ava Valianti released an official lyric video for ‘Hot Mess’, BUT she also has a live video on her YouTube channel. Performing at the River Ruckus Festival, you can view the performance below and/or on Valianti’s YouTube.



Find out more about Ava Valianti on her official websiteFacebookXInstagramTikTokYouTubeBandcamp and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator


Listen to more pop-rock music on The Other Side Reviews Pop Rock playlist: