Ava Valianti – The Conversation (2026)
When I was 16 (and that was a really long time ago), I remember my world revolved around schoolwork, an obsession with Leonardo DiCaprio, ballet, and the Backstreet Boys. The giggling, the crushes, the latest trends with chokers and mood rings – it was all there. Skip ahead 25 years or so, and 16-year-old Ava Valianti is beyond the shy smiles and celebrity crushes. This US-based singer-songwriter delves into the complex coming-of-age issues that are timeless yet clipped by the generational diversity of Gen Z. The latest addition to her discography is the single, ‘The Conversation’.
Following her well-received singles ‘Sophomore Slump’ and ‘Birthday Cake’, ‘The Conversation’ unpicks the intricacies of romantic relationships. Poignant and profound, listening to her lyrics is like reading a diary entry that should remain secret to its writer. Valianti explains:
“‘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. 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”
Retaining a 90s pop-rock flavour, ‘The Conversation’ is a twirling concoction of dynamic drums and soaring guitars; however, it is the fluttering of a saxophone that flecks the track with that little something-something. Sophisticated and mature in its production, with Valianto’s pure, clear vocals waltzing across the melody, ‘The Conversation’ is simultaneously defined and wistful. Capturing the tragedy of brutal honesty and the challenges of courage, ‘The Conversation’ is a song of resilience and strength bound by vulnerability. It’s safe to say that Ava Valianti is a shining voice in today’s sometimes saturated pop-rock/indie-pop music scene.
In addition to the single, Ava Valianti released an official lyric video for ‘The Conversation’. You can view the video below and/or on her YouTube channel.
Find out more about Ava Valianti on her official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
