Newbury, Massachusetts’ own Ava Valianti drops her brand new EP ‘Petunias’. A collection of cinematic indie pop songs wrapped in heartfelt storytelling, and raw emotion. It’s intimate, there’s something genuinely charming about how Ava balances sweetness with confidence. Every track feels like a little piece of her world but also yours. It’s a small town journey we’ve all been on before.
Kicking things off is ‘First Day of Spring’, an instrumental opener that feels straight out of a movie. It’s like you’re drifting into a dream. The strings whisk you away and leave you full of anticipation. There’s an old-fashioned warmth to it that’s intriguing. The little vocal snippet is really nice and sets up the EP perfectly and artistically.
Drifting nicely into the first full track on the EP, Buttercups comes in almost timid, the notes of Dolly Parton and Eva Cassidy are there from the get go. It’s a wonderful display of Ava’s ability to showcase her vulnerability in her voice.
Just when you think you know where it’s going, the song flips the switch. Suddenly you’re lifted by bright pop-rock. It’s big but not too big. There is more than enough punch to make you feel it and the arrangement and instrumentation is really cool throughout the entire song. The guitars and vocals bounce off each other in a way that feels raw but polished. I’ve actually heard this one before, and it somehow gets better every time. Buttercups is an intimate acoustic track that blossoms into something much bigger.
As we reach half way, the sentiment only gets stronger. Laugh Track might be the most personable track on here. It’s like Ava’s singing directly to you. The vocal melody hooks you in instantly, and everything from percussion to production, fits together effortlessly like it was always meant to.
Laugh Track puts her country girl roots on display, but there’s a modern indie pop polish to it. The guitar shines when needed, poetic and understated, giving the vocals plenty of space to breathe. It’s one of those songs that could soundtrack your morning coffee. Simple and catchy.
It’s around the time you get to Distant, that the EP starts to shift in a slightly new direction. The hope although it’s never gone, it takes a step back and you feel the moody side of Ava take centre stage. There’s a pop edge here that makes it stand out. The vocals have attitude but stay vulnerable, and that’s the magic. It’s emotional without being too much.
The drums glide you along almost undetected, like a heartbeat under the melody, while the guitars and vocals collide to create this dreamy, cinematic quality that’s become a real feature in Ava’s music. You can imagine this one live, full of movement and connecting with every person individually. This track has all the makings of a breakout moment for Ava, it’s like a blueprint to her sound.
Clean My Room is next up and this one feels like all the best parts of early Taylor Swift. There’s a soothing hum in the distance that makes the whole thing feel nostalgic, almost like remembering your childhood home. It captures growing up perfectly, that strange mix of innocence and confusion, while still holding onto a sense of hope.
The songwriting is spot-on here. From the title to the chorus, it makes the smallest things feel important. It’s a coming of age soundtrack that makes imperfection feel like a thing of beauty. Not to mention Ava’s voice that carries all of that emotion completely effortlessly. It’s tender and infectious, the sort of song you listen to again and again.
Last in line but commanding full attention, Hot Mess closes the show and it’s like the switch has fully flipped. Ava’s bad girl moment is there for all to see.
The distant vocals and harmonies work with punchy drums to create a dark energy that you just know isn’t here to play. Arguably the biggest radio banger of the lot, Hot Mess is Ava’s way of showing the middle finger to all of the problems with growing up. From angsty guitars to gritty lead vocals, the contrast is shocking, but in all the right ways. Somehow even after poetic melodies and sweet instrumentals littered throughout the EP, Hot Mess still feels completely like Ava. A must listen for sure!
Overall, the whole EP is a real display of Ava’s talents. Petunias invites you in, makes you reminisce, and leaves you lost in your own stories. Each track offers something different, from cinematic daydreams to raw confessions, Pentuinas captures each layer of growing up. Ava Valianti is showcasing that she’s not just another name in the indie pop crowd. She’s carving out her own space with every song. Stream Petunias now on all platforms you’ll be sorry if you don’t!
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