At just sixteen, Ava Valianti’s debut EP petunias feels like the kind of record that catches you off guard — tender, honest, and far more self-aware than her age might suggest. Across seven tracks, Ava threads together the tangled emotions of growing up, heartbreak, and hope with an intimacy that’s both raw and quietly radiant.
The opening piece, First Day of Spring, sets a nostalgic tone. It’s short, but the childhood audio tucked within gives it a home-movie warmth, the perfect doorway into what follows. Laugh Track picks up the pace — a shimmering indie-pop gem that masks loneliness behind a cheerful rhythm. Then comes Distant, beautifully restrained, like a late-night drive through the aftermath of something you can’t quite name. Buttercups carries a sweetness that feels fragile yet grounded, showing Ava’s knack for pairing poetic imagery with melodic ease. Clean My Room shifts the energy — a metaphor for emotional clutter, wrapped in bright, jangly guitars. It’s an anthem for anyone trying to put their world back in order.
The two new tracks push things even deeper. Hot Mess balances edge and humor, revealing a playful side that still carries emotional bite. And then Running on Empty — the centerpiece — lands softly but cuts deep. Written after long nights on the road, it captures that hollow space where love turns into memory. It’s the sound of exhaustion and acceptance wrapped in one. With petunias, Ava proves that small moments can hold big truths. Every song blooms differently, yet they all grow from the same soil — vulnerability, courage, and the quiet strength of noticing life as it happens.
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