Pop/Review Ava Valianti - Hot Mess
Ava Valianti is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Newbury, Massachusetts, blending pop and indie influences into music that's raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable. With spins on more than 300+ radio stations, multiple award nominations, and singles like Middle Ground, January, Buttercups, and Clean My Room, Ava has already made her mark. Her debut EP, petunias, is a striking coming-of-age collection that transforms vulnerability and resilience into indie pop anthems, positioning her as one of the most compelling young voices in music today.
With “Hot Mess,” Ava Valianti delivers a bold, tongue-in-cheek anthem that embraces imperfection with irresistible charm. Pulled from her debut EP “petunias,” the track pulses with punchy production, sharp lyricism, and a self-aware sense of humor that makes it instantly relatable. Rather than shy away from emotional chaos, Valianti leans into it — turning vulnerability into power and messiness into a magnetic, celebratory force.
The song’s energy mirrors the contradictions it explores: it’s upbeat yet introspective, polished yet proudly disordered. Valianti’s vocals glide between sass and sincerity, capturing the push-pull of feeling like you’re “too much and not enough” all at once. Her delivery radiates a kind of confident chaos, the sound of someone learning to own every jagged edge rather than trying to sand them down. Driving percussion, infectious hooks, and a playful melodic bite keep the song buoyant even as the lyrics get candid.
What makes “Hot Mess” truly shine is its emotional honesty. It’s a track about laughing through the breakdown, dancing through the doubt, and taking up space even when you feel like you shouldn’t. Valianti sings with a refreshing clarity: life doesn’t have to be tidy to be meaningful, and you don’t need to have it all figured out to claim your moment.
In a world obsessed with curated perfection, “Hot Mess” stands out as a vibrant, empowering reminder that authenticity — even the chaotic kind — is worth celebrating. Ava Valianti’s era is off to an electric, unapologetically real start.