People come and go. In “Distant,” Ava Valianti dives into the unique heartbreak of fading away from a friend. The 15-year-old singer-songwriter is growing up and coming to terms with the fact that childhood friends might not last forever. This coming-of-age track evokes a bittersweet nostalgia like no other.
Distant is about the silent sadness that comes with losing someone without a fight—just life pulling you apart. I wrote it when I realized that sometimes, no matter how much you care, people drift away. It’s one of the hardest parts of growing up, but also one of the most real. Even though the lyrics are heavy, the upbeat tempo gives the song this fun, summer energy—like you’re smiling through the sadness.
~ Ava Valianti
Bright, upbeat instrumentals provide the perfect backdrop for an intimate look into all things vulnerable. Listening to “Distant” feels like heartfelt conversations with loved ones, opening up to get everything off your chest.
Valianti recalls near-daily sleepovers and the deep familiarity that comes from a whole childhood spent together. Now, she feels like a stranger: “Do your parents still fight every weekend?” she asks. The memories remain, even if a shared future might not exist.
And it feels distant
Oh, you feel distant
I’m bearing witness
To the sickness
~ “Distant”
“Distant” is Valianti’s sixth single, following the success of heartfelt releases like “Wishing Well” and “Laugh Track.”
Want more like this? Ava Valianti’s debut EP is coming this fall. Don’t miss what’s next from this rising star by checking out her website, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Stream “Distant” on Spotify here.