Ava Rivello Showcases Her Ability To Give Pieces Of Herself In Her Music
Ava Rivello returns with a new single that really exemplifies how she puts pieces of herself into her music and does so in an unafraid manner, giving you lots of details and inner thoughts that express heavy emotion, and it's all right out there on the table for everyone.
This is exactly what I mean by unafraid. She puts her songs out there with no walls around them, which is really intense because songs like this one can be quite relatable to a lot of us, even if we don't know the exact situation that she went through.
"Closer To Dead" is definitely a song about struggle. It's about going through something that feels like it was traumatic for her and not being able to get back to the person that she was before that.
This is super personal, and again, she puts everything out there in such a front-facing kind of manner lyrically that there are no mistakes made here.
It's something that she's being vulnerable with, but it feels almost like it was probably cathartic for her to actually write.
She goes through this sort of dark area in her mind and sort of reaches back to the place that she was in at the time of writing the song, and yes, there are little hints of light at the end of the tunnel, but for the most part, this is a song about being hurt, confused, and even lost.
It certainly is quite a brave one, and I feel like it speaks volumes for Ava as a songwriter, simply because she's able to express so much in one song.
Her lyrics are descriptive and get very detailed, so you really get a grasp on the sort of emotional state that she was in, and that's what pulls you into the song.
It's that sort of brutal honesty that really wraps itself around you, and I feel like it's also what makes the song both impactful and powerful.
Songs like this one, to certain listeners, can make them feel like they're not alone in whatever they may be going through. I'm not sure if Ava set out for that purpose exactly; it seems like it was definitely for her, but I'm sure she's well aware that they can have an effect on listeners who go through darker times emotionally.
It's just a part of life. We all go through spurts and moments, segments and chapters of our lives that are much harder than others.
The song has some of her great staples, including the alternative rock backbone, coated in elements of pop, bringing out a little bit of color, but all in all, it's got the dark overtone while still remaining catchy, as Ava doesn't have a problem holding on to her pop sensibilities whatsoever.
The chorus is huge, and that's really when things tend to get big, with layers of guitars that give you that closed-fisted, harder-edged rock soundscape.
As the song plays out, it has that tendency to grow in terms of its intensity levels, and by the end, it's just sonically thriving, driving, heavy, and emotionally weighted as well.
By the end, it feels like she's really belting out, and it sounds like a cry out. Not a cry out for help necessarily, but more just a way to get it out of her system.
This is what I mean when I say that she's an artist who puts pieces of herself into her music. You can hear in the performance itself that she is letting those things out, and this is how she's able to breathe again.
It's almost like songs such as this one serve almost like therapy for her.
This is how it works. It's not just about writing a song to simply express yourself, but to get things out of your system so that you don't feel so weighed down by them. You have to get it out in the open so others can hear it and so you yourself can hear it out in the open as well.
This is why, or at least part of why, her music is so authentic a lot of the time.
This was definitely a song that dug a little deep, and it definitely hit a little hard as well. Her vocals are always really powerful, especially when it gets to those big climactic moments, and she really pours herself into tracks like this on record.
I mentioned that simply because you don't always get artists who are able to pour themselves out this way.
She pulls out such a massive performance on the recording that it's just impressive and has a particular way of staying with you.
I would definitely not miss this one for the world. This is a single that is, in my opinion, one of the best she's released thus far. I think this is a new level for her, and she's now walked through this evolutionary door to the rest of her music.
I'm very happy that she sticks with that rock backbone as well. She could have taken a song like this in any different direction. It starts off way calmer with acoustic guitars and could have panned out just like a soft ballad.
I don't think it would have had the same kind of intensity that it does the way that she did it here. The way that it explodes into that rock element really makes things not just edgy but undeniable. Once you get there, you can't turn away. She's got you in her headspace.
Anyway, definitely check this out, and while you do, dip into our latest interview with her, where we talk about the song and more.
Check all of this out right now, and don't forget where you heard it first.
Ava Rivello: An Interview on “Closer to Dead,” Fashion, and Finding Her Voice
You’ve carved out a distinct position between high-fashion modeling, digital content creation, and pop-rock music. How does your “fashion-first” approach connect with the visual identity of “Closer to Dead”?
I've always loved fashion and how much you can express through the way you dress or the look of a photoshoot. But I don't necessarily think of myself as fashion-first. Music and modeling are both things I love, and I think they naturally influence each other. With “Closer to Dead,” I wanted the visuals to feel darker and a little more edgy because that's how the song feels to me. I love the contrast of black and red, the moodiness of the cover, and how different it is from some of my other photos. It's fun being able to explore different sides of my style depending on the music.
What influenced and inspired “Closer to Dead” to happen?
It came from a really dark period in my life when I was struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. I felt disconnected from myself and almost like an outsider inside my own head. There was also this desperation to feel loved or heard, and sometimes just a desire to feel numb instead of feeling everything so intensely. I wrote the song from inside those feelings rather than looking back at them later and trying to explain them. That's why some of the lyrics are so direct. It wasn't written to make that period of my life sound dramatic; it was just honestly what was going through my head at the time. There's also a line that says, “Help me find a way to change,” which is really important to me. Even in all of that darkness, there was still a part of me that wanted help and wanted things to be different.
With almost 450K followers across social media and YouTube, you’ve cultivated an incredibly engaged fanbase. How do you balance curating a polished, editorial aesthetic with being raw and transparent about real-life struggles?
I think people sometimes assume that because someone's photos look a certain way, their life must look that way too. But a photoshoot is a creative project. It's not necessarily a reflection of everything happening in someone's life. I love getting dressed up, working with photographers, and experimenting with different looks, but I'm also just a normal 18-year-old figuring things out. I don't think I have to choose between enjoying fashion and being open about things that are difficult. They're just different parts of who I am.
The cover art for “Closer to Dead” has quite an edgy aesthetic. Were you very involved with that aspect of the release?
Yes! I love being involved in the creative side of my releases, especially the photos and overall look. For “Closer to Dead,” I wanted something that felt darker and more intense than my previous releases. The black and red colors, the styling, and the whole atmosphere were meant to reflect the emotion of the song. I think my experience with modeling has made me more aware of how much a photograph can communicate without needing a lot of explanation. I love being able to bring that into my music.
Social media is a huge part of being a successful artist these days. Do you ever turn to music creation as a way to escape that?
Definitely. Social media can be fun, but sometimes it feels like there's always something you should be posting or keeping up with. When I'm writing music, I'm not really thinking about any of that. I can sit with my guitar, work through an idea, and spend time doing something just because I enjoy it. I don't have to worry about whether it fits a trend or how many people are going to see it. It's nice having something creative that doesn't start with thinking about an algorithm.
You have upcoming tracks in the pipeline, a newly updated version of “No Good,” and a debut EP on the way. Do you have a release plan for them, and how will you incorporate the visual aspect with each?
After “Closer to Dead,” I'm planning to release an updated recording of “No Good,” which was actually my very first song back in 2023. We made a few small changes to the lyrics and background production, and I got to record it again with my voice now, which was really cool. Those songs, along with “(It Was) Never Love” and “Hold Me Til I Fall Asleep,” will be part of my first EP. I love that each song has its own personality, and I want the visuals to reflect that. I don't necessarily want every release to have the same look just because they're part of one project. I think it's more interesting when the photos, styling, and artwork reflect the individual songs.
I think fans connect with both your style and your music. What is one piece of advice you’d give to young creatives trying to stay authentic while building their own presence?
Don't be afraid to try different things before you figure out what feels right for you. I think there's a lot of pressure to have a specific aesthetic or know exactly who you are, especially on social media. I've changed my style, tried different types of music, and learned a lot just by experimenting. You don't have to have everything figured out right away. I definitely don't.
Is there anything you want to say to fans and listeners before we go?
Thank you to everyone who's been listening to my music and supporting what I'm doing. It's still kind of crazy to me that people I've never met are finding my songs and taking the time to listen. I'm really excited about everything I'm working on, especially finally getting my first EP out. I hope people keep following along because I have so much more music I want to make. One bad moment or even a really bad period of your life doesn't have to become the rest of your story.
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