Ava Valianti – “Clean My Room”
Sixteen-year-old indie pop artist Ava Valianti steps further into the spotlight with her eighth single, “Clean My Room”(out September 5, 2025), a raw and intimate portrait of adolescence at its most vulnerable. With confessional lyrics, soft but piercing vocals, and a carefully layered arrangement, the track captures the quiet unraveling that often hides behind closed doors. “Clean My Room” isn’t simply about tidying up — it’s about the emotional mess that lingers when you’re struggling to keep it together. It’s messy and emotional and honest, just like life feels sometimes.”
From its hushed verses to its swelling climax, the single feels like a diary entry set to music. The song reflects universal themes of self-doubt, isolation, and the fear of showing your true self, making it instantly relatable to anyone who has ever wrestled with the insecurity of growing up.
Musically, “Clean My Room” sits in that sweet spot where indie edge meets pop accessibility. The track begins with intimate, restrained vocals over sparse instrumentation, slowly building momentum until it blooms into a powerful, layered finale. The production highlights Ava’s ability to balance fragility with strength, a hallmark of her young career. Critics have already drawn comparisons to Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey for her moody honesty, while noting her melodic accessibility in the vein of Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter. What sets Ava apart, however, is the maturity and emotional weight she carries at just 16 — her songwriting feels lived-in, empathetic, and disarmingly honest.
Since her 2023 debut with bubble wrap, Ava Valianti has been steadily building momentum. Singles like Middle Ground, January, Laugh Track, Distant, and Buttercups have earned spins on more than 250 radio stations worldwide, while also bringing her two New England Music Award nominations and runner-up honors at the International Acoustic Music Awards.
Brian Dunne – Clams Casino
Brian Dunne’s fifth album, Clams Casino, is a bold and exhilarating step forward, balancing conviction with self-doubt in a way that makes it deeply relatable. The record wrestles with big questions — what do we really want, and do we deserve it? — all while wrapping these existential musings in exuberant, hook-filled pop-rock.
Best known as a member of the playful, folksy rock group Fantastic Cat, Dunne shines solo by channeling the spirit of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. His crystal-clear tenor and sharp songwriting bring energy to every track, making Clams Casino feel like a modern classic rock record. Compared to his 2023 release Loser on the Ropes, this album is more ambitious and consistently rewarding, with songs that sound urgent and alive, as if everything depends on them.
Tracks like “Rockland County” showcase Dunne’s witty edge, mixing humor and sincerity as he weighs suburban comforts against artistic authenticity. Meanwhile, “Some Room Left” nods to Joel’s “Summer, Highland Falls,” proving Dunne isn’t afraid to swim in the waters of legends — and succeed. Even when his lyrics brim with uncertainty (the closing “Living It Backwards” admits, “I’m still not sure what I’m after”), the music itself feels assured, with soaring guitars and tight sequencing that echo the golden age of rock.
Funny, heartfelt, and wise, Clams Casino captures the contradictions of modern life — yearning for more while questioning it all. It’s the kind of album that makes you root for its protagonist and hum along at the same time: a triumphant winner’s album for the self-proclaimed losers.
Anna Dahl – Little Bit Country EP
Anna Dahl’s journey to Little Bit Country spans decades of writing, performing, and navigating the crossroads between art and life. As a teenager from Black Earth, Wisconsin, she found herself in Los Angeles, recording with industry veterans and turning down a major label deal to pursue college. Later, while raising a family in Madison, she kept writing and performing independently. This latest chapter of her career began in Nashville’s famed Sound Emporium Studios, where her vocals were captured on the same microphone once used by legends like Johnny Cash and Kacey Musgraves.
“Stepping into that vocal booth and singing my lyrics into the same microphone that my musical heroes have time and time again was really powerful,” Anna recalls. That energy — rooted in history but fueled by her present — runs throughout the EP.
Working with producer Don Miggs and Nashville’s top session players, Dahl honed a sound that stands out in a crowded country-rock landscape. Miggs describes her strength as immediate and undeniable: “Here in Nashville you can go down any street and see a dozen pretty girls with amazing voices, singing good songs. Standing out in that crowd requires something different, and in Anna’s case it’s just immediately clear that she’s different.” The difference lies in Dahl’s ability to blend personal experience with anthemic choruses and a vibrant personality. Her songs radiate both fun and wisdom, speaking to listeners with honesty, empowerment, and charm.
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Top Shelf – Originally released as a single in June, “Top Shelf” is a playful yet empowering anthem about self-worth. It’s not about materialism but about values — reminding women not to settle for less than they deserve. With its sing-along chorus and sassy delivery, it’s a natural party favorite that also carries a strong message.
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Take Me to the Ritz – This track is a celebration of duality. Dahl paints a picture of a girl who can live it up in the dirt and chaos of the countryside but also embraces finer things like bubble baths and thread-count luxury. It’s a spirited rejection of stereotypes, giving permission to be multifaceted and free.
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C-O-W-B-O-Y – The EP’s focus track, “C-O-W-B-O-Y,” is a rollicking country-rock anthem that bursts with flirtation, independence, and fun. Its infectious energy is tailor-made for dance floors and festival stages. Dahl’s lyrics — “What a girl wants, is what a girl wants” — cut to the heart of modern female empowerment: she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, and she’s not here to meet your mama; she’s here to enjoy the night.
Here are some major upcoming concerts and tours from high-profile artists you might want to catch, whether locally or internationally:
Zara Larsson — Midnight Sun Tour (2025-2026)
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Zara Larsson is supporting her fifth studio album Midnight Sun, and is embarking on what will be her biggest headlining tour yet.
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The European leg kicks off October 28, 2025 in Munich, Germany, and will cover many major cities including Berlin, Paris, London (Wembley), Manchester, Amsterdam, and more, before moving into North America in early 2026.
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Opening acts include Omar Rudberg in Europe and Amelia Moore in the North American leg.
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