“Move On” by Ava August is a beautiful, passionate depiction of heartbreak. Not only is the writing and arrangement overwhelmingly effective but her performance just sells it. The warm, raspiness of Ava August’s timbre infuses her words with personality, pain, and intimacy. If you’re not overcome with catharsis by the end of this song, you’re doing it wrong. “Move On” is one of the most brilliant displays of musicality you’ll ever hear.
“I thought that we were more than friends / I thought that you felt it too,” Ava sings, forgoing the intro and plunging straight into the verse. When the first thing you hear is a lyric, that lyric takes on an immense amount of attention and importance. Here, the simplicity of the feelings she expresses does not detract from their effect. So many of us have been in that (at best) uncomfortable and (at worst) heartbreaking situation in which your feelings aren’t reciprocated. Her literal wording so effortlessly communicates that suffering.
Several musical aspects of the song heighten the melancholy as well. The choice to use the piano as the main accompaniment is a rather intimate one–implying that the message doesn’t need a lot of frills to be salient. Ava’s vocal performance also imbues the whole song with authenticity. The power and idiosyncratic nature of her delivery ramp up the tension and ultimately the soul. You’ll undoubtedly fall in love with Ava August as this track concludes. So, be sure to give her a follow, like, and download on your choice of social media platform or streaming service.
Written by Alyce Lindberg
