The Voice Behind Pop’s Most Honest Emotions
At a time when authenticity is becoming one of the most valuable qualities in modern pop music, Olivia Penalva continues to distinguish herself through honest storytelling, emotional depth, and a voice that resonates far beyond the charts. The Billboard-charting Canadian singer-songwriter has built an impressive career that includes more than 620 million global streams, multiple Top 20 radio hits, over 17 million YouTube views, and the rare distinction of being named an iHeartRadio Future Star twice.
Now, Olivia returns with her powerful new single, Code Blue, a deeply personal exploration of identity, healing, and self-discovery in the aftermath of heartbreak. Cinematic in sound and strikingly vulnerable in its message, the song continues the emotional journey she began with Distance Makes A Love Story, offering listeners an honest reflection on what happens after love leaves its mark.
In this exclusive conversation with TorontoPages, Olivia opens up about the inspiration behind Code Blue, her creative evolution, the lessons she’s learned throughout her career, and why staying true to herself remains at the heart of everything she creates.
Your new single “Code Blue” arrives on May 1. What was the first emotional spark or real-life moment that inspired the song?
I’m really excited for this song to come out. It feels like a continuation of my last album, Spiderwebs, but more focused on the aftermath of what a toxic relationship can do to you. For me, the first spark was realizing that even though the relationship was over, it was still taking a lot out of me emotionally. There wasn’t a big dramatic moment; it was more that quiet realization of, “Oh… I’m still not okay.” And that’s where the title came from. It felt like an internal emergency that no one could really see.
“Code Blue” explores identity loss after heartbreak. Why was it important for you to tell that side of the story rather than just the breakup itself?
I think it’s because the identity loss was actually harder to deal with than the breakup. The relationship was toxic and controlling, and getting away almost felt like the easy part compared to what came after. I didn’t realize that being in an environment like that for so long meant that when I finally stepped out of it, I wouldn’t really know who I was anymore. It’s not that “I’m lost because I miss you”; it’s more, “I’m lost because I don’t recognize myself anymore.” I felt that was an important story to tell because I know so many other people have gone through that too. Breakup songs can be fun, but this felt more honest to my experience.
The title “Code Blue” is powerful and urgent. What does it symbolize for you emotionally and creatively?
The title “Code Blue” symbolizes the emotional flatlining I was experiencing in the aftermath of that relationship. After everything ended, I thought I’d feel relief, and part of me did, but I also felt really disconnected from myself. It honestly felt like a part of me had died, and I was grieving the version of myself I used to be before I met this person. Even the idea of moving forward felt exhausting, and I think this song really captures that feeling of being stuck in it. “Code Blue” just felt like the only way to describe what I was going through at the time.
How does “Code Blue” continue the narrative you began with “Distance Makes A Love Story”?
It’s fun because each song tells its own standalone story, but when they’re put together, they tell a bigger one. In this case, “Distance Makes A Love Story” really represents that naivety of thinking you can go back to who you were after something ends. It’s that hope that things might still fit the same way, or that you’ll be accepted back into that version of yourself. “Code Blue” is where that illusion kind of falls apart. It’s the moment the rug gets pulled out from under you and you realize you can’t go back because too much has changed.
Sonically, how would you describe the world of “Code Blue” compared with your earlier releases?
Sonically, I really wanted it to be fun. I wanted to keep the depth I’ve had in my previous work but bring it into something that feels more energetic and enjoyable to listen to. It still sits in that pop lane, but “Code Blue” has some rock elements in it, which was new and really fun for me to play with on this track. A big part of that was thinking about playing it live. I wanted something that would feel good on stage while still letting me tell the kind of stories I love to tell.
Your vocals are described as cinematic and vulnerable on this track. How did you approach the performance in the studio?
I really tried not to overthink it. I wanted the vocal to feel honest more than perfect, so I focused on staying connected to what I was saying instead of trying to deliver it a certain way. I also recorded it in my home studio. I do a lot of my own vocal engineering, so it made it easier to just zone in and get into that headspace without anything getting in the way.
Was there a lyric in “Code Blue” that was especially difficult or personal for you to write?
I think one of the more honest lyrics is: “I’m not a storm chaser, but living in the clouds means rain and thunder’s gonna follow me around.”
It’s a bit of a brutal realization because it’s basically saying that even if I didn’t put myself there, I was still choosing to stay in that headspace. That was a hard thing for me to admit to myself, but it ended up being a really important part of what this song, and that time in my life, was about.
Many listeners are navigating fresh starts after difficult relationships. What do you hope they take away from this song?
More than anything, I just want people to feel less alone in it. That in-between stage after something ends can feel really confusing, especially when you don’t fully recognize yourself yet. For me, a big part of it was realizing that healing isn’t always clean or immediate, and that it’s okay to sit in that space for a bit while you figure things out. If someone hears the song and feels understood in that, or even just a little less hard on themselves, then that means a lot to me.
You’ve now amassed more than 620 million global streams. How has that level of reach changed your perspective as an artist?
I’m really proud of those numbers and the support behind them, but they haven’t really changed how I feel about the music itself. I still make songs because I need to get things off my chest, and I put them out hoping they connect with people. Whether a song has sixty thousand streams or millions doesn’t really change how I value it.
What it has changed is my awareness of how far a song can travel. The numbers mean people are actually listening and connecting, and that part is really special to me. If something I made finds its way into someone’s life and means something to them, that’s what actually matters.
With such a wide international audience, how do you stay grounded and connected to your authentic voice?
I think, for me, it just comes back to why I started making music in the first place. I write from real experiences, and that doesn’t really change no matter how many people are listening, even if it’s hard to share sometimes. That’s how I connect with people; that’s how I feel understood. It’s really important to me never to lose that.
You first broke through at just 13 years old with “Christmas for Two.” When you look back, what stands out most about that chapter of your career?
What stands out the most is how quickly Canada showed up for me and supported what I was doing. I was so young, and seeing people enjoy the song and get behind it meant a lot. It gave me the confidence to keep going and take it seriously, and I don’t think I fully understood at the time how special that was.
How do you feel you’ve evolved personally and musically since those early beginnings?
I think I’ve just become a lot more self-aware, both as a person and as an artist. When I was starting out, I was a lot more naïve and just figuring everything out as I went.
Now I feel more confident in who I am and what I want to say, and I trust my instincts a lot more. That’s changed the music too. It’s more intentional, more honest, and I’m not as afraid to sit in the uncomfortable parts of things and write from there.
You’ve had multiple Top 20 radio hits. What have those milestones taught you about longevity in pop music?
It’s taught me a lot about patience, honestly. Sometimes it takes time for a song to find its place and for people to really hear it, and you can’t always predict that.
I’ve also learned that it’s important not to chase what sounds current because what works today might not work tomorrow. People are always looking for something new, and the best way to do that is simply to be yourself and write from your own perspective. I’ve definitely made that mistake in the past, trying to write for radio and what I thought people would want. While I’m proud of some of those successes, I realized that longevity comes from writing what’s honest and authentic to me, not just what works in a moment but doesn’t really show who I am.
“Love Me,” “Ex’s,” and now “Code Blue” each show different sides of you. How would you define the Olivia Penalva sound today?
For me now, my sound is really rooted in honest, personal storytelling. That’s been true in a lot of my earlier work, and it’s definitely where I’m at now. There were moments, like with “Love Me” and “Ex’s,” where I leaned more into a character-driven, playful side. I’m proud of what those songs did, but they don’t reflect me in the same way the rest of my music does. What’s stayed consistent is that when I’m writing from my own experiences and perspective, that’s when it feels the most like me. The sound can shift depending on the song, but honesty is always the foundation.
You’ve been recognized twice as an iHeartRadio Future Star. What did that acknowledgement mean to you at key moments in your journey?
That was really special, especially because at the time it was something you could only receive once. So I really felt honoured to get it twice. That support showed me that I was on the right track and that what I was doing could go somewhere bigger.
It’s funny, though, because imposter syndrome is a real thing, and I still have moments where I ask myself, “Am I even good at what I’m doing?” Then something like iHeartRadio Future Star comes along and reminds me, “Okay, it’s not all in my head. I have to be doing something right.”
Canadian artists are making a strong impact globally right now. What does it mean to represent Canada in today’s pop landscape?
It means a lot, especially right now. I’ve never felt more proud to be Canadian and to represent Canada, not just as a pop artist but as an artist in general. There’s so much music culture here that I wish people outside Canada could see more of because it’s so diverse and incredible. I hope to make Canadians proud, and I’d love to see even more Canadian artists break out on a global level because the world deserves to hear them.
You were recently featured on Vancouver’s MOVE 103.5. How important is hometown and national support as your career grows?
It’s really important to me. That kind of support, especially from home, is what gave me a foundation to even build a career in the first place.
Being featured on MOVE 103.5 was really special, and I was honoured to be given a space to talk about my life and my music in a genuine way, much like this interview. There was a period during the Spiderwebs chapter where I put the music out but didn’t really want to be seen or heard from. So, coming back with new music and having Canada welcome me with open arms has made me really grateful and excited for this next chapter.
What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from balancing commercial success with personal storytelling?
One of the biggest lessons has been not letting anyone else define my art. I’ve learned not to create music based on what I think will sell, but to make music that actually means something to me. When I’ve followed that, the connection between the listener and the music has always been stronger, as has the connection between the listener and myself.
What does your creative process usually look like? Do melodies, lyrics, or concepts tend to come first?
It’s always different for each song. Sometimes I’m driving and a lyric or melody just comes to me. Other times it’s sitting down at the piano or with my guitar and finding chords that make me feel something. Sometimes it’s more emotional—something makes me angry, happy, or sad, and I just need to sit down and write it out. Other times, it starts with a track from a co-writer or producer, and the story builds from there. I don’t have a set formula for how to write a song; it kind of just happens.
Looking back on everything you’ve accomplished so far, what achievement are you proudest of today?
Up to today, I’d say my last album, Spiderwebs. It might not have been my most cohesive work, and it didn’t perform the same way some of my other projects have, but it’s the one I’m most proud of. At that point in my life, it was the hardest thing for me to write and put out. I was going through a really difficult time, and making that album actually helped me get through it. It ended up connecting with the people who needed it, and it was also the project that made me realize I still wanted to keep making music. I was close to walking away, and writing it reminded me why I started in the first place.
Finally, your message for us at TorontoPages magazine.
First of all, thank you so much for reading this far and for being a part of my journey. I think the biggest thing I’d want to leave people with is that sometimes growth means letting things go, even if you love them. It’s okay to outgrow versions of yourself or people who don’t serve you anymore. And be gentle with yourself. Life will knock you down sometimes, and that’s part of it.
