Decorated Canadian pop singer-songwriter, Olivia Penalva, is returning with a brand new single, “Distance Makes A Love Story,” (February 13, 2026). With over 620 million global streams, 17 million YouTube views, and appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Canada’s Emerging Artist Chart, Penalva has built a deeply connected international audience drawn to her emotionally rich, cinematic pop sound. Charting on Canadian radio at just 13 years old with holiday song, “Christmas for Two”, Penalva has since earned consistent radio and platform success across Canada and internationally, where her breakout single “Love Me” charting at #17 on CHR Mediabase, #22 on Hot AC, and #23 on AC, alongside a YouTube Music Trending Artist on the Rise feature for its lyric video and inclusion in Virgin Radio’s #WomensHistoryMonth campaign. Her single “Ex’s” continued that momentum, reaching the Top 20 at CHR and Hot AC radio in Canada and breaking into the Top 50 on U.S. mainstream pop radio, and landing two iHeartRadio Future Star Awards and multi-format Top 40 charting for “Skyline (The Madlucky Remix).” Celebrated for the relatability of her heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable pop melodies, Penalva’s storytelling inspires both connection and reflection, leaving fans with relatable songs that leave room for interpretation to their realities.
“Distance Makes A Love Story” is a self-reflective journey framed as a love story. Tackling the evolving relationship we have with ourselves, the track furthers Penalva’s reputation for writing songs that feel intimate, resonant, and disarmingly honest. “Distance Makes A Love Story” will be available everywhere on February 13 2026.
About “Distance Makes A Love Story”:
Blending romantic warmth and quiet self-reckoning, “Distance Makes A Love Story” finds Olivia Penalva reframing personal growth as a love story. Picking up where her last album Spiderwebs left off, the upbeat and catchy pop track alludes to questions about a romantic love on the surface while holding a deeper double meaning, where the character in the song wonders if they can still be accepted after changing. Intentionally cloaking self-reflection in romance, Penalva invites listeners to hear the song as their own love story, while subtly telling one about choosing yourself. Sonically, the track pushes into new territory for Penalva, with unexpected saxophone and a driving drumbeat that evokes the feeling of accelerative motion, mirroring the song’s narrative arc of running toward something bigger before pausing in the final bridge to question the cost of that escape. Opening with acoustic guitar punctuated by piano, Penalva’s soft and emotive vocals move through layered harmonies and shifting tempos. Ending where doubt surfaces, “Distance Makes A Love Story” captures the tension between forward motion and introspection, standing as a fresh chapter and a confident emotional anchor for a concept album rooted in storytelling, double meanings, and the realization that growth rarely follows a straight road home.
Quote: “Distance Makes a Love Story” is about trying to find your way back to a past flame and realizing the distance might be the thing keeping the feeling alive. It captures the tension of reaching out, wondering if what once felt like home will still recognize you. The song lives in that moment between hope and hesitation, where closing the gap could either change everything or confirm what’s already gone”. – Olivia Penalva
Olivia Penalva Biography
Olivia Penalva is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter known for her ethereal vocals, emotionally rich melodies, and introspective storytelling. Her music has been described as a weighted blanket for the soul: soothing, immersive, and deeply resonant, blending intimate lyrics with lush, cinematic production. Earning a Top 20 spot on Canadian radio for singles “Love Me”, her follow up single “Ex’s” also reached the Top 20 on both CHR and Hot AC radio in Canada. The song also marked Olivia’s first foray into US radio, with a Top 50 spot on mainstream pop radio. With over 620 million worldwide streams and more than 17 million YouTube views, Olivia has built a dedicated global fanbase drawn to her evocative storytelling and emotional honesty.
Inspired by artists like Sara Bareilles, Maggie Rogers, and Lennon Stella, Olivia creates songs that sit at the intersection of vulnerability and strength, offering both comfort and catharsis. Her latest album, Spiderwebs, showcases her signature dreamy pop sound and explores themes of self-discovery, love, and resilience. The project has received widespread recognition, with features in eTalk, Billboard Canada, Cashbox Canada, Buzz Music USA, and Canadian Beats, further establishing Olivia as a compelling and relatable voice in pop music.
Beyond the studio, she thrives in live performance, creating personal and powerful moments with audiences. With new music on the horizon, Olivia continues to evolve artistically, inviting listeners to follow along as her journey and sound unfolds.
Connect with Olivia Penalva:
Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / TikTok / X / Soundcloud
