Born in Naples, Italy, and raised in Arzano, Less is an artist whose journey through life and music embodies resilience, self-discovery, and emotional depth. The daughter of two leather workers, she grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, adaptability, and quiet strength. Her early years were defined by constant movement, a nomadic but affectionate childhood that took her across different Italian towns and shaped her understanding of change as both challenge and growth. A major turning point came when her family relocated to Fano in the Marche region when she was just eight years old. It was a move that not only altered her environment but also sowed the seeds of introspection that would later define her songwriting. At eleven, she moved again, this time to Scandicci, and it was here that the loss of her grandmother, a deeply cherished figure in her childhood, left a permanent emotional imprint. Music soon became her anchor, a way to find light amid uncertainty, and a place where her emotions could live without restriction.
By the age of twelve, Less had discovered both the guitar and her singing voice. What began as a playful curiosity soon evolved into a genuine form of expression. She began writing songs drawn from her inner world, reflections on love, pain, confusion, and the fleeting beauty of growing up. Her teenage years were marked by profound self-exploration. At fourteen, she came to understand her sexual orientation, a personal revelation that brought peace within but tension at home. Music became her refuge, a language through which she could be entirely herself. Songs such as “Why Do You Lie?” and “Hole” emerged during this time, raw, emotional portraits of heartbreak and identity that revealed her ability to turn vulnerability into artistry. Later, during the Covid-19 pandemic, isolation became another catalyst for transformation. Investing in a small home studio, she began experimenting with recording, writing, and producing her own work. It was during this creative solitude that she connected with Lorenzo Santi and Federico Maremmi, who, along with Marco Lega, run Kapow Vintage Studio in Florence.
This collaboration became pivotal, not just professionally but personally. In them, Less found mentors and friends who helped refine her sound and encouraged her to explore her emotions through analog warmth and authentic production. Together, they forged a partnership that brought out the best of her expressive range. Through their guidance, she developed a more confident voice, both vocally and artistically. Her subsequent singles, including “Up and Down,” “I Need All Your Love,” and “Asking for a Change,” marked the emergence of a more self-aware and versatile artist. Less evolved into a multifaceted figure, part dreamer, part realist, channeling her emotions through psychedelic rock textures and honest lyricism. At 22, she stands as a representation of artistic maturity, blending youthful candor with adult insight. Her art is not confined to genre; it’s a living diary, an emotional landscape rendered in sound.
Released on October 30, 2025, “Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)” represents a new chapter in Less’s creative evolution, a bridge between emotional vulnerability and mature irony. Written in collaboration with her longtime producers at Kapow Vintage Studio in Florence, and recorded entirely through analog machines, the single captures the essence of her growth as an artist and as a woman stepping confidently into adulthood. The track departs from her earlier introspective tone, leaning instead into a vibrant early-2000s-inspired sound that blends warmth, groove, and sophistication. Its title itself carries an elegant paradox, a bittersweet metaphor for how relationships often drift from intimacy to distance, from love to politeness, from passion to mere civility. Yet, instead of sadness, the song embraces humor and self-awareness, showing an artist who no longer fears emotional honesty but rather celebrates it with grace.
Built around a bright, organic mix and powered by Less’s emotive and dynamic vocals, “Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)” exudes charm, irony, and emotional clarity. It begins softly, tender and cinematic, before blooming into a rhythmic funk-rock pulse that feels both nostalgic and refreshing. Through its sonic transitions, the track mirrors Less’s own transformation: from introspection to empowerment, from pain to acceptance. This is not merely a love song; it’s a reflection of how connection evolves, how saying “hello” can sometimes mean letting go, and how emotional maturity can sound as soulful as it is self-assured. It’s a defining moment for Less an artist who continues to blur the lines between vulnerability and strength, crafting music that is as personal as it is universally resonant.
“Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)” by Less opens with a gentle yet captivating allure that immediately sets an emotional tone. The track begins not with a full instrumental buildup but with Less’s beautiful, expressive vocals that instantly draw the listener in. Her voice enters softly, rich and honest, carrying both vulnerability and poise. Behind her, a delicate piano melody blooms, graceful, warm, and fluid, adding a tender emotional weight that feels intimate and pure. The piano’s soft resonance flows like a slow heartbeat, creating a calm, reflective space before the rhythm section awakens. Soon after, subtle percussive elements begin to emerge, soft taps, muted shakers, and distant hi-hats, providing just enough motion to suggest a pulse beneath the calm. Crisp, mellow guitar lines gently weave in, wrapping around the piano’s warmth and the vocals’ sincerity. This opening moment is enchanting, a balance of fragility and soul, the kind of introduction that feels both cinematic and personal. It’s the calm before the groove takes shape.
As the intro unfolds, the song begins its first transformation, stepping confidently into funk-rock territory. The rhythm section comes alive with a newfound vibrancy, the bass enters with a full, bouncy texture, its notes sliding and pulsing in sync with the kick drum. The groove settles naturally, giving the track its distinct rhythmic swagger. The guitars switch to more rhythmic strumming, sharp and percussive, occasionally flickering with bright, clean chords that shimmer above the groove. The piano takes a backseat, allowing the interplay between the guitar, bass, and drums to lead the momentum. The percussion becomes tighter, the snare crisp, the hi-hats shimmering in tight syncopation, every element moving in cohesion. The funk-rock rhythm carries a magnetic pull, inviting motion without aggression, and radiating a cool, infectious energy. The analog warmth of the production enhances this section, making each sound feel tactile and alive, as if the listener is in the same room with the instruments. The transition feels effortless, natural evolution rather than contrast, and this is where the track’s heartbeat truly begins to pulse.
Less’s vocals glide through this section with commanding grace, blending seamlessly with the rhythmic backdrop. Her delivery becomes more confident, his tone deeper and more textured, floating between soulful restraint and expressive release. She sings with clarity and emotion, his phrasing precise yet fluid, perfectly mirroring the song’s rhythmic elasticity. There’s a conversational rhythm to her voice, it rises and falls like speech, but always lands melodically. His performance feels deeply human, reflecting the song’s lyrical weight: a meditation on connection, distance, and the emotional quiet that replaces passion. The lyrical phrases resonates as both poetic and melancholic, with metaphors for how relationships can shift from intimacy to mere formality. Beneath her vocals, the instrumentation swells subtly, layers of warm guitar tones, the ever-bouncy bassline, and the faint sparkle of cymbals that flutter like whispers in the mix. The result is a sound that grooves with sincerity, neither too loud nor too restrained, but perfectly poised between soul and subtlety.
Midway through the song, a striking transformation occurs as the funk-rock groove gives way to a lush, atmospheric contemporary rock soundscape. The guitars grow thicker, sustained chords ring out with emotional resonance, and the piano returns subtly, tying the sections together with soft undertones. The percussion opens up, cymbals bloom with a wider spread, and the snare hits deepen, giving the rhythm more weight. The bass continues to bounce, maintaining that signature pulse that threads through the song, but now it carries a deeper emotional undertone. The transition doesn’t feel abrupt, instead, it flows like an emotional awakening, the song shedding its groove-driven exterior for something more introspective and cinematic. The sonic layers expand, with faint synth pads adding air and dimension. The track becomes a landscape, wide, atmospheric, and quietly powerful, marking the shift from funk-rock energy to contemporary rock depth. It’s in this middle section that the song finds its emotional climax, where rhythm and melody coexist in perfect harmony.
The instrumental section is mesmerizing, the guitars sing with soulful expression, each note carefully chosen, their tones glowing with analog warmth. The bass moves fluidly beneath, its bouncy rhythm now softened but still unmistakably alive, keeping the groove intact even as the mood turns more reflective. The piano reemerges with delicate accents, tracing melodies between the guitar lines, while faint organ textures or synth pads breathe through the background, adding subtle harmonic richness. The drums play with restraint, using space as an instrument, each hit deliberate, each pause meaningful. The production feels deeply organic, every sound layered with care, allowing air and imperfection to exist naturally. There’s a human touch to the mix that enhances the song’s emotional gravity, you can hear the breath of the instruments, the warmth of tape compression, the intimacy of a real room. The groove at this point feels hypnotic, less about movement and more about immersion, a smooth, flowing rhythm that carries emotion in every measure.
Less transforms vulnerability into groove, blending soulful emotion and analog warmth in a heartfelt journey of maturity, irony, and self-discovery.
As the track draws toward its conclusion, it gracefully returns to softness, mirroring the tenderness of its opening but now with added emotional weight. The guitars mellow into gentle, clean tones; the piano once again takes prominence, gliding beneath Less’s closing vocal lines. Her voice now feels introspective, reflective, as though she’s come full circle in the emotional journey he began at the start. The percussion softens, leaving subtle brushes of rhythm while the bass lingers quietly, giving a final pulse before fading. The song closes not with grandeur but with elegance, a serene, heartfelt resolution that leaves a quiet echo of warmth. The overall rhythm lingers in memory, smooth, soulful, and deeply human. “Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)” stands as a beautifully crafted journey, moving from its soulful vocal opening to its groovy funk-rock core and finally settling into a soft contemporary rock masterpiece. It’s a piece defined not only by its transitions but by the emotional honesty that flows through every note, groove, and breath, a sonic testament to connection, distance, and the timeless beauty of sound made with heart.
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