With her latest single Instead of Making Love (Say Hello), released on October 30, 2025, Italian artist LESS steps boldly into a new creative phase that bridges emotional irony and nostalgic soundscapes. The song marks another milestone in her evolution, following two previous singles from her forthcoming album LOVELESS. This time, she swaps raw heartbreak for playful introspection, blending early 2000s pop textures with her unmistakably modern edge.
Born in Naples in 2001, LESS grew up surrounded by change. The daughter of two leather workers, she experienced a nomadic childhood, moving from the bustling streets of Arzano to the coastal calm of Fano, and later to Scandicci. Each relocation brought new lessons, shaping her into the resilient artist she is today. It was during this whirlwind of transitions that music found her — or perhaps, that she found herself through music. By the age of twelve, she had picked up a guitar and begun to write songs that became both confession and compass. What began as a pastime soon grew into a lifeline.
Her earliest songs reflected a teenager’s raw honesty — an unfiltered look at identity, self-discovery, and emotional friction. At fourteen, when she first came to terms with her sexual orientation, music became her sanctuary, a space where she could exist without compromise. Songs like Why Do You Lie? and Hole emerged during that period, translating moments of confusion and inner conflict into strikingly candid storytelling. These early works hinted at a deeper artistic voice — one that refused to fit neatly into any category.
Instead of Making Love (Say Hello) continues that journey of fearless exploration. Written and recorded alongside her long-time collaborators Lorenzo Santi and Federico Maremmi, with Marco Lega at the Kapow Vintage Studio in Florence, the track showcases LESS at her most confident and self-aware. There’s an almost cinematic flair to the production — a subtle blend of shimmering guitars, groove-driven bass, and that slightly nostalgic sheen reminiscent of early 2000s alternative pop. Yet it’s her lyrical wit that takes center stage. The song feels both playful and poignant, turning romantic cliché on its head with sharp self-awareness.
At its heart, Instead of Making Love (Say Hello) is a song about communication — or perhaps the lack of it. LESS uses irony to explore the disconnect that often exists between physical closeness and emotional intimacy. Her voice, equal parts vulnerability and defiance, carries the listener through this contradiction with grace. There’s a sense of freedom in the way she sings, as if she’s shedding old expectations while inviting us into her world of shifting emotions.
For LESS, this single also represents a creative reset. After parting ways with her previous distributor, she entered the studio determined to experiment without restraint. The result is a sound that feels more open and fluid, balancing her signature introspective lyricism with a livelier, more dynamic rhythm. She has described the process as liberating — a chance to embrace imperfection and play with tone, texture, and irony in new ways. It’s no wonder that the song has already found early success, being included in a compilation by Compigram and pre-selected for major European festivals.
Listeners who have followed LESS from her earlier releases will notice how far her songwriting has evolved. Where her debut tracks like Up and Down and Asking for a Change captured uncertainty and longing, her new material carries a sense of perspective. She no longer writes solely from pain, but from understanding. Her voice — both literal and artistic — has matured into something rich with emotion but grounded in calm self-awareness. It’s this balance that makes Instead of Making Love (Say Hello) such a compelling listen.
The song’s nostalgic flair also ties into the broader aesthetic of LOVELESS, her upcoming album. While details remain under wraps, the title alone hints at the complex emotional terrain she plans to navigate. LESS has always had a gift for translating inner turmoil into beauty, and this new project promises to expand on that gift with even more depth and honesty.
At 22, LESS embodies a rare duality — the innocence of youth intertwined with the wisdom of someone who has already faced transformation after transformation. Her music doesn’t chase trends; it distills experience into melody. She approaches songwriting not as performance but as reflection, a way to connect with others through shared imperfection. Each lyric feels like a letter she’s written to herself, then decided to send out into the world.
With Instead of Making Love (Say Hello), LESS invites listeners into her ever-evolving soundscape — one that celebrates both vulnerability and strength, irony and sincerity. It’s a song about reclaiming self-expression, about choosing connection over expectation, about saying hello to who you’ve become.
LESS stands at the intersection of introspection and reinvention, her voice echoing far beyond the borders of Italy. With LOVELESS on the horizon and her growing international recognition, she’s poised to become one of Europe’s most intriguing new voices. For now, Instead of Making Love (Say Hello) is more than just a single — it’s a statement of intent from an artist who has learned that even in love’s aftermath, there is always something worth saying.
