“After Hours” by Amilia Riviglia is a vivacious display of vocal prowess, songwriting, and groove. It’s catchy. It’s funky. It’s likely to be stuck in your head for days. If you’re a Dua Lipa fan, Amilia Riviglia is about to be your next obsession. So, without further ado, let’s get into the weeds of this infectious pop sensation.
The song begins with a few plucky, muted notes on electric guitar as well as a smooth riff. A casual drum groove carries the momentum along. “Getting close / It’s like you want to tell me something,” Amilia utters with a cool, conversational tone. Her voice is warm and uniquely affected. A bass guitar emphasizes a distinct rhythm, creating a vibrant polyphony in the accompaniment. The verse really uses a crisp yet busy set of textures to give the mix body, which, when done correctly turns out incredibly satisfying, but is often difficult to accomplish.
The chorus is similar in style, but with a more repetitive, memorable melody. It mimics the funk tunes of the sixties and seventies by keeping a few motifs as throughlines. This doesn’t negate how climactic the chorus is, however. With some brilliant subtly, small cues like pauses or hits spring the listener into a full-blown dance party in each instance.
If you want to hear more (like the slightly spacier, more atmospheric bridge), then you’ll just have to hear it for yourself. You won’t regret getting to know this versatile, fiercely gifted artist. “After Hours” is just a drop in the bucket of her amazing discography!
Written by Alyce lindberg
