At 22, Los Angeles artist Ari Rivera has already built a world around his music. His pop songs carry an emotional edge, shaped by personal stories and a clear visual identity. In 2022, he shared fifteen demos as part of his 5664fairave.com collection alongside digital art pieces, then followed it up with his debut EP in January 2023. Now he’s back with “house of pies”, a track that sets the tone for his upcoming project, ari rivera ep 2, arriving April 3, 2024.
“house of pies” centers on a young love that sparked in an ordinary place. Rivera wrote it about meeting his now partner at his favorite diner, swapping stories about where they had been and what they had survived. There’s something simple and honest about that setting. It feels real, like a memory you can picture clearly. The song was made with Billy Lemos and the Harcourt Paloma collective, a group Rivera helped build, and that sense of collaboration adds to its warmth.
Drawing from influences that range from James Taylor to Drake, and Clairo to Dijon, Rivera blends intimacy with modern pop instincts. The track feels open and unforced, giving his voice room to carry the emotion without overcomplicating it. You can hear him leaning into vulnerability instead of hiding behind polish.
This time around, he approached the music with a lighter grip. Rather than obsessing over every detail, he let the songs breathe and allowed heavier themes, including grief, to sit naturally inside them. That balance gives “house of pies” its charm. It feels thoughtful but not overworked, personal without trying too hard. If this is the direction ari rivera ep 2 is heading, there’s a lot to look forward to.
