"Under the Makeup" is the lead single from a-ha 's 2015 comeback album, . The track marked a significant return for the Norwegian trio after their 2010 farewell tour, offering a cinematic, orchestral sound that diverges from their 1980s synth-pop roots. Lyric & Theme Analysis
: The "makeup" serves as a metaphor for the masks people wear in relationships. The narrator expresses a longing to see their partner without these layers—"I want to see you under the makeup"—to rediscover the original connection they once shared. a_ha_under_the_makeup_lyric
Reviews of the track were generally positive, though some critics found certain elements "pedestrian" compared to the band's historic hits. "Under the Makeup" is the lead single from