Credit: House Heaven Videographer
House of Allegro, a lively musical pair located in London, England, combines Electronic Dance, House, and Psychedelic genres. DJ Alec B from London and vocalist Michelina from Baltimore came together to form the group, combining their varied musical experiences and artistic energies to create a captivating and otherworldly sound. Alec B, who is both the producer and driving instrumental force of the duo, has had a strong connection to music since he was young, broadening his skills from the piano to a wide variety of keyboards and synthesizers. His creative method in music production, which involves creating a chord progression generator, has enabled him to expand the boundaries of House of Allegro’s music.
In contrast, Michelina’s exceptional vocal range of nearly four octaves and her diverse professional experience in different singing genres add a distinctive touch to the duo’s music. Her adaptability and skill in changing her voice to fit various musical genres make her an ideal match for Alec B’s complex productions. The pair started their journey on a movie set, bonding over their shared love for music and eventually launching House of Allegro, a project that has swiftly transitioned from a pastime to a successful side job. Their music showcases not only their personal skills but also their teamwork, creating a unique sound that is both familiar and groundbreaking.
Unveiled on August 23rd, 2024, “Evolution” is the most recent release from House of Allegro, demonstrating the duo’s quick creative method and their knack for creating top-notch music on their own. The album includes ten carefully created tracks that capture the duo’s passion for UK future house and American dance music. “Evolution” showcases how Alec B’s London background and Michelina’s American style combine to produce a set of songs that are contemporary yet enduring, highlighting their unique cultural and musical influences. The album starts with a robust sense of self, showcasing compelling instrumentation in every track that quickly captures the listener’s attention. It is evident from the beginning that House of Allegro excels in making music that is both technically skilled and incredibly catchy. The songs possess a charming quality, mixing hypnotic beats and lively melodies that make them easy to dance to and hard to forget.
The production quality o’ “Evolution” is one of its notable features. Alec B’s skills and knowledge are evident in every song, with each element like beats, synths, and chord progressions carefully arranged to form a seamless and engaging musical journey. The album takes listeners on a musical voyage, unveiling intricate layers of sound that become more apparent with each listen, demonstrating the duo’s talent in creating music that is intricate yet easy to enjoy. The album’s vocals are also a standout feature. The singing smoothly moves across the complex rhythms, bringing a sense of richness and feeling to the music. Her performance is consistently captivating, whether she is delivering a strong, belting sound or a softer, soulful melody, pulling the listener into the world of every track. Her impressive talent lies in her capability to adjust her voice to match the music’s mood and style, creating a distinct feel for each song yet keeping a consistent overall sound.
Evolution Album Track List:
The House:
“The House,” as the opening track of House of Allegro’s album ‘Evolution’, sets a powerful tone for what’s to come. From the very first moments, the track hooks the listener with a heavy bass beat that feels both intense and compelling. This bass-driven foundation serves as the backbone of the track, creating a textured musical landscape that builds anticipation. The instrumentation alone is enough to captivate listeners, with layers of sound that rise and fall, pulling the audience into the groove. The track’s ability to build and then drop the energy through instrumentation alone demonstrates House of Allegro’s mastery of electronic production.
At the 1:08-minute mark, the introduction of a vocalizing voice adds a new dimension to the track. This vocal element is not lyrical but rather serves as an additional instrument, weaving an eerie and haunting feel into the already powerful mix. The harmonizing vocals blend seamlessly with the bass and other instrumental elements, enhancing the track’s overall atmosphere. This eerie quality gives “The House” a unique character, setting it apart from more straightforward dance tracks and adding depth to the listening experience.
During the entire song, “The House” keeps a lively and memorable vibe that never wanes. The music is both weighty and captivating, ensuring that your attention is fully captured by its lively rhythm. The engaging quality of the track shows that House of Allegro can produce music that is both intricate and easy to enjoy. Being the first song on the album, “The House” effectively sets the stage for the rest of the tracks, captivating listeners with a powerful combination of bass, haunting vocals, and an infectious groove that remains consistent throughout.
My Turn:
The fourth track on ‘Evolution’, titled “My Turn,” is a dance anthem filled with bass that captures the listeners’ attention right away with its strong groove. Right from the beginning, the song introduces a strong, rhythmic beat that establishes the mood for what will follow. The infectious rhythm draws listeners in with its energetic vibe, making it difficult to keep from moving. This relentless groove forms the robust base of the track, propelling the momentum ahead and maintaining consistent energy levels.
A strong and alluring voice joins in at the 45-second point, blending perfectly with the powerful music. This vocal component brings a human element to the track which is largely electronic, without diminishing its strength. The voice seamlessly mingles with the intense beats, producing a unified sound that is both captivating and thrilling. The vocals confidently align with the rhythmic intensity of the track, ensuring a cohesive and powerful blend of vocal and instrumental elements.
As the song goes on, a ghostly voice is also added, bringing a creepy and disturbing aspect to the music. The eerie voice contrasts with the lively and funky vibe of the track, adding complexity that captivates the listener. The mixture of heavy bass, strong vocals, and a spooky undertone makes “My Turn” a standout song on the album. It is an enthralling dance music composition that successfully combines thrill and intrigue, demonstrating House of Allegro’s skill in blending various emotions and sounds in one song.
With You:
The seventh track “With You” stands out thanks to its blend of contrasting elements. The song starts with a powerful, thumping rhythm that quickly captures the listener’s focus, establishing a solid, rhythmic base. This rhythm is quickly joined by a gentle, emotional singing that develops alongside the powerful music. The contrast between the soft vocals and the strong beat forms an interesting relationship, where neither aspect dominates the other, but instead, they complement each other to produce an engaging sound.
The singing on “With You” is entirely spontaneous, giving the song a feeling of spontaneity and genuine emotion. This spontaneous addition gives a natural vibe to the tightly crafted rhythm, giving room for the track to develop naturally. The gentle, nearly affectionate vocals are in striking opposition to the forceful, nearly intimidating garage beat, creating a song that is both personal and strong. The spontaneous vocals add a feeling of urgency to the track, making it seem like the emotions are being conveyed instantly.
The strong musical background continues consistently in the song, keeping up its energy and urgency without overshadowing the vocals. This precise equilibrium guarantees that the track maintains its core, producing a powerful and nuanced sound. “With You” showcases House of Allegro’s skill in merging contrasting elements like gentle vocals and strong beats to create a unified and enthralling musical composition. The outcome is a song that is new, original, and very captivating, making it a standout moment of the album.
Should I Stay:
“Should I Stay,” the last song on ‘Evolution’, holds a profound emotional significance that provides a moving ending to the album. Created while Michelina was entertaining individuals with dementia and those nearing the end of their life, the song is filled with introspection and emotion. Right from the beginning, the track’s elaborate arrangement captivates the listener, with a solid beat serving as the base and a complex mix of rhythms playing above it. This combination of sounds forms a rhythmically intricate and compelling background that instantly draws in the listener’s focus.
The vocal delivery of “Should I Stay” is like a movie soundtrack and out of this world, beautifully enhancing the strong rhythmic base. Michelina’s voice appears to glide over the music, giving the track a captivating and haunting ethereal quality. The fusion of her voice with the beat produces a soundscape that seems vast and engaging, as though the audience is being transported to another realm. This musical performance, with its movie-like feel, brings an added dimension to the song, taking it from a simple rhythmic piece to something truly moving.
House of Allegro’s artistry is showcased by the track’s blend of catchy, groovy elements with emotional depth. The dynamic and exciting listening experience is enhanced by the dancing sounds in the track, which are complemented by an underlying emotional context that adds deep significance. Being the final song on the album, “Should I Stay” concludes the musical experience of ‘Evolution’ and continues to resonate emotionally, combining rhythmic complexity with deep emotional impact.
Every song on the album is allowed to breathe and evolve, as the album seamlessly transitions from one track to another. This meticulous focus on timing guarantees the album sustains its vitality and drive, resulting in a captivating experience from start to finish. “Evolution” is notable for effectively blending innovation and approachability. Although the album explores new territory by blending House and Dance music with elements of Psychedelic music and experimental production techniques, its main focus remains on crafting enjoyable and memorable music. This equilibrium is crucial for the album to be successful, attracting both casual listeners and more perceptive music enthusiasts.
To sum up, “Evolution” is a strong and remarkable album that demonstrates House of Allegro’s skills and their capability to create music that is original and easy to enjoy. The album showcases the duo’s dedication and hard work, and is bound to connect with fans of electronic and dance music. “Evolution” is a necessity for those seeking new, thrilling electronic dance music, thanks to its infectious tunes, top-notch production, and emotionally powerful vocals.
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