Views: 7
Musical shapeshifter, House of EL, returns with “Dirty Tricks”, a brooding, lyrically sharp single that follows the soulful “Say It Ain’t So” released in May. Known for his ability to weave meaning into every line, House of EL continues to blur the lines between soul, indie, and R&B, a he continues to deliver music that’s as thought-provoking as it is sonically rich.
“Dirty Tricks”, that’s a phrase pulled from the backrooms of politics, back when scandal still had the decency to be subtle. The kind of thing that seemed dirty in the ’80s and ’90s feels like child’s play now”, explained House Of EL. In an era where cancel-culture and technology have masked true authenticity, “Dirty Tricks” is an honest letter surrounding ‘truth vs deception’. Layered over crisp guitar licks courtesy of Frank Formers, “There’s a certain ache in the strings, the kind that knows where the bodies are buried.”
When asked about the single, House Of EL shares: “This song wrestles with a theme that I’m touching on for the entire project ‘truth vs deception’, they’re old familiar ghosts that I feel have reared their head and taken centre stage in our society…It’s a strange time we’re living in. Hard to tell what’s real or fake anymore, the line between genuine and counterfeit has become so thin it’s nearly invisible.”
Far from seeking the spotlight, House of EL functions as a creative workshop, a vessel for authentic expression shaped by McIntosh’s vast experience as a musician, songwriter, and producer. With echoes of artists like Toro y Moi and Mark Ronson, he exists outside rigid categories — a collaborative artist intent on experimenting and crafting music without boundaries or the constraints of genre. Uninterested in formulas, McIntosh follows a musical compass that’s guided by instinct, curiosity, and soul — allowing each project to evolve in whatever direction feels true in the moment.
Behind the curtain, McIntosh’s fingerprints have helped shape some of the UK’s biggest musical moments. From co-writing platinum hits for Becky Hill & Chase & Status (“Disconnect”), to work with Paloma Faith, Emeli Sandé, Plan B, Tom Grennan, and US icons like Janelle Monáe, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Joey Bada$$, his influence continues to ripple across continents and sounds.
A self-produced multi-instrumentalist with jazz roots and a restless creative spirit, House of EL’s sound draws from Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Massive Attack, and Joy Division, living at the intersection of soul, electronic, and cinematic pop. He releases music via his label WUNDERKIND, where he operates as writer, producer, and creative lead — a truly autonomous artistic platform.
His work has landed in NBA 2K, Amazon’s Hanna, The Equalizer, and a landmark Lancôme campaign filmed at the Louvre with Zendaya. Following a London Jazz Festival headline and a standout tour with Reuben James (including their Tiny Desk performance of “The Start”), McIntosh is poised to expand his creative universe once more.
CONNECT WITH HOUSE OF EL:
