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THE ARCHITECT OF SOME OF THE UK’S BIGGEST SINGLES STEPS FORWARD WITH HIS OWN
House of EL returns with the compelling new single “Say It Ain’t So”, a genre-defying exploration of truth, deception, and the grey areas in between. Marking his first release of 2025, the track emerges from a period of deep creative development, following a trip to LA where House of EL — aka Kieron McIntosh — continued cultivating his sound and artistic network.
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.
With “Say It Ain’t So”, House of EL delivers more than a soul-laced groove — it’s a cultural critique wrapped in melody. Speaking on the single, he shares:
“‘Say It Ain’t So’ was originally a topline I wrote for Kartell (who sadly passed away recently). It didn’t fit his project, but the concept stuck with me. It’s about truth and lies — not just in love, but in how we relate to leaders, companies, even the food we eat. Trust is fragile right now, and this track is part of a larger project digging into that theme.”
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.
“Say It Ain’t So” reaffirms House of EL’s status as not only a bold voice in UK music, but a forward thinking curator of culture.
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