Cupertino based composer and artist extraordinaire Allen Yu, with an insurmountable levels of talent and attention to the minutest detail, Allen has managed to achieve a musical marvel that we don’t come by everyday…or even year, his latest album “Winds of Change” is the breath of fresh air in a tainted world…a monumental musical experience awaits you.
“Winds of Change” is an instrumental album with 12 tracks, or let me say, 12 musical journeys and adventures filled with emotions to the brim and infused with a myriad of brilliant melodies…Allen is in complete control of his piano and he knows how to communicate with its sound, emotions and melodies crystal clear…
Allen’s attention to detail doesn’t just extend to his brilliant musicality and harmonic talents, but it starts as early as the album art…the design of which portrays a man playing the piano under a flower, the dandelion, which is considered as a symbol of hope…and that is the kind of thought and passion put into “Winds of Change”.
Starting this rich musical adventure is the first piece “Whispers of the Wind”…which encapsulates both the beginning of the journey and hints of the destination. With a stunning piano arrangement and excellent playing, Allen sets the bar pretty high…spoiler alert…he raises it many more times throughout the album.
…for example, the second piece…yes, that quick…”Tango Fantasia”…this is one full, rich and excellently realized piano masterpiece that goes for a fusion between the melancholic and the upbeat…and as the name would suggest, it is a fantastical reimagination of the spirit of tango.
The whole album is just Allen and his piano…and to be honest, it is quite the challenge for the artist to keep the audience engaged for 12 original pieces, however, Allen is obviously not an ordinary composer or pianist, in my opinion, Allen is on the top of my list of a pianist/composer for the last 20 years…and I’m not exaggerating in the slightest sense.
What makes Allen unique is not his perfect technique, not the complexity or multi-layered harmonies…it’s his ability to pour his emotions into mesmerizing melodies that could be heard and felt across each of the 12 pieces on “Winds of Change”.
The album is a collection of piano solos and the result of a collaboration with pianist Victor Hugo Morales who also arranged and performed Allen’s previous two singles.
I wish Allen’s album would be the winds of change for the whole world, his music induces a very strong feeling of “don’t worry, everything will be alright”.
I can not stress this enough, listening to Allen Yu’s album “Winds of Change” is an absolute must.
We wish all the best to Allen and we can’t get enough of his music.
“Winds of Change” is the perfect Christmas gift to the world.
Cheers!