Interview: Rich Allo on His Powerful New Single “You”

“You” feels incredibly raw and honest. Can you take us back to that night in February when the song first came to life? What emotions were you processing while writing it?

Rich Allo: Yes, there is something very raw and honest in this song. I remember feeling pretty isolated when writing it. That was probably helped by how dark it was outside, and I seem to remember my flat was dimly-lit with this orange glow. “You” taps into the idea of trying to stay in control of yourself, so at the time I remember feeling quite insecure about my life and where it was going.

The track’s build—from delicate piano to an explosive, cinematic climax—mirrors an emotional unraveling. Was that intentional from the start, or did it evolve during production?

Rich Allo: I always knew, when playing the song for the first time at the piano and improvising the structure, that I wanted there to be this huge instrumental breakdown at the end. The drama and scale didn’t fully take shape until I got in the studio and started experimenting. I enlisted the genius of my friend Barry Curtis, a Jersey guitarist, who has a real talent for creating “unique walls of sound.” That collaboration elevated “You” in ways I hadn’t imagined.

You’ve cited influences like M83, Greet Death, Freddie Mercury, and Bruce Springsteen. How do those inspirations shape your sound and storytelling?

Rich Allo: M83 and Greet Death have such anthemic sounds—I feel spiritually elevated when I hear their work. That element of escapism and euphoria is my favorite part of writing and listening to music. With “You,” I wanted that big dreamy, ambient feel. Freddie Mercury and Bruce Springsteen have influenced how I sing—I often belt at the top of my range because that’s where the emotion lives. There’s something visceral about hearing someone “cry” their lyrics out.

There’s a beautiful emotional tension in “You”—a push and pull between holding it together and letting go. What does that duality mean to you personally?

Rich Allo: Thank you, I’m really pleased that it translates. I’m no stranger to anxiety and depression, and as an artist with an unpredictable path, it can feel like you’re constantly on edge. That’s the “holding it together” part. But when I sing or play, I can finally let go. That’s where the release happens.

Your background in acting and drama clearly informs your performance style. How does your theatrical training influence how you write, perform, or connect with audiences?

Rich Allo: There’s definitely a theatricality in my music. My choruses tend to be dramatic and larger-than-life. I don’t like to hold back. The audience is everything. If I can write a song that moves someone—and deliver it in a way that makes them feel part of the experience—then I’ve done my job. On stage, I try to break the fourth wall and make it interactive. Without the crowd, there’s no show.

Coming from Jersey in the Channel Islands, how has your environment and upbringing impacted your voice as an artist?

Rich Allo: Jersey is a beautiful place. The beaches are incredibly inspiring, especially when you’re writing about escape. You literally have the ocean in front of you. Being isolated from the mainland also makes you want to “call out” and explore, but it also gives you a strong identity. I think growing up here made me more ambitious, in a way.

Mental health, identity, and transformation are central themes in your music. What role does songwriting play in helping you process those experiences?

Rich Allo: Songwriting is cathartic for me. I usually feel emotionally cleansed after writing. You open up subconsciously and start revealing what’s really going on inside. A lot of my songs sound melancholic on the surface, but there’s usually a hopeful message underneath. That’s how I process feelings of sadness and insecurity.

How do you usually approach songwriting? Are you led more by melody, lyrics, emotion—or does it vary?

Rich Allo: I’m mostly led by melody and atmosphere. The music almost always comes first—usually on piano or guitar. Then lyrics follow, often as stream-of-consciousness. Phil Collins actually writes this way too, and that approach has had a big influence on me.

What’s one lyric or moment in “You” that feels the most personal or powerful to you? Why?

Rich Allo: The most powerful moment is right before the instrumental outro, when I sing:

“Don’t lose it… it’s just what we need.”

That line felt so desperate when I heard it back in the final mix. I remember thinking, wow, I must’ve really meant that. It sets up the emotional unraveling that happens in the ending, where the song breaks down—just like the person in it.

What’s coming next after this release? Should fans be looking out for an EP, live shows, or more singles on the horizon?

Rich Allo: Yes! Fans can expect live shows, both in my hometown of Jersey and on the mainland. And there’s more music coming—I’ve already started recording my next single. Stay tuned!