Romanian composer Allen Constantine’s Little Arguments is an album that fuses classical and electronic music to create hauntingly beautiful soundscapes.
Allen Constantine – Little Arguments
Educated in classical music at the University of Theatre and Arts in Bucharest, Constantine’s background in scoring for video games and films is apparent in the album’s grandiose cinematic scope. Drawing inspiration from contemporaries like Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ólafur Arnalds, and Max Richter, Constantine channels his influences while crafting a distinctly personal sound, blending acoustic strings, piano, synths, and electronic textures into a single cohesive force.
As the third Allen Constantine album I’ve reviewed for Right Chord Music, Little Arguments feels like his finest and most emotional work to date. It’s a beautiful exercise in mood creation and sombre reflection, moving through soundscapes that evoke melancholy and introspection but with palpable undertones of optimism.
The record opens with “Nostalgia,” setting a tone of quiet melancholy tinged with a hopeful undercurrent. Here, Constantine introduces us to a sonic world that feels both intimate and expansive, as if each note holds memories of better times. The track balances the sombreRo with the nostalgic, establishing a foundation for the remainder of the album.
In its haunting yet beautiful nature, Little Arguments is the perfect soundtrack for deep reflection and life-changing soul searching.
“Morning Overture” lifts the atmosphere, painting a sonic picture of sunrise with its lush strings and sweeping energy. This piece feels cinematic and almost uplifting, like the perfect soundtrack for a new and challenging beginning.
“When Words Fail, Music Speaks” is another standout, combining electronic textures with orchestral elements to create an immersive mood. There’s an undeniable richness in the way Constantine balances the organic with the synthetic, building an atmosphere that feels both meditative and deeply stirring.
The title track captures the album’s ethos with its use of electronic percussion and a driving sense of crescendo. The piano and keys punctuate the song, bringing a melodic accessibility that’s almost catchy—a rarity in modern instrumental music. This piece exemplifies Constantine’s ability to make the intricate feel effortless, delivering musical arguments that resonate without words.
Another notable track is “The Burden of Thoughts,” where Constantine’s string-layered piano sets a sombre tone. It’s a poignant exploration of introspection, capturing the raw and fluctuating emotions of being lost in thought. The track’s structure mirrors this journey, moving gracefully through phases of tension and release, and leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved contemplation.
With “Society’s Sonata,” Constantine delves into more intricate, possibly even darker tones, rounding out the album with a thoughtful exploration of collective experience.
Ultimately, Little Arguments stands as Constantine’s most mature work, a modern neoclassical achievement that merges classical and electronic elements with grace and intensity. The album feels like a conversation—a series of musical “arguments” where each piece presents a distinct perspective, inviting listeners to engage, reflect, and find their own stories within Constantine’s evocative sonic palettes.
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Words Fidel Beserra
