Cleo Sol Proves That Heaven Is Gold
Cleo Sol Proves That Heaven Is Gold
Cleo Sol released bodies of work that sound like healing music in two weeks.
Cleo Sol chose her moniker to reflect the warmth and radiance of the sun. As a key vocalist for the mysterious group SAULT, she lends her voice to a unique blend of experimental R&B, funk, and disco-tinged music that delves into the intricacies of the Black experience. In recent years, Sol has also graced the music scene with her soulful albums, channeling the spirit of Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu.
Her songs, filled with an uplifting sense of optimism, encourage listeners to chase their dreams, find redemption in love, and pursue a higher calling. Sol’s music is as radiant as a blossoming peony and as tender as softened butter. Her two projects, Heaven and Gold, delve deeper into her recurrent themes of faith and self-love, showcasing her growing ease and confidence.
Sol and SAULT are both signed to the independent label, Forever Living Originals (FLO), overseen by producer Inflo, also known as Dean Josiah Cover. Inflo’s impressive production portfolio boasts of Mercurys, Mobos, Ivor Novellos, and Brits, either as personal accolades or won by his clients. Renowned artists like Michael Kiwanuka and Little Simz have both created award-winning records with Inflo and have made appearances on SAULT’s tracks. Sol herself has lent her voice to Little Simz’s tracks such as “Woman.” Her 2021 album, Mother, features piano-driven Soul arrangements that provide a spacious backdrop for Sol’s storytelling to shine.
With Heaven, it’s a vibrant canvas of sound, blending rich bass and synth elements with her unique vocal style. Her voice, a beautiful falsetto, drifts effortlessly over the production, reminiscent of fog meandering over a snow-capped mountain range. In “Go Baby,” she transforms the titular phrase into a serene meditation, her voice accompanied by a gentle piano and soothing backing vocals. In “Nothing On Me,” Sol’s voice dances within a lively bossa nova rhythm, adding a subtle texture to the groove.
Sol’s music is a celebration of inner joy, a radiant energy she generously shares with her listeners. Following the birth of her child, her album Mother was a compassionate exploration of her relationship with her mother, acknowledging past hurts while also recognizing her mother’s humanity. This sense of compassionate understanding is also present in Heaven. In “Miss Romantic,” Sol addresses a friend—or perhaps herself—urging her to stop tolerating a disrespectful man. Despite the man’s flaws, Sol concludes the song with heartfelt affirmations, highlighting her deep affection for the person she’s advising.
Heaven is filled with transcendent moments. Sol’s ability to transition between various emotional states—gratitude, tranquility, longing—within a single vocal run is truly captivating. This is especially evident in the album’s standout title track, “Heaven.” Her voice transitions from a celestial falsetto to a rich, warm vibrato, reminiscent of red wine pouring from a decanter. The song creates an immersive atmosphere, with notes lingering in the air long after the music has stopped, their beauty resonating like the warmth of the sun on your skin after a summer’s day.
Two weeks later, she graced us with her second album in just two weeks, titled Gold. If Heaven was a mesmerizing mood piece, Gold is a more defined and meticulously crafted album, showcasing Sol’s strengths in a more evident manner. It goes without saying that everything Cleo Sol releases is exceptional, but some projects truly stand out above the rest, and Gold is vying for a top spot in her illustrious discography.
In the track “There Will Be No Crying,” Sol delivers a breathless plea for hope, infusing gospel elements that uplift and inspire optimism. “Reason” enchants with its subtle reggae influences, as the smooth bass and gentle rhythm pay homage to the rich tradition of Black Caribbean soul music.
It's clear that her bond with the divine is not just deep-rooted but also integral to her very existence. This spiritual connection influences her every action and the way she loves. Over time, her music reflects this spiritual journey, with each new release leaning more towards the gospel genre.
With “Things Will Get Better,” her voice merges seamlessly with the album's opulent, panoramic arrangements. In stark contrast, “Only Love Can Wait” takes a minimalist approach, offering an overwhelmingly intimate experience with nothing more than voice and piano. “Life Will Be” is anchored around a captivating bass line, with the entire arrangement focused on its creative flexibility. Cleo Sol's lyrics, both raw and delicate, inspire others with lines like:
“I can see the sadness in your eyes
I can see the magic in your life…”
“Please Don’t End It All” sends a desperate plea from the edge of despair, a lyrical poem teetering on the precipice. On the other hand, the otherworldly “Lost Angel” submerges you in a comforting sonic bath, its gentle waves nudging you deeper into the soothing depths. With its sharp guitar cuts and creative percussive beats, “Desire” carries the vintage charm of a Curtis Mayfield production while simultaneously embodying the vibrant energy that Cleo Sol brings to all her projects.
Culminating with the deeply engaging title track, Gold is an album that dares to be hopeful in a world that seems to be shrouded in darkness. It is a celebration of soulful bliss as a form of defiance, a cycle of songs that bask in the subtle power of connection.
Amidst a discography filled with towering peaks, Gold reaches for the heavens.