Cleo Sol HHV Records 8 Items

Cleo Sol - Rose in the Dark is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol, released on March 27, 2020. The album was produced by Inflo, who is also a key figure in the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark established Cleo Sol as a powerful voice in neo-soul and modern R&B, offering a soothing and reflective collection of songs that explore themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience.

The album blends soul, R&B, jazz, and folk influences, marked by warm, organic instrumentation with a retro feel, featuring lush strings, gentle piano, and smooth rhythms. Cleo Sol's voice is central to the album's sound, with its soft, emotional delivery giving the tracks an intimate and reflective tone.

Lyrically, Rose in the Dark centers on themes of love, personal growth, self-worth, and healing. The songs are largely introspective, with Cleo Sol reflecting on relationships and personal challenges, often with a focus on finding inner strength. There’s a sense of vulnerability and emotional honesty throughout the album, which resonates deeply with listeners.

Key Tracks:
"Rose in the Dark" – The title track, a soulful and introspective song about navigating love and finding inner peace.
"Why Don’t You" – A standout track that combines a classic soul sound with a modern twist, addressing themes of self-worth and being true to oneself.
"When I’m in Your Arms" – A tender, love-infused track that showcases Cleo Sol’s ability to capture the warmth and comfort of love through her soulful voice and minimalist production.
"Her Light" – A reflective track about empowerment and self-awareness, encouraging self-love and growth.
Critical Reception: Rose in the Dark was met with widespread acclaim from critics who praised Cleo Sol's soothing voice, the album's timeless sound, and the introspective lyricism. Many noted the calming and healing quality of the album, especially during its release in 2020, a year marked by uncertainty and upheaval. The minimalist production allowed Cleo Sol's vocals and lyrical content to shine, making the album a standout in contemporary soul music.

The album was produced by Inflo, who has been instrumental in shaping the sound of both Cleo Sol’s solo work and the output of the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark shares the same organic, soulful production style found in Sault’s albums, though it feels more intimate and personal due to its focus on Cleo Sol's own journey.

Rose in the Dark has been hailed as a modern soul classic, with its focus on healing, love, and emotional clarity resonating with a wide audience. It’s a highly personal work that highlights Cleo Sol’s talent not only as a vocalist but also as a thoughtful and introspective songwriter.

This album set the stage for her later work, including Mother (2021), where she continued exploring deeply personal and emotional themes

"Gold" is the fourth studio album by British soul singer Cleo Sol, released on September 29, 2023, through Forever Living Originals. This release came just two weeks after her previous album, "Heaven," both announced shortly before their respective release dates. The album comprises ten tracks, all produced by Inflo, Cleo Sol's frequent collaborator and husband.

Critics have praised "Gold" for its soulful and uplifting compositions. Clash Music rated the album 9 out of 10, noting that while "Heaven" felt like a mood piece, "Gold" is more defined, with more evident strengths.

Variety compared both "Heaven" and "Gold" to the works of 1970s Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu, describing them as "serene R&B outings."

The album has been recognized in several year-end lists. The Economist included it among the best albums of 2023, highlighting its variety. Complex UK ranked it as the fourth-best album of 2023, and Billboard placed it eighth among the best R&B albums of the year. Cleo Sol, born Cleopatra Nikolic, is known for her soulful music and collaborations with the music collective Sault. She has released multiple solo albums, with "Gold" being her latest offering.

Cleo Sol - Mother is the second studio album by British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol, released on August 20, 2021. The album is deeply personal, with themes centered around motherhood, family, healing, and self-discovery. As part of the Sault collective, Cleo Sol had already established herself as a key figure in the neo-soul and R&B world, but Mother showcases her vulnerability and emotional depth in a more intimate, reflective setting.

The album blends elements of soul, jazz, R&B, and folk, creating a serene, acoustic soundscape that complements its introspective lyrics. Mother features lush, soulful arrangements, with gentle strings, piano, and acoustic guitar forming the backbone of many tracks. The overall sound is calming and meditative, allowing Sol's vocals to take center stage.

Lyrically, the album reflects on Cleo Sol's experience with motherhood and the emotional changes it brings. She addresses themes of unconditional love, personal growth, and the challenges of raising a child while also navigating her own self-healing. Songs like "Don’t Let It Go to Your Head" and "We Need You" express a sense of nurturing and tenderness, while "Promises" speaks to the weight of responsibility and the desire to protect loved ones.

Key Tracks:
"Don’t Let It Go to Your Head" – A standout track that offers both encouragement and advice, encapsulating the nurturing spirit of the album.
"We Need You" – A deeply emotional song that explores themes of connection, support, and the importance of being present for those you love.
"Build Me Up" – A soulful ballad that speaks to vulnerability and the need for support and growth within a relationship.
Critical Reception: Mother received widespread acclaim for its emotional honesty and soothing production. Critics praised Cleo Sol for her vocal performance and the way she was able to capture the complexity of motherhood and personal transformation. The album’s stripped-down production was also commended for allowing her voice and storytelling to shine.

While Mother is a personal solo project, it is clear that Cleo Sol’s work with Sault influences its sound, especially in terms of the introspective lyricism and the use of minimalist, organic instrumentation. Producer Inflo, who has worked extensively with Sault, was also heavily involved in the production of Mother, contributing to its cohesive and intimate sound.

Overall, Mother is a deeply personal and emotionally rich album that solidifies Cleo Sol's place as a standout voice in contemporary soul and R&B

Cleo Sol - Heaven, released on September 15, 2023, is Cleo Sol’s third studio album, following Rose in the Dark (2020) and Mother (2021). This album continues her exploration of personal and spiritual themes, but with a more intimate and meditative focus. Heaven addresses topics like self-love, healing, and relationships, and its minimalist production highlights Cleo Sol’s soft, soothing voice. The album's ethereal, spiritual tone is evident in tracks like "Self" and the title track "Heaven," where Cleo offers reflections on personal growth and finding peace.

Musically, Heaven incorporates elements of soul, R&B, and gospel, but is characterized by its stripped-back instrumentation. It features warm, atmospheric grooves with subtle piano and bass arrangements, allowing her lyrics to stand out. The album’s short duration (30 minutes) contributes to its concentrated emotional impact, creating a tranquil, introspective listening experience.

One of the standout tracks, "Old Friends," touches on themes of betrayal and severed relationships, while "Golden Child (Jealous)" showcases Cleo’s ability to blend classic R&B with a contemporary sound. The album has been praised for its simplicity and the emotional depth Cleo brings to each song, making it a reflective piece on personal and communal healing.

Critics noted that Heaven feels like a natural continuation of the themes she explored in Mother, but with even greater focus on internal peace and self-affirmation

Cleo Sol is known for her contribution to the albums of Sault.

Issued in a Digipak.

"Gold" is the fourth studio album by British soul singer Cleo Sol, released on September 29, 2023, through Forever Living Originals. This release came just two weeks after her previous album, "Heaven," both announced shortly before their respective release dates. The album comprises ten tracks, all produced by Inflo, Cleo Sol's frequent collaborator and husband.

Critics have praised "Gold" for its soulful and uplifting compositions. Clash Music rated the album 9 out of 10, noting that while "Heaven" felt like a mood piece, "Gold" is more defined, with more evident strengths.

Variety compared both "Heaven" and "Gold" to the works of 1970s Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu, describing them as "serene R&B outings."

The album has been recognized in several year-end lists. The Economist included it among the best albums of 2023, highlighting its variety. Complex UK ranked it as the fourth-best album of 2023, and Billboard placed it eighth among the best R&B albums of the year. Cleo Sol, born Cleopatra Nikolic, is known for her soulful music and collaborations with the music collective Sault. She has released multiple solo albums, with "Gold" being her latest offering.