Cleo Sol “Gold” Album Review

Gold

Cleo Sol

• Genre: R&B/Soul
• Date: 29 Sep, 2023
• Content: Not-explicit
• Track(s): 10
• ℗ 2023 Forever Living Originals

Cleo Sol’s fourth album, “Gold,” arrives just two weeks after her third album, Heaven. You may be wondering why this has occurred, considering the industry’s conventional “write-release-tour” paradigm. The simple explanation appears to be, “because they can.” With Sol and her life and music partner, Inflo, as the main members of SAULT, their approach appears to be in service to the music rather than the industry’s expectations or demands.

The record functions as a soothing salve from a contented soul, and the music complements the textual substance nicely. The last album’s basic accompaniments continue and narrow here, with relatively low-key combinations that let Sol’s voice to shine once more. It frequently sounds like a jazz trio (with a dash of funk) with occasional embellishments of other things.

Album Cover Art

Cleo seems to have had one of those therapeutic swims, as she is captured emerging from the pool with her eyes closed and both hands on her head.

Tracks and Features

In “There Will Be No Crying,” Sol sings over stripped-down sound, begins with a pledge of self-acceptance and patience. This calm start establishes the album’s theme: a spiritual journey filled with hope and heart. On this album, she is as candid as ever, particularly about her beliefs. “Reason” has her singing, “There’s got to be more believers.” This song is a must-hear for everyone who feels lost or lacks faith.

This is wonderfully followed by “Things Will Get Better,” a classic Cleo Sol single with soothing words over a slow-tempo soulful beat. Furthermore, she emits a maternal aspect, as her voice is homely and heartfelt. The song “Only Love Can Wait” highlights Sol’s undisputed vocal prowess with a refrain that is repeated again but never becomes monotonous.

With the song “Please Don’t End It All,” the project then adopts a very sorrowful theme. This album will surely speak to listeners going through difficult situations since music has the power to heal. The necessity for Cleo Sol in the music business is clearly demonstrated by this song. She is all heart, but another singer singing “You’re not alone” could not feel as genuine. It is audibly present as well.

Compared to earlier songs, “Lost Angel” is happier; an electric guitar provides a funky groove while choir harmonies serve as an enticing hook. Furthermore, Sol is influenced by gospel, as evidenced by her virtually yelling the lyrics near the end of the song.

“In Your Own Home” lets her build a picture of her family and growth as a new mother. Cleo Sol does what she does best: drops gems over smooth production. This is evermore demonstrated in the next radio-friendly record “Life Will Be.” The mastermind producer behind this entire body of work is SAULT bandmate and partner Inflo, as the duo further exhibits their musical synergy.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	There Will Be No Crying	3:49
2	Reason	4:00
3	Things Will Get Better	3:29
4	Only Love Can Wait	3:24
5	Please Don’t End It All	4:25
6	Lost Angel	5:54
7	Desire	4:53
8	In Your Own Home	4:08
9	Life Will Be	3:18
10	Gold	4:39

Album Theme

While “Heaven” seemed like a self-help tool, “Gold” acts as a backbone in the form of faith. However, unlike some others, it is not exclusive or religiously motivated. Instead of dogma and doctrine, it promotes inclusivity and spirituality.

“Gold” is dominated by thoughts of another higher power as well. God has always played a role in both Sol’s solo work and SAULT’s, so it’s no surprise that the record is dedicated to the deity in significant part.

Production Credits

Inflo singlehandedly produced the album.

Stream