Release date: September 15, 2023

Genre: R&B / Neo-Soul

From: UK

Label: Forever Living Originals

Why you should listen: Cleo Sol has been at the forefront of some of the most impactful and beautiful soul music over the last few years. Rose in the Dark and Mother will go down as classics within the genre in my opinion, with incredible and impactful storytelling, raw emotion and beauty within her music. Produced by Inflo, as with other releases, Heaven is a short but stunning body of work, with incredible production throughout that captures the beauty and aura of her artistry beautifully. The drumming and bassline on the opener “Self” is incredible and sets the tone for the rest of the project. Speaking on her own mental health, love and family amongst other things, the project is incredibly potent and powerful. “Heaven” is a standout, with incredibly groovy basslines and keys that are utterly mesmeric, as well as Cleo Sol’s emotive and angelic voice sounding exceptional. The groove on “Miss Romantic” is my favourite on the album, with an infectious drum-led rhythm that complements Cleo Sol’s stunning vocals. “Golden Child (Jealous)” and “Nothing on Me” are exceptional, with the latter track having an incredible bass-led groove to it that again, sounds utterly hypnotic. The stripped-back acoustic “Love Will Lead You There” closes the album out with a delicate, soft touch, Cleo Sol’s incredible vocals are warm and inviting. Heaven continues Cleo Sol’s streak of incredible albums that emote such passion, love and beauty. And as a producer, Inflo continues to deliver textured, varied and stunning soundscapes, with Heaven being as incredible as anything else he’s composed.

The album: