Mother, Cleo Sol (2021)

The intimate pairing of the piano and drums drives Cleo Sol’s latest album into proper Soul territory. Other acoustic instruments layer on top to expand the music in surprising ways, and every now and then, the harp twinkles throughout—like fairy dust.

• (piano + drums) + guitar → jazz

• (piano + drums) + background vocals → gospel

• (piano + drums) + bongos + strings → tango?

• (piano + drums) + brass + chimes + strings → symphony!

The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but selectively chosen. At times, they feel rhythmic, as if following behind production. Without diving into the ways I’ve personally felt moved by this album, I will say that it got me through my first NY winter and taught me how to be alone.

Notes/Musings:

• Time Stamps

  • Music (3:36)

  • Don’t Let It Go to Your Head (1:51)

  • 23 (2:31)

  • One Day (3:43)

• Cleo’s full name is Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic

Supplementary Material

Other favorites:

It’s hard to keep your voice a secret when it’s good: