Day 28: Rose in the Dark- Cleo Sol
She makes it sound so easy
Note: This post is part of a series where I listen to an album each day in December. Past posts can be found on my substack. All hyperlinked songs go to Spotify links, Youtube links can be found at the end of the post.
My life has felt less than exciting lately, and that’s a gentle way of putting it. Days have been confusing and sometimes meaningless. That’s a vulnerable statement to make on the internet, especially as my small group of readers starts to expand past the friends and family who know me, but I welcome this vulnerability. Cleo Sol’s 2020 release Rose in the Dark showcases her vulnerability and thus encourages mine here.
When I started my Album a Day journey, the goal was to help rekindle my relationship with music, start a public writing practice, give myself something to do daily, and encourage a vulnerable authentic offering on music. I would say I’ve been mostly successful, and I do plan to reflect on the entire month at the beginning of January, but for now, I want to hang on to the vulnerability of this exercise and how it parallels the act of creating music and in particular today’s album by Cleo Sol.
Rose in the Dark was released in March of 2020, a time most of us remember as incredibly difficult. Few things could bring comfort or joy as we all processed a pandemic. My desire to return to this album today comes from a similar sense of discomfort. When life feels difficult to process Cleo Sol’s vocals and lyrics are a safe haven. This album was her first full-length studio project produced alongside Inflo. The English duo created an intimate stripped-back album with clear influence from the 90s Soulquarians. Simple instrumentation and tight harmonies give the record a natural feeling, something that could be easily duplicated in a live setting. I’m drawn to this natural sound and see it as a symbol of when it was released and the atmosphere it creates 3 years later. Sol doesn’t need more than her own vocal and musical abilities to create an ethereal collection of music that is a welcomed beacon in an onslaught of over-produced synthetic sounds.
Lyrically, Sol shares her faith and encourages others to find theirs. Across all 11 tracks, she pens vulnerable lyrics that are so authentic they continue to resonate with listeners globally. I feel a similar sense of bravery when I sit to write these reflections, especially since they aren’t the traditional review style of writing. I like to think I’m taking a leap with her, and any other artist I write about. By acknowledging their bravery and openness when creating an album, I feel it’s only fair to have an ounce of that confidence when sharing my opinion. “Young Love,” a song that feels like a cross between Erykah Badu’s sound and the stylings of Jamaican vocal groups like The Paragons, addresses value, the rush to achieve, and emotional openness for women vocalizing,
Dance sister
Smile sister
Laugh sister
Cry sister
You're a prize sister
Don't hide sister
Show them why sister
Little young, girl, don't you cry
I know you're wise, but you've been fooled a few times
Feeling trapped 'cause you lost yourself
So you try to protect your heart
I know you wanna be someone
(Be someone, be someone)
You need something more
(Something more, something more)
'Cause you're trying to see yourself
(See yourself, see yourself)
Live the life you want
Young love, don't ever waste your life
I see that you're searching for peace of mind
(Peace of mind)
Young love, I want you to value your light
I see that you're searching for peace of mind
(Peace of mind)
Personally, these lyrics hit home as I navigate what’s next after graduating from university. Still, for a larger audience, the reassuring nature and open dialogue about personal growth on this album are comforting. Sol’s open lyrical reflection on challenges coupled with the groove-forward nature of the album makes it a perfect listen when you want to feel seen in your feelings but not wallow in sheer sadness.
If you’re looking for something to center yourself or comfort you in these constantly turbulent times, I recommend giving this record a listen. I listened to it three times today, I know that it will remain in rotation moving forward. It is effortlessly beautiful and a thoughtful offering to listeners that helped make Sol’s mark on UK music after a 5-year hiatus.
My favorite tracks are
Until Tomorrow,
Emily
Listen to Rose in the Dark on YouTube