Cleo Sol - Mother

Cleo Sol transforms her personal experiences into sonic architecture on Mother. This studio album, released on August 20, 2021 through the Forever Living Originals label, features twelve tracks totaling approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes. Released more than a year after Rose in the Dark (2020), it reflects a personal transition marked by the birth of the artist's child.

Mother: a disc mirroring a new maternal identity

The title directly follows the birth of Cleo Sol's child, grounding the project in a tangible reality. The album explores introspective themes related to motherhood and the role of a mother, far from being a simple declaration of intent, but a deeply connected recording of this life experience. This intimate dimension permeates every minute of the album, oscillating between raw vulnerability and the physical grounding necessary for the maternal figure. The structure of the album, spread over twelve tracks totaling 1 hour and 6 minutes, allows for the exploration of these themes from multiple angles without falling into superficial melodrama.

Production by Inflo: a neo-soul alchemy for 12 intimate tracks

Inflo is credited as the producer, composer, and frequent collaborator with Cleo Sol on the entire project. Associated with the musical collective Sault, his work offers a production firmly rooted in the Smooth Soul and Neo-Soul genres. He creates a consistent sonic universe where Cleo Sol's compositions are paired with refined arrangements. Tom Archer is credited as an assistant producer, while Ben Baptie handles the mixing and Guy Davie the mastering. This technical team works to refine raw material, resulting in a clean and dense album.

Don't Let Me Fall / Spirit: the opening and closing tracks of the album

The tracklist opens with Don't Let Me Fall as the first track, setting the tone for the entire album before any melody even emerges. The album closes with Spirit, serving as an epilogue to this 12-track exploration. These two pieces frame the album and define its sonic boundaries. Between these extremes, the musical journey offers a narrative coherence, with each transition respecting the atmosphere established by the production signed by Inflo. Cleo Sol is credited for the composition, lead vocals, and backing vocals. On Mother, the singer works alone on these key creative aspects. This solitary approach strengthens the intimacy of the piece, leaving ample space for the expression of her own experiences and doubts.

Critical acclaim: Ranked #103 on the 2021 album charts and nominated for an Ivor Novello Award

Furthermore, Mother was nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award in April 2022, further validating its artistic quality beyond commercial success. These accolades demonstrate that the album left a lasting impression long after its release in August.

Studio trajectory: Between Rose in the Dark (2020) and Heaven (2023)

This album fits into the Smooth Soul and Neo-Soul genres, which define the overall aesthetic. Critics have praised its ability to unfold slowly, revealing its brilliance with each listen. Mojo magazine compared it to Stevie Wonder from the 1970s, while AllMusic gave it an exceptional rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. International press also recognized its excellence: NPR Music ranked it as one of the best albums of the year, and Pitchfork particularly admired the nuance of the title "23," which was considered one of the most accomplished tracks on the album for its ability to explore the theme of parental responsibility. In parallel, The Observer highlighted the album's reflections on formative memories and calls to faith that run through the artist's delicate tone. This critical success was further confirmed by a prestigious nomination for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award in April 2022. The album has left a lasting impression long after its release, validating the artistic and technical quality of a project structured by Inflo and carried by a singer who perfectly masters her art, transforming a personal experience into a major work. This project consolidates a trajectory that began with Rose in the Dark (2020) and finds its natural continuation with Heaven (2023). Between these two recordings, Mother occupies a central position in the artist's evolution. It marks a stage of maturity where Cleo Sol's voice gains new depth through lived experience. The album does not break with its history but confirms that her voice is capable of handling complex themes with accuracy.

Technical specifications

- Release date: August 20, 2021 - Label: Forever Living Originals - Tracks: 12 (1 hour 6 minutes) - Opening / closing: Don't Let Me Fall / Spirit - Previous album: Rose in the Dark (2020)