SONG REVIEW #1: Heaven Knows - 54 Ultra

Genre(s): Soul

Year Released: 2024

Language(s): English, Spanish

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My first impression of this song was that it was a classic soul ballad of the 70s. From a sound-focused standpoint, it really is typical of its genre and can fit right in with acts like The Spinners and Al Green. 

The lyrics weren’t anything extraordinary, as they were meant to be taken at face value. Same with the content; it was just a typical breakup song about yearning for an ex. These points aren't inherently bad, I just personally prefer ambiguous lyrics and topics other than love, so these weren't really my cup of tea.

I will say though that the song structure was particularly interesting to me, as the actual chorus only appeared once ⅔ into the song. While it wasn’t what I was used to, I wasn’t opposed to it – in fact, I think it made the chorus hit harder due to the prior buildup. 

I think the best part of the track was the language switch in the second verse, as it was a completely unexpected and exciting twist. Language switches can completely shift the vibe of an entire song, as the physical differences in sounds and cadence can change the rhythm and voice of the singer. This is what happened here – 54 Ultra’s voice became more sultry and soft the moment he changed language. This, combined with the drumset dropping out for a second, made this moment in the track ethereal. 

With all that being said, what really threw me for a loop was that it was released last year! Laying a foundation with the classic soul drum beat, layered background vocals, a honey-smooth voice, and a groovy bassline, 54 Ultra really captures the essence of a time many of us have only ever heard of through word-of-mouth. Yet, he does so in a way that doesn’t come across as simply a retelling, but as an experience. For 3 minutes, we are five decades in the past, living the sounds our parents and grandparents lived.

I hope that with 54 Ultra as well as acts such as Thee Sacred Souls and Tokyo Tea Room, we will see a revival of soul in the near future!

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OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10