Unholy

Unholy's harmony is deceptively simple, relying on a small chord vocabulary rooted in C minor with a raised leading tone (major V). The production carries the harmonic weight, with layered synths and the signature bass riff creating textural richness far beyond what the basic chord changes suggest. The consistent minor tonality and the lack of any major-key relief reinforce the song's seductive, foreboding atmosphere from start to finish.

Sam Smith co-wrote 'Unholy' with Kim Petras and a powerhouse team of pop producers including Cirkut, Blake Slatkin, ILYA, Jimmy Napes, and Omer Fedi. The song emerged from Smith's desire to explore a darker, more provocative artistic direction for their fourth album Gloria. Smith previewed a snippet on TikTok before release, generating massive viral anticipation that translated directly into chart-topping debut numbers.

Sam Smith and Kim Petras joined forces on this provocative, bass-heavy track exploring a cheating partner's double life. 'Unholy' marked a bold stylistic reinvention for Smith, embracing a darker, sexually charged sound that topped charts worldwide and sparked intense cultural debate at the 2023 Grammys.