“it just feels like it's had the legs cut out of it by Sam's eternally unerotic voice... and of course by the constraints of Tik Tok pop.” YouTube · Todd in the Shadows · 3 years ago
The "Sped Up" version of Sam Smith and Kim Petras' "Unholy" is a high-energy remix that amplifies the original track’s nocturnal, hedonistic appeal. While the standard version is already a departure for Smith into dark electropop and metallic hyperpop, the sped-up rendition leans further into the "TikTok-core" aesthetic, making the grinding bass and choir chants feel more urgent and frantic. Musical Style & Production
“His new single, “unholy” is a radical departure... featuring a track with Arabic undertones that focuses on a husband and his unrepentant promiscuity against his wife.” Plugged In · 3 years ago Sam Smith - Unholy Sped Up (Lyrics) ft. Kim Petras
: Some critics find the lyrics "lackluster" or "shitty," arguing that they glorify cheating or feel "eternally unerotic" despite the song's attempt to be shocking. Critical Reception
: By increasing the BPM, the track transforms from a sultry cabaret-style stomp into a chaotic, club-ready anthem that became a viral sensation before its official release. Lyrical Analysis The lyrics tell a literal story of infidelity and adultery. “it just feels like it's had the legs
: It incorporates Gregorian-style choir vocals and an "oh-wee-oh" chant that some reviewers have noted as a nod to the winged monkeys in The Wizard of Oz .
: It centers on a husband and father who frequents The Body Shop —an infamous all-nude strip club on the Sunset Strip—while his wife ("Mummy") remains unaware at home. Musical Style & Production “His new single, “unholy”
Reviewers highlight the drastic shift in Smith's artistic direction, though the results are polarizing.