Smith - Unholy (ft. Kim Petras) [ Perfectly Slowed & Reverb ]: Sam

: By reducing the speed, the heavy bass synths and 808s become more cavernous and menacing.

: Sam Smith has described the song as a way of "liberating oneself from the clutches of others' secrets". Why It Works : By reducing the speed, the heavy bass

The original track is celebrated for its unique music theory, specifically shifting between and C Phrigian dominant scales. This creates a natural dissonance often heard in Middle Eastern music or horror movie themes. This creates a natural dissonance often heard in

The "Slowed & Reverb" style—a subgenre rooted in hip-hop and vaporwave—is designed to evoke nostalgia and emotional depth. For "Unholy," this aesthetic leans into the "nightmare" or "ominous" quality of the track, making the chorus feel more like a ritual than a pop hook. The slowed-down pace forces the listener to sit

The slowed-down pace forces the listener to sit with the narrative of the song: