“This is one of those songs that makes your skin crawl as you listen to the celebratory tone used to praise a man for lying to his wife.” Plugged In
The viral TikTok compilations for Sam Smith and Kim Petras's hit "Unholy" center on the song's seductive, bass-heavy chorus and its dark narrative of infidelity. The "Body Shop" mentioned in the lyrics ("Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot at the body shop") is a direct reference to a famous historic , rather than a car repair shop or the beauty retailer. Compilation and Song Analysis
: Critics describe the track as a radical departure for Smith, moving away from soulful ballads into a "villain era" marked by "grinding" basslines, Middle Eastern chord progressions, and an eerie cathedral-like choir effect. “This is one of those songs that makes
“I think the problem was the long wait, by the time it was released everyone was fed up w/it thus more criticism towards the song instead of excitement.” TikTok · jarred jermaine · 3 years ago Notable Landmarks & Performers
“The cell phone audio makes it feel like you're outside a weird club, listening in. Released version is too clean.” TikTok · jarred jermaine · 3 years ago “I think the problem was the long wait,
Reviews of the TikTok phenomenon highlight a "masterclass in fusing emotion with musical storytelling". The song’s massive success—amassing over 600 million TikTok views by October 2022—is attributed to Smith's "genius marketing strategy" of teasing snippets long before the official release.
Community feedback ranges from high praise for the song’s catchiness to sharp criticism of its lyrical themes. “I love it.. Unholy is the best song of 2022.” TikTok · cbcgem · 3 years ago Community feedback ranges from high praise for the
: Compilations typically feature high-energy dance challenges, notably the viral routine by 21-year-old dancer Kevin Bannier, along with "thirst traps," dramatic outfit transitions, and makeup transformations.