One model for “God Said No” might be Frank Ocean’s 2016 “Blonde,” another heartbreaking album full of vulnerability. Apollo's lead tenor often resembles Ocean's voice. On “God Said No,” the guitars and keyboards are tampy and reticent. There's a drum beat, but it's not oppressive. Even when the production deploys strings, horns, or Apollo's own backing vocal harmonies, it's subdued and distant, more ghostly than augmented.
A partial exception is “Less of You”. The song is a metronome synth-pop track reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder (with some Daft Punk-style filtered, harmonized vocals). Apollo wondered, “Was last night the end for me and you?” ?” Despite the jarring hook and major-key transition, Apollo sounds increasingly lonely and forlorn.
The album has a loose narrative. The song traces growing friction that leads to estrangement, testing new partners, and finally reconciliation or a fond farewell. On the album's opener, “Be Careful With Me,” Apollo sings over acoustic guitar picking that suggests Elliott Smith, “I tried to be the one you like/But that's too much compromise.” A few songs later he claims he's “Done With You,” with a chorus repeating the phrase 16 times.
Clearly, he doesn't. “I can't let go. I have to let go,” he groans on “Drifting.” On “Life Is Unfair,” he admits to having an affair while they were separated, but claims, “I was looking at you when I kissed him,” adding, “I would have married you.”
Apollo has given nods to Mexican music on past albums and EPs, but only one song, “God Said No,” has lyrics in Spanish. “Empty” is a supernatural waltz placed in the middle of the album. The refrain clearly states, “You left me empty/empty and empty.” The second verse switches to Spanish, where Apollo confesses that he can't stop thinking about his ex, and sings in Spanish, “I'm singing in another language so you don't understand me / I don't want you to know” I would like to add: “How much it hurts.” He is missing but trying to keep his guard up.