Sault
OriginUnited Kingdom
Genres
Years active2019 (2019)–present
LabelsForever Living Originals
Members
Websitesault.global

Sault (frequently stylised as SAULT) is a British music collective that make a mixture of R&B, urban contemporary gospel, house and disco. The project is helmed by songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Inflo, and consists of his protégés including vocalists Cleo Sol, Kid Sister, and Chronixx, as well as instrumentalists Kadeem Clarke, and Jack Peñate.[1] The group frequently foregrounds Black-centric issues.[2]

During its first three years, Sault released five studio albums including 5 (2019), 7 (2019), Untitled (Black Is) (2020), Untitled (Rise) (2020), and Nine (2021). Throughout 2022, after releasing the orchestral instrumental album Air, the collective surprise-released five subsequent studio albums, simultaneously. Following the first live performance in November 2023, Sault is due to perform on international live shows in 2024.[3]

Appearance

Despite critical acclaim, Sault eschew interaction with the media and feature an array of unnamed collaborators. Between their 2019 debut and late 2023, they had never played a live show, given an interview or released a music video in support of their music[4] and first teased a live performance in November 2023.[5]

History

2019: 5 and 7

On 15 February 2019, Sault released their debut track "We Are the Sun" via their record label Forever Living Originals; this was followed up by the collective on 15 March 2019 with "Don't Waste My Time".

In May 2019, Sault released their debut album entitled 5. The album cover art is a black background with matchsticks used to denote the number five. This design with the matchsticks and black background can be seen in all of their numerically titled releases, except for 11.

In September 2019, Sault returned with their second album entitled 7, again with widespread acclaim.

2020–2021: Untitled albums

Sault's albums in 2020, Untitled (Black Is), released in June, and Untitled (Rise), released in September, both received universal critical acclaim,[6][7] including a nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2021 for the latter.[8]

In June 2021, the band released their fifth studio album Nine,[9] initially available for 99 days.[10] The same year, the band were nominated at the MOBO Awards for Best R&B/Soul Act alongside vocalist and eventual winner Cleo Sol.

2022–present: surprise albums, and tour

In April 2022, Sault released their sixth studio album Air. The Guardian described it as a "total volte-face"[11] and Pitchfork described it as "a sharp pivot to lush contemporary classical".[12] In October that same year, the collective released a reggae-influenced EP 10, consisting of one ten-minute-long song "Angel."

In November 2022, the collective surprise-released five albums simultaneously as a free download via WeTransfer, writing: "Here are 5 albums released as an offering to God. Available for free download for five days. The password to unlock all 5 albums is in the message. Love SAULT X."[13] The five individual albums 11, AIIR, Earth, Today & Tomorrow, and Untitled (God), feature 56 tracks in total. Variety suggested this as "the largest amount of newly recorded music released by a relatively major artist at once."[14] In May 2023, 11 won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Album", with producer Inflo, vocalists Cleo Sol and Chronixx, and musician Jack Peñate as recipients of the award.[1]

In November 2023, the group announced their first live performance, teasing that they would play an unreleased album of material.[15] They later elaborated that they would play seven shows that featured live performances of music from different albums.[16] The tour was initiated on 14 December in London, and featured songs from an unreleased album Acts of Faith. Subsequent dates are to include international locations in 2024: New York City (5), London (Nine), Los Angeles (Black Is), Canada (Untitled Rise), Germany (11), Paris (Air), and Africa (Earth).[3]

A collaboration with André 3000 was also announced in early 2024.[17]

Members

The full line-up of Sault remains a mystery, with unconfirmed members cited as below.

At their first live performance, guests and members included Inflo, Cleo Sol, Michael Kiwanuka, and Little Simz.[19]

Discography

Sault discography
Studio albums11
EPs1
Singles3

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with relevant details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[20]		 UK
Indie
[21]		 US
Class.
Cross.
[22]		 US
Curr.
[23]
5 ––––
7
  • Released: 27 September 2019
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 ––––
Untitled (Black Is)
  • Released: 19 June 2020
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 –[upper-alpha 1]24–93
Untitled (Rise)
  • Released: 18 September 2020
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 –[upper-alpha 2]48––
Nine
  • Released: 25 June 2021
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 9912––
Air
  • Released: 13 April 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 –[upper-alpha 3]42–
11
  • Released: 1 November 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 ––––
Earth
  • Released: 1 November 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 ––––
Today & Tomorrow
  • Released: 1 November 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 ––––
Untitled (God)
  • Released: 1 November 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 ––––

Extended plays

List of EPs, with relevant details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
DL
[27]
X
  • Released: 10 October 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 59
Aiir
  • Released: 1 November 2022
  • Label: Forever Living Originals
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
MEX
Air.
[28]
"We Are the Sun" 2019 – 5
"Don't Waste My Time" –
"Let Me Go" 49

Notes

  1. ↑ Untitled (Black Is) did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 13 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[24]
  2. ↑ Untitled (Rise) did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 20 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[25]
  3. ↑ Air did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number two on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[26]

Awards and nominations

Accolades for Sault
Organization Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Ivor Novello Awards 2022 Best Album Nine Nominated [29]
2023 11 Won [30][31]
Best Song, Musically and Lyrically "Stronger" Nominated
Mercury Prize 2021 Album of the Year Untitled (Rise) Nominated [32]
MOBO Awards 2021 Best R&B/Soul Act Sault Nominated [33]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bugel, Safi (18 May 2023). "Wet Leg named songwriters of the year at Ivor Novello awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Aswad, Jem (18 September 2020). "Sault's Untitled (Rise) Seduces Listeners with Sumptuous R&B, Then Startles with Powerful Messaging". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 Porter, Flisadam (10 December 2023). "The Ever-So-Mysterious Sault Revealed Their Debut Live Show And Their Plans For 2024 With A Cryptic Teaser Video". Indie Mixtape. Uproxx. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (17 September 2020). "Sault: Untitled (Rise) Review – Mystery Collective Make Best Album of 2020, Again". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  5. ↑ Pilley, Max (25 November 2023). "Sault are teasing a London live show before the end of 2023". News > Music News. NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Untitled (Black Is) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
  7. ↑ "Untitled (Rise) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
  8. ↑ "2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' revealed..." mercuryprize.com. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Tallieu, Tallieu &. "Sault Nine by Sault". Music Mania Records – Rock & Grooves since 1969. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  10. ↑ Kelly, Amelia (26 May 2021). "SAULT Have Released Their New Album 'NINE'". mxdwnuk. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  11. ↑ Chick, Stevie (19 April 2022). "Sault: Air review – a daring act of creative rebirth pays off" (19 April 2022). The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Shy (21 April 2022). "SAULT: Air Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (1 November 2022). "Sault release five new albums available as a free download for five days". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  14. ↑ Aswad, Jem (1 November 2022). "British R&B Group Sault Releases Five Albums Simultaneously for Free Download 'as an Offering to God'". Variety. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  15. ↑ Pilley, Max (2 December 2023). "SAULT tease playing "new unreleased album" once only at upcoming London gig". News > Music News. NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  16. ↑ Chelosky, Danielle (9 December 2023). "SAULT Announce First Live Show And Tease World Tour". News. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ↑ Skinner, Tom (10 January 2024). "André 3000 and SAULT collab on the way". News > Music News. NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  18. ↑ Empire, Kitty (22 August 2021). "Cleo Sol: Mother review – intimate, spacious soul-jazz". The Observer. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  19. ↑ Chelosky, Danielle (14 December 2023). "Watch SAULT Play First-Ever Live Show In London". News. Stereogum. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  21. ↑ Peak positions:
  22. ↑ "Sault Chart History (Classical Crossover Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sault Chart History (Current Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "Sault Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  29. ↑ Smith, Carl (7 April 2022). "Ivor Novello Awards 2022: Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Inflo lead list of nominations". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  30. ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (19 April 2023). "Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Harry Styles lead 2023 Ivor Novello nominations". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  31. ↑ Garcia, Thania (18 May 2023). "Ivor Novello Awards 2023 Winners List: Wet Leg Named Songwriters of the Year, Raye's 'Escapism' Takes Center Stage". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  32. ↑ "Arlo Parks, Sault, Wolf Alice, More Shortlisted for 2021 Mercury Prize". Variety. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  33. ↑ "THE MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2021 NOMINEES". Mobo.com.
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