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 includes 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]
Sault | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Labels | Forever Living Originals |
| Members |
|
| Website | sault |
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 their first live performance in November 2023, Sault is due to perform on international live shows in 2024.[3]
History edit
2019: 5 and 7 edit
On 15 February 2019, Sault released their debut track "We Are the Sun" via their record label Forever Living Originals; this was followed in March 2019 by "Don't Waste My Time".
In May 2019, Sault released their debut album, 5. In September 2019, Sault released their second album, 7.
2020–2021: Untitled albums edit
Sault's albums in 2020, Untitled (Black Is), released in June, and Untitled (Rise), released in September, both received universal critical acclaim,[4][5] including a nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2021 for the latter.[6]
In June 2021, the band released their fifth studio album Nine.[7] 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[8] and first teased a live performance in November 2023.[9]
2022–present: surprise albums, and tour edit
In April 2022, Sault released their sixth studio album Air. The Guardian described it as a "total volte-face"[10] and Pitchfork described it as "a sharp pivot to lush contemporary classical".[11] 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."[12] 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."[13] 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.[14] They later elaborated that they would play seven shows that featured live performances of music from different albums.[15] 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.[16]
Members edit
- Inflo – piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, vocals, production, engineering
- Cleo Sol – lead vocals[17]
- Kid Sister – lead vocals
- Chronixx – lead vocals[1]
- Jack Peñate – instrumentation[1]
At their first live performance, guests and members included Inflo, Cleo Sol, Michael Kiwanuka, and Little Simz.[18]
Discography edit
| Sault discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 11 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Singles | 3 |
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [19] |
UK Indie [20] |
US Class. Cross. [21] |
US Curr. [22] | ||
| 5 |
|
– | – | – | – |
| 7 |
|
– | – | – | – |
| Untitled (Black Is) |
|
–[A] | 24 | – | 93 |
| Untitled (Rise) |
|
–[B] | 48 | – | – |
| Nine |
|
99 | 12 | – | – |
| Air |
|
–[C] | 4 | 2 | – |
| 11 |
|
– | – | – | – |
| Earth |
|
– | – | – | – |
| Today & Tomorrow |
|
– | – | – | – |
| Untitled (God) |
|
– | – | – | – |
Extended plays edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK DL [26] | ||
| X |
|
59 |
| Aiir |
|
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX Air. [27] | |||
| "We Are the Sun" | 2019 | – | 5 |
| "Don't Waste My Time" | – | ||
| "Let Me Go" | 49 |
Notes edit
- ^ Untitled (Black Is) did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 13 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[23]
- ^ Untitled (Rise) did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 20 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[24]
- ^ Air did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number two on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[25]
Awards and nominations edit
| Organization | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brit Awards | 2024 | Best R&B Act | Sault | Nominated | [28] |
| MOBO Awards | 2023 | Best R&B/Soul Act | Sault | Won | [29] |
| Ivor Novello Awards | 2022 | Best Album | Nine | Nominated | [30] |
| 2023 | 11 | Won | [31][32] | ||
| Best Song, Musically and Lyrically | "Stronger" | Nominated | |||
| Mercury Prize | 2021 | Album of the Year | Untitled (Rise) | Nominated | [33] |
| MOBO Awards | 2021 | Best R&B/Soul Act | Sault | Nominated | [34] |
References edit
- ^ a b c d Bugel, Safi (18 May 2023). "Wet Leg named songwriters of the year at Ivor Novello awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Untitled (Black Is) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
- ^ "Untitled (Rise) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
- ^ "2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' revealed..." mercuryprize.com. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Kelly, Amelia (26 May 2021). "SAULT Have Released Their New Album 'NINE'". mxdwnuk. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (17 September 2020). "Sault: Untitled (Rise) Review – Mystery Collective Make Best Album of 2020, Again". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thompson, Shy (21 April 2022). "SAULT: Air Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (9 December 2023). "SAULT Announce First Live Show And Tease World Tour". News. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (10 January 2024). "André 3000 and SAULT collab on the way". News > Music News. NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Empire, Kitty (22 August 2021). "Cleo Sol: Mother review – intimate, spacious soul-jazz". The Observer. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (14 December 2023). "Watch SAULT Play First-Ever Live Show In London". News. Stereogum. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Peak positions:
- For Untitled (Black Is): "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- For Untitled (Rise): "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- For Nine: "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- For Air: "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Sault Chart History (Classical Crossover Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Sault Chart History (Current Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Sault Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Brit Awards 2024: The complete list of winners and nominees". BBC News. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Mobo Awards: Central Cee and Raye named best male and female acts". BBC News. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dunworth, Liberty (19 April 2023). "Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Harry Styles lead 2023 Ivor Novello nominations". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Arlo Parks, Sault, Wolf Alice, More Shortlisted for 2021 Mercury Prize". Variety. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
- ^ "THE MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2021 NOMINEES". Mobo.com.
External links edit
- Official website
- Pass the Sault by Elías Villoro for BoingBoing (1 December 2022)
