Sault (band)

Sault
OriginEngland
Genres
Years active2019 (2019)–present
LabelForever Living Originals
Members
Websitesault.global

Sault are a British music group that make a mixture of R&B, urban contemporary gospel, house and disco. The project is helmed by producer Inflo and lead vocalist and songwriter Cleo Sol. The group operates as a mostly anonymous collective, with many of its collaborators remaining a mystery.[1] Known collaborators have included Kid Sister, Chronixx,[2] Jack Peñate, Little Simz and Michael Kiwanuka. The group frequently puts Black-centric issues at the foreground.[3]

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. The band has released thirteen studio albums to date, with their most recent, Chapter 1, released on January 9, 2026.

The collective have performed live on two occasions, with their debut performance at Drumsheds, London receiving widespread critical acclaim in December 2023.[4] Their second performance – a five-hour headline set at All Points East festival in 2025 – received mixed reviews.[5][6]

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 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

Sault's albums in 2020, Untitled (Black Is), released in June, and Untitled (Rise), released in September, both received universal critical acclaim,[7][8] including a nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2021 for the latter.[9]

In June 2021, the band released their fifth studio album Nine.[10] 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[11] and first teased a live performance in November 2023.[12]

2022–2024: Surprise albums, debut performance and cancelled tour

In April 2022, Sault released their sixth studio album Air. The Guardian described it as a "total volte-face"[13] and Pitchfork described it as "a sharp pivot to lush contemporary classical".[14] 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."[15] 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."[16] 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.[2]

In November 2023, the group announced their first live performance, teasing that they would play an unreleased material.[17] Later it was clarified that a series of seven live performances, each with music from a different album. On 14 December in London, the group performed songs from a forthcoming album Acts of Faith.[18] Subsequent 2024 dates were announced in international locations: New York City (with music from 5), London (Nine), Los Angeles (Black Is), Canada (Untitled Rise), Germany (11), Paris (Air), and Africa (Earth).[19] These performances, however, never took place.

In early 2024, a collaboration with André 3000 was announced.[20] In July 2024, Acts of Faith was released online for free as a continuous single .WAV track, and on 25 December, the album was released on streaming platforms, followed by vinyl in April 2025.[21][22]

2025–present: Headlining All Points East and Chapter 1

On August 15, 2025, Sault headlined All Points East festival at Victoria Park, London, marking their second ever live performance following their cancelled 2024 tour.[6] The performance lasted five hours, with appearances from Cleo Sol, Chronixx and Yasiin Bey.[6]

In January 2026, another unannounced album was released. Chapter 1, produced by Inflo, features Cleo Sol and Jack Peñate, and notably collaborations with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[23][24] Upon the album's release, the collective noted that the album "moves with patience and belief. Rhythm, breath, and silence sit side by side, creating a space that is reflective yet charged. There is warmth and expectation. A sense that something is gathering."[23]

Members

Core members

  • Inflo – piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, vocals, production, engineering
  • Cleo Sol – lead vocals[25]

Known collaborators

Former collaborators

Discography

Awards and nominations

Accolades for Sault
Organization Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Brit Awards 2024 Best R&B Act Sault Nominated [27]
2026 Won [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]

Notes

References

  1. ^ Rowley, Glenn (15 April 2022). "5 Things to Know About The Mysterious UK Collective SAULT". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b Bugel, Safi (18 May 2023). "Wet Leg named songwriters of the year at Ivor Novello awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Chick, Stevie (15 December 2023). "Sault review – utterly astonishing debut show by UK soul enigmas". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  5. ^ Shankar, Mahika Ravi (17 August 2025). "Sault review – GCSE-level drama performance borders on the pretentious". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Williams, Kyann-Sian (15 August 2025). "Sault, Cleo Sol and Chronixx live at All Points East 2025: a dizzying, confusing marathon". NME. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Untitled (Black Is) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
  8. ^ "Untitled (Rise) by Sault", Metacritic, retrieved 7 April 2021
  9. ^ "2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' revealed..." mercuryprize.com. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  10. ^ Kelly, Amelia (26 May 2021). "SAULT Have Released Their New Album 'NINE'". mxdwnuk. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  11. ^ Petridis, Alexis (17 September 2020). "Sault: Untitled (Rise) Review – Mystery Collective Make Best Album of 2020, Again". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Thompson, Shy (21 April 2022). "SAULT: Air Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (9 December 2023). "SAULT Announce First Live Show And Tease World Tour". News. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Skinner, Tom (10 January 2024). "André 3000 and SAULT collab on the way". News > Music News. NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  21. ^ Murray, Robin (25 December 2024). "Sault Share New Album 'Acts Of Faith'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Acts Of Faith - PRE ORDER". SAULT. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  23. ^ a b Pearis, Bill. "Listen to SAULT's new album 'Chapter 1' ft Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  24. ^ Suskind, Alex (9 January 2026). "Listen to Sault's New Album Chapter 1". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  25. ^ Empire, Kitty (22 August 2021). "Cleo Sol: Mother review – intimate, spacious soul-jazz". The Observer. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  26. ^ a b Chelosky, Danielle (14 December 2023). "Watch SAULT Play First-Ever Live Show In London". News. Stereogum. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Brit Awards 2024: The complete list of winners and nominees". BBC News. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Brit awards 2026: full list of winners". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Mobo Awards: Central Cee and Raye named best male and female acts". BBC News. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (19 April 2023). "Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Harry Styles lead 2023 Ivor Novello nominations". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "Arlo Parks, Sault, Wolf Alice, More Shortlisted for 2021 Mercury Prize". Variety. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  34. ^ "THE MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2021 NOMINEES". Mobo.com.
  35. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 10/7/2020". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  36. ^ "Sault | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  37. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  38. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  39. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 25/9/2020". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  40. ^ "Official Albums Chart on 2/7/2021". Official Charts. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  41. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 2/7/2021". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 22/4/2022". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  43. ^ "Sault | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 14/10/2022". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
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