Biography
Sault is a British music collective that emerged in 2019, quickly gaining attention for their genre-blending sound and enigmatic public presence. The group, based in London, England, is known for its anonymity—members have never revealed their identities, given interviews, or performed live shows until late 2023, and their album artwork is deliberately minimal, often featuring only numbers or abstract images. Their music draws from soul, funk, post-punk, house, disco, and even trip-hop, with lyrics frequently addressing Black-centric issues and social justice themes, such as systemic oppression and resilience in the face of adversity. Sault’s debut album, 5, was released in May 2019, followed by a rapid succession of critically acclaimed albums, including 7, Untitled (Black Is), Untitled (Rise), Nine, and the orchestral instrumental Air. Their work has been praised for its emotional depth, innovative production, and refusal to be easily categorized, earning them a devoted following and significant critical acclaim, including a Mercury Prize nomination for Untitled (Rise) in 2021. Despite their underground ethos, Sault’s influence has grown steadily, with their music resonating both within the UK and internationally.
Fun Facts
- Sault’s members have never revealed their identities, and the group has never given interviews or released music videos, cultivating an air of mystery that has become central to their brand.
- Their albums are released with minimal promotion, often surprise-dropped, and feature all-black covers with only numbers or abstract images, reinforcing their enigmatic image.
- Despite critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, Sault did not perform live until late 2023, breaking a four-year streak of studio-only releases.
- In 2022, Sault surprise-released five albums simultaneously, a rare and ambitious move in the music industry.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Michael Kiwanuka - Inflo, Sault’s producer, co-wrote Kiwanuka’s 'Black Man in a White World' and has worked closely with him, suggesting a mutual creative relationship (Michael Kiwanuka albums, Sault projects) [2010s–present]
Key Collaborators
- Inflo - Producer and creative leader of Sault (All Sault albums) [2019–present]
- Cleo Sol - Lead vocalist and songwriter (All Sault albums) [2019–present]
- Kid Sister - Rapper and vocalist (Sault albums) [2019–present]
- Chronixx - Reggae artist providing vocals (Sault’s 10, Angel EP) [2022–present]
- Jack Peñate - Instrumentalist (Sault’s Nine) [2021–present]
- BLK VYNL (Kadeem Clarke) - Producer (Sault’s untitled albums)
Artists Influenced
- Little Simz - Inflo’s production and songwriting for Little Simz’s Grey Area demonstrates a shared creative vision and influence (Grey Area)
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2019-05-05 | Album |
| Untitled (Black Is) | 2020-06-19 | Album |
| 11 | 2022-11-11 | Album |
| Untitled (Rise) | 2020-09-18 | Album |
| Acts of Faith | 2024-12-25 | Album |
| Untitled (God) | 2022-11-11 | Album |
| Earth | 2022-11-11 | Album |
| 7 | 2019-09-27 | Album |
| 10 | 2025-04-18 | Album |
| Today & Tomorrow | 2022-11-11 | Album |
| Air | 2022-04-15 | Album |
| Nine | 2021-06-25 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Wildfires (Untitled (Black Is))
- Why Why Why Why Why (5)
- Masterpiece (5)
- Envious (11)
- Fight for Love (11)
- Son Shine (Untitled (Rise))
- Let Me Go (5)
- Free (Untitled (Rise))
- I Look for You (Acts of Faith)
- Up All Night (5)
External Links
Tags: #disco, #house, #indie
Heard on WWOZ
Sault has been played 19 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.