Sault

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. Known collaborators have included Kid Sister, Chronixx, Jack Peñate, Little Simz and Michael Kiwanuka. The group frequently puts Black-centric issues at the foreground.

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. Their second performance – a five-hour headline set at All Points East festival in 2025 – received mixed reviews. [edit]

Sault emerged in 2019 with two albums, 5 and 7, released almost back to back. The project was the brainchild of producer Inflo and vocalist Cleo Sol, who had been working together in London's underground soul scene. Inflo had already built a reputation producing for artists like Little Simz and Michael Kiwanuka, but Sault was something different: a collective that deliberately hid its members' identities, letting the music speak for itself.

The formation was shrouded in mystery from the start. No press photos, no interviews, no social media presence beyond a few cryptic posts. The albums arrived with minimal promotion, yet their blend of retro-modern psychedelic soul and pointed social commentary caught on quickly. By 2020, Sault had become a touchstone for the Black Lives Matter era, releasing Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise) during the summer of protests following George Floyd's murder.

The group's early rise was unconventional. Instead of touring or doing press, they let the music circulate on streaming platforms and Bandcamp, building a devoted following through word of mouth. Their 2022 release strategy was even more radical: after the orchestral Air, they dropped five albums at once, a move that stunned the industry and reinforced their anti-commercial ethos. [edit]

Sault's sound is a fluid blend of R&B, gospel, house, disco, and psychedelic soul, often shifting between eras and moods. Their early work, like 5 and 7, had a retro-modern production sheen, with fuzzy basslines and soulful vocals. The 2020 albums Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise) deepened the political and spiritual dimensions, integrating gospel choirs and Afrobeat rhythms into protest anthems.

In 2022, Air marked a dramatic departure: a purely orchestral instrumental album, all strings and no vocals. That same year, the five simultaneous releases explored everything from funk to ambient, showing a restlessness that defies easy categorization. Lyrically, Sault tackle Black identity, resilience, and self-determination, often with a sense of urgency and hope.

Their production approach is meticulous yet raw, favoring live instrumentation and analog warmth. AllMusic has described their output as integrating "retro-modern psychedelic soul, rambunctious post-punk funk, righteous Afrobeat, joyful and solemn gospel, and purposefully oblique pop." [edit]

Sault have become one of the most significant Black British musical projects of their era. Their 2020 albums Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise) arrived during global protests for racial justice and became sonic touchstones for the Black Lives Matter movement, their songs echoing through marches and playlists alike.

The collective's commitment to anonymity challenges the music industry's reliance on celebrity and marketing. By refusing to do interviews or reveal their faces, they've forced the focus onto the music itself, a radical act in an era of constant content. Their fusion of gospel, soul, funk, Afrobeat, and house has been critically acclaimed as pushing the boundaries of contemporary R&B.

Their two live performances, particularly the critically lauded Drumsheds debut, have become legendary events in UK music circles, proving that scarcity can amplify impact. [edit]

Sault's fandom is as unconventional as the group itself. There's no official fandom name, lightstick, or fan colors, the collective's anonymity-first approach extends to their audience. Instead, fans connect through shared appreciation for the music, often discovering the group through word of mouth or social media.

On Instagram, @saultglobal has amassed 217,000 followers while following zero accounts, a statement against the typical social media engagement game. Fans have organized listening parties and online discussions around each release, and the surprise album drops in 2022 sparked collective excitement and speculation.

The group's limited live appearances have created a fervent demand, with the Drumsheds show becoming a bucket-list event for many. [edit]

The name Sault means "leap, jump" in French, a reference to a leap in the manege.

Their Instagram account follows zero accounts, reinforcing their anti-social-media stance.

The collective has performed live only twice in their career.

In 2022, they released five studio albums simultaneously, an unprecedented move in modern music.

Chapter 1, released January 9, 2026, includes tracks like "God, Protect Me From My Enemies" and "Love Does Not Equal Pain." [edit]