Sault

The enigmatic London-based collective Sault pushes the limits of R&B with songs that gently but intentionally interrogate Black identity. The exact members have been shrouded in mystery since the group debuted in 2019, but British producer and multi-instrumentalist Inflo and singer-songwriter Cleo Sol have emerged as key figures alongside Chicago artist Kid Sister and reggae musician Chronixx. While Sault’s work is fundamentally rooted in R&B, it extends into other sonic territories, including psychedelic funk, hip-hop, gospel, house, and disco. On 2020’s Untitled (Black Is), the coterie of artists dove deep into its mission to illuminate the intricacies of the Black experience, as heard on the contemplative “Wildfires.” Operating completely outside of industry norms, Sault released five ambitious albums at once in 2022: Air, 11, Untitled (God), Earth, and Today & Tomorrow, all of which were powered by themes of existentialism and faith.