SAULT: Untitled (Black is)

The Mystery of SAULT

SAULT remains one of contemporary music’s most enigmatic collectives. Little is known about the members, and that anonymity feels intentional—a way to keep the focus entirely on the music and its message rather than the personalities behind it.

Five Albums as an Offering

In November 2022, SAULT made waves with an unprecedented move: surprise-releasing five albums simultaneously as a free download via WeTransfer. The message was simple but profound: “Here are 5 albums released as an offering to God. Available for free download for five days.”

After those five days passed and the albums were no longer freely available, this one—Untitled (Black is)—kept pulling me back.

Perfect Work Music

There’s something about this album that makes it ideal for working. It creates a space rather than demanding attention, yet it never fades into background noise. The album travels through so many different sonorities that each session feels like a new journey, maintaining interest without disrupting focus.

A Tapestry of Black Sound

The album weaves together multiple threads of Black musical tradition:

Black R&B vibes that surface throughout
Deep African tribalism that grounds the entire work
Contemporary production that brings it all into the present moment

This isn’t fusion for fusion’s sake—it’s a recognition of the interconnectedness of these musical lineages, showing how they’ve always been in conversation with each other.

Politics Done Right

What strikes me most is how SAULT handles political content. There’s no preaching, no heavy-handedness. Instead, tracks like “Don’t shoot guns down” deliver their message with the perfect balance of urgency and artistry. The politics emerge naturally from the music itself, making it more powerful precisely because it doesn’t feel forced.

The song addresses gun violence in a way that feels both timely and timeless—a call for peace that resonates beyond any specific moment or movement.

Album: Untitled (Black is) Artist: SAULT Year: 2022

Standout Tracks:

Don’t shoot guns down

Tags: R&B, African music, tribal, political, experimental, collective

Notes: Part of five albums released simultaneously in November 2022 as “an offering to God,” available for free download for five days via WeTransfer.