Release Date: 9 January 2026
Song Count: 10
Duration: 36 minutes, 27 seconds
Rating: 7.2/10
Description:
Here's a pull from out of the blue - SAULT, a largely entirely anonymous band hailing from the UK primarily expertised in making soul, funk and R&B music, has released their 13th (!) and newest full-length LP just last month, named Chapter 1. Collaborating with both regular and newer musicians on the side that are helping along, the album's sound has been described as seemingly being somewhat akin to the group's earlier output from the times when they kickstarted their journey right at the end of the previous decade. Characteristically, not much has been said about the record from the culprits themselves, who mainly only expressed the sentiment of being happy to release more music for their audience to enjoy.
The main composition of the album's palette consists of a mixture of orchestral instruments and noises coming together with jamming electric guitars, bass and drums to set a relaxed yet soulful mood, which is only amped up further by the gentle vocals sprinkled in to complete the picture. The lyrical contents of the tracks are often simple, tending to only repeating one or two lines throughout their entire runtimes, like a mantra sinking in with occasional interruptions dealing as segways and hammering in the message trying to be conveyed. These specific themes speak of letting things go that are out of one's control, holding on for better things to arrive in due time, and loving and prioritising oneself - general feel-good messages expressive of the band's beliefs and values that circle and echo around.
Though one would expect the constant repetition of words and generally similar way of sounding for each and every song to grate on one's brain after some time, the way it is executed and the timings of when things happen makes it all work overall - combined with the fact that the tracks also have a sense of when to, in their own words, let go, and not to drag things along further than they need to go. It's a very tactfully made album from a group that have a clear vision of what they're doing and feel through their art, which reflects brightly in their music. Chapter 1 offers a cooled down and enjoyable listen all around, and is a good simplistic R&B piece that could lead one to think about life for just a moment, or perhaps at least just have a good time for 36 minutes.