SAULT offer up the gift of Acts of Faith

They’ve released 11 LPs (and 2 EPs) in six years, but until late 2023 had yet to play live. And while they no longer operate anonymously, their preference remains to let the music do the talking - and that’s a lot of talking.

The trick, really, is to maintain quality control. If they’re yet to top 2020’s Untitled (Black Is) in terms of a single, near-perfect album, they seldom put a foot wrong, even when serving up five full length releases in 2022 alone. That’s King Gizzard levels of fruitfulness, with the added challenge of having to write songs about serious social matters rather than dragons etc. They occupy a milieu but change it up on the regular, from the choral gospel of AIR to the jagged punk-funk of Today & Tomorrow.

Now they bring us Acts Of Faith. A surprise drop in the form of a single, unbroken 32 minute WAV file, SAULT have been typically silent with information, though fans can discern track titles of sorts from the setlist of their first (and as yet only) live show at which they debuted this record. It makes sense that this LP in particular should be experienced first as a performance: the music has a gripping flow to it, best experienced as a suite. Whether the tracks are running seamlessly into the next or shifting gears abruptly, this is mood music with cohesion and structure in its purpose. SAULT always achieve a communal feel on tape, which is reflected in their decision to shirk the limelight. There’s no showboating or grandstanding; everything is in support of the song.

Audibly, as ever, this is delicious stuff, with a solid amount of variety. From the jazz fusion of its opening bars through to slinky, bass-led funk, cool chord pads and loops reminiscent of Stereolab, and the slow jamming finale, Acts Of Faith makes a seamless trip around the R&B houses. If it doesn’t have a truly standout, surprising moment like a “Stop Dem” or “The Lords With Me”, that’s by design: outliers or jagged edges would risk disrupting the flow cultivated across the work. The low end and keys are particularly noteworthy for their warmth and versatility, whether they’re sitting back in the groove or leading the track.

This being SAULT, though, there’s plenty of sustenance at the foundations. As the title suggests, this is an album underpinned by religion, though the band’s approach tends to be oblique rather than didactic. The third movement begins in restrained fashion, with Cleo Sol reciting aphorisms - “Life is precious”; “Everyday is your chance to grow a little bit stronger.” Then, the church choir bursts triumphantly into life for the piece’s mantra: “God will help you heal.” Faith is the key word here for sure; listeners aren’t being pushed in any particular direction, just being asked to give themselves over to something greater.

And this isn’t limited to religion, either. The movement dubbed “Only For You” is structured around Sol’s affectless repeated urging to “Get someone to love / Get someone who’s only for you.” While the group put on the backburner the discourse about inequality and life or death struggle, the songs are still imbued with importance. This is music with a message, speaking simply but with undeniable truth about the vitalness of connection.

There is perhaps an argument to be made that they’re too prolific for their own good, that, even if there’s no sign of a downturn in form, it’s simply impossible to properly parse this much music. That seems churlish, though, especially when SAULT are delivering work like they did this project. Acts Of Faith stands up just fine on its own merits, but presented as it was, it’s a true gift, and should be treated as such.