SAULT have become one of the most prolific and quietly assured projects in modern music, and Chapter 1 only deepens that reputation. Dripping with class, poise and grace, each record they release feels like a meticulously considered continuation of their long spiritual conversation with a reverential level of care. Where last year’s 10 leaned into the lineage of 90s female-led vocal harmony R&B groups, Chapter 1 reaches further back, drawing from a warmer, earthier tradition that places it closer to figures like Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield.

The production favours strings and gentle grooves, with the title track Chapter 1 carrying a guitar riff so close to The Rolling Stones that it feels like a deliberate nod. From there, the album leans into themes of faith, belief, endurance, and spiritual self-determination, glowing with lush string arrangements and melodies that hop and skip forward with optimism. The orchestration feels expansive, and tracks like Good Things Will Come After the Pressure and Create Your Prophecy feel indistinguishable from gospel hymns in form. The groovier moments like Love Does Not Equal Pain retain the same sense of purpose, with a warm and inviting rhythm and a clear-eyed sentiment. SAULT sound like they’re deliberately stepping outside of time altogether. This isn’t nostalgia, but an affirmation of a Black musical tradition rooted in soul, gospel and funk. Its power lies in its restraint, warmth, and unwavering belief in the healing potential of music. There are moments where the sheer beauty of the arrangements tugs at the heart and feels overwhelming, but just as often they pull everything back and keep things simple and direct, with slow, soft pop music rooted in a warmer, older tradition. Another excellent chapter in a catalogue that continues to feel both essential and timeless.