Untitled (Black Is)

so weird this is made by Brits

A pretty good album, I liked Stop Dem and Don't Shoot Guns Down the most.

Me pareció muy raro, una mezcla muy random de estilos, con segmentos hablados ahí medio poéticos, de repente un par de rolones y luego unos ritmos africanos que no entendí muy bien como combinaban con el resto. Eso sí, una gran producción.

This doesn't sound like it was released in 2020. It feels like it's stuck in the past, and it doesn't make the past sound that good.

A cool sound but so repetitive

really nice melodies and great singing

I don’t mind the political nature of this album - this is what music is supposed to do. My gripe is around the flow of the album. It seemed like every time I was started to feel a vibe, the next track would be spoken poetry with a backbeat. Will not revisit.

- I knew this was English before I looked up the Wiki entry ..... I can't put my finger on why I knew it; but there's a certain lack of soul ..... A couple of good tracks but somehow more boring than it should be. -

WHITE LIVES MATTER

need to relisten

A lot of people need to listen to this album

I suppose this album is doing its job if it is upsetting people who think "nobody was talking about race 15 years ago". I also see people complaining of a lack of passion or anger. I dunno, not everything needs to be histrionic and besides this is as much as celebration as a protest. I like its cool modern approach to soul.

It was oddly preachy about being black in a really surface-level and cringy way? Very much felt like a thirteen year old's school project of uplifting cultures rather than anything meaningful or touching. Which is a shame because some of the songs were quite cool in their sound. I loved the drums in Bow and Wildfires was pretty good too. Don't Shoot Guns Down and a few other songs brought some interesting sounds together, I just hated the cringy reinforcements. Like genuinely painful to listen to and I definitely skipped a few songs which I try hard not to do during these reviews. 2/5 stars.

This is a really incredible album, borne in a year of a lot of upheaval. Not all albums earn an instant re-listen from me (especially since I'm more than a month behind), but this one did. I'm not entirely sure how to rate this one, just because it's still so recent. Like, I'm hesitant to give it a 5, just because I'm not sure how it'll age. But the music is incredible, and the message is very important and still relevant. I have a hard time believing this won't end up an all-time album. Favorite Song(s): Hard Life, Monsters, Wildflowers

A powerful statement on what it means to be Black in the modern world. It’s also a lot of fun to listen to.

It's like Solange Knowles was tasked to make aThe Go Team boring and succeeded

My son tried to get me into this a while ago, and I had the same reaction this time. It's fine.

Not my thing musically, but important to the social justice movement, and therefore more important today than ever.

A nice album of 70s-esque R&B; I'd never heard of them but I can definitely see keeping this around. It is not surprising or bothersome in any way that an R&B album is infused with racial consciousness (maybe some people missed the 60s?) but the fact that this has a lower overall rating than Moby is truly disturbing.

really liked a few of these songs but the rest were either really boring or not appealing not really for me but i like the message

Favorite Track: Wildfires

3.5

Good message but I was not a fan of the execution. Too much whispering and the songs themselves aren't great. Some of these lyrics are also really cheesy which dampens the importance of this topic. I wish this album was better considering how important the message is but it sucked.

It's all about being at the right place at the right time. Even though no one could have gone anywhere at all without risking their lives. SAULT poured themselves on the wounds that had been reopened and oozed onto familiar fabric, the fabric being their existences as a Black person living in a ceaselessly hostile world, that of which was reinforced by the deaths of many Black folk over the years such as George Floyd in the year of this album's release. Untitled (Black Is) is a modern day take on the progressive soul that was prevalent in the 70s, with more expressive detours down slightly experimental routes. It could very well be, upon one or two listens, one of the more impressive and important albums of the 2020s and, as the decade progresses, the more true and real it feels.

Political, psychedelicized soul and r&b. It’s fantastic in many spots and very enjoyable as a whole.

Interesting. Decent enough. No stand out song

I didn't know the music can be so woke!

A sprawling collection of politically charged, groove-heavy tracks. Many feel underdeveloped, as if they were ideas rather than fully realized songs. SAULT’s secrecy and mystique are intriguing, but when the music doesn’t consistently hold up to the weight of its themes, the result is an album that feels more like a collection of rough sketches than a fully formed statement.

Very stoked to see a Sault album on here. I loved all of these. Inflo is such a good producer and the mystique that surrounded the collective when they first started releasing albums made it all the more fun.

Curiously weak delivery of an important message.

Oh, Lord grant me the confidence of a white man telling me that current race events are blown out of proportion. I remember first hearing Wildfires and was blown away by it. I bought the vinyl having not heard any other track and absolutely loved it. It's thought provoking and important but with a theme of love and pride running through it. Love the "Black is..." voice overs between tracks too. Nice nod to The Warriors which is a dope movie.

Some great stuff, but overall to repetitive and sometimes really boring.

Some cool beats sometimes but not into it

This would be an amazing, catchy, and well written album if it was just the full tracks if they cut the interludes. Seriously all of the interesting political commentary comes from the full songs! And the interludes just kinda feel like afterthought that make the salient message feel heavy handed. Would be 10/10 if they trimmed the fat, instead It’s like a 7

Oh this shits gonna fire! Did not finish

I'd never heard of this artist before but really enjoyed

Untitled (Black Is) is actually a pretty solid album for being my first album from the 2020s for this project. It is also pretty interesting to see that this is probably the most Christian album that we are likely getting on this project. As for the album itself, there is good and there is not so good. The music here was stuff i generally enjoyed having a nice R&B sound with a lot of the songs feeling very distinct from each other yet still fitting together quite nicely. I guess if i had to complain about something, it would be the vocals. They aren't horrible, i just find something off about them. This is a solid album but i do feel there are better albums from 2020. Best Song: Monsters Worst Song: Black

Did not enjoy. Not even a little bit. Annoying if anything. 1/5

Great discovery. Thematically strong, musically maybe a bit disjointed. But there are so many great songs and you can feel the love/anger/passion that went into making this.

Come on… It’s just too early to say that this is so important and special that it needs to be on this list. I completely understand and respect the message, but still… I enjoyed the track X though, but this type of music is just not for me

This is a really tough one to rate because I don't particularly like the music but the words are fantastic - beautiful, sad, poignant. This really plays more like a spoken word record with simple electronic music in the background. It is not something I would ever listen to again but I am very happy to have heard it once and would recommend it to others for a single listen. But for the rating? I don't know. I'm sort of going back and forth because, great though the words are, it is a little repetitive. I wouldn't listen to it again with the exception of Bow with Michael Kiwanuka which I enjoyed a lot. I think that probably makes it a 3/5 for me.

Love the start of the first track, Out the Lies, as a matter of timing. March 2025 in the United States is not a pleasant place to be. We need to figure out our revolution strategy pronto; everyone seems to be fumbling around while a duly elected monster undermines the fabric of our democracy. But that song is just a rallying cry that I can appreciate in this moment. I was disappointed by the next several songs from a musical standpoint - too much repetition, the beats were too heavy. But I do vibe with the political message. Wildfires, Sorry Ain't Enough, and Bow (Michael Kiwanuka! My favorite find from this album journey!) were also brights spots.

This album came out in 2020, when Americans came out of denial for a quick moment about racism. I'm writing this review in 2025, lamenting how quickly that moment dissipated. One of the propped up negative reviews on this site gave a low rating to this album, complaining that America loves black people too much. Well, I don't think that reviewer needs to worry... we have elected and propped up just the people who can take care of that (alleged) problem. Anyway, back to this album. It's good. It's a sensitive, restrained testament to Black experiences of all kinds: the challenges, the fears, the pride, the power, and the longing. Favorite song was "Monsters," and also "Wildfires" which others have noted. If it's not your style, at least listen. Like..."listen."

I am intrigued by this album. It is not really in my wheelhouse, but I did enjoy listening to it. My greater issue is including an album from 2020 on this list. I will have to check-in on the album here and again to see if it sustains over the years, but I can happily say that that doesn't bother me at all. Maybe it will grow on me.

Pretty cool, Doechii and Little Simz clear

Wildfires is a banger

I get the message but it’s not something I would listen to

This is another album I feel is included more for the interesting narrative around the artist, rather than its actual sonic merits. There’s some adequate hip hop and lo-fi stuff happening here, but there’s a lot that barely even tries to get your attention.

There were some really cool songs sprinkled into this record. I couldn’t see myself listening more than once but I respect the individuality from song to song.

I am very against albums with more interludes and poetry than actual music. Best Song: Bow Rating: 2.0/10 1 Stars

This album has a powerful message and I think it gets that across reasonably well. It can be a bit meh at times, but I think I also have to keep in mind that the core focus of this album is black empowerment and the words of affirmation are not for me.

No thanks.

Fine but not for me.

Very good

Absolutely fantastic. I had never heard of Sault before today, but I had to listen to another couple of their albums right after this, it was so good. This album has such great execution, it sounds absolutely incredible, and the lyrics are hard hitting and well written.

I appreciate this album for celebrating Black culture rather than relying on aggression and rage; however, the overall consistency of the album is lacking. "Bow" and "Wildfires" stand out as the best tracks.

British 2020s R&B. Lovely vocals, laid back. Smooth. Great African influences and affirmations. Soulful meditation on blackness.

I thought it was solid beginning to end. Maybe loses a bit of steam but hey.

I love that this conceptually revolves around social consciousness. Beats and production are really good. R&B portions are a little too modern for my tastes. Afrobeat influence is present, but not nearly prevalent enough. Vocals, despite being well performed, just never seem to catch my attention. Maybe it's because the vocal is often just a repeated chorus, often a single word or line. There is a message there, but it's lost in monotony. It's better than most of what I've heard released in the last 5 or so years, but still just not something that really hits me in a way that makes me want to listen to it again.

нормалек.

Inte för mig

I loved the song wildfires already, good album for speaking on blm

Whoa, did not expect the list to include such recent music. I fucking love SAULT! Wildfires is very high on my list of favorite tracks of all time. Every time its on, it just takes me away. Love love love love love love love!

There is clearly a lot of talent involved in the making of this album, from the song writing, lyrics, singing, musicianship, and production. It also has a powerful message. I just didn't fully connect with it. Enjoyed it, but I don't see myself listening to it again. The best comp I could think of was Arrested Development.

this that typa shit #blackouttuesday niggas listen to really uninteresting and vapid, although there are some great song, but its just far too on the nose for me to really feel moved by it at all. disappointing because this is all produced by inflo and I love their work with Little Simz. I was expecting something far more interesting

One of my favourite groups at the moment, but this album feels like a more sparse collection before they really hit the ground a few years later. I can't tell if I'd be giving it 5 if I was hearing it in 2020 or if I just need to spend more time with it now.

This is certainly an album of its moment. It doesn't strike me as particularly innovative (musically or thematically) or influential, but it's so far from the worst thing to come out of 2020. Favorite track: "Wildfires"

Итс окэй. Грув, атмосфера. Лучшая песня - Wildfires.

I went into this with an element of trepidation. Identity politics and RnB sounded like a catastrophic mix. However, this is a good album - not spectacular but very enjoyable. The sound is much more like a trip hop end of RnB and it floats on nicely.

I like some of the beats, and it's a chill enough time, but I don't think much of this as a whole to be honest. It's so one-note, and I don't think they're even saying anything particularly meaningful or profound. And it's really long. 2.5 rounded down.

A bunch of beats on a loop and slam poetry

An album of despair and hope that seems impossible in 2025. Progress can seem impossible.

They have one song that I use to listen to on repeat. Nice to listen to a whole album!

The album did not appeal to me. I thought I understood at least where the album was coming from, but then I realized this was recorded in 2020, not the 60s. I don’t know anything about this band, who is in it or even how many members, except that they are black (source “I am black. Black. Black. I am Black. Black. Black.” From the track “Black”) Almost every track was super repetitive which isn’t a problem really except when the repetitive parts are super aggravating sonically. The skits were super cringe and patronizing. I didn’t hate the album though. A lot of the tracks were pleasantly bumpin. I liked “Wildfires” and “Why We Cry, Why We Die” especially. Maybe good for ambient music, but overall, the experience of the album was not great, and at least from my perspective (FWIW) not great rallying music.

The album attempts to send an important message, but that doesn't mean the music and their attempt are great. If you're going to have lots of songs that are repetitive, you have to make damn sure the part repeated is good; they failed to do that on a lot the tracks. The more slow, bass driven soul songs were good. The others subpar. As for their attempt at sending a message about racial injustice (if you can even call it an "attempt"): could have been executed better. That's all I'll say.

Definitely a product of the year it was produced. Some of the skit tracks are so cringy they made me chuckle. I'm generally not a fan of hip-hop beats without somebody rapping a verse, they tend to get repetitive. A handful of these tracks managed to keep my foot tapping regardless, with simple yet catchy beats that make good background music. Very torn over this album as a whole. Just going with my gut here.

Stroy

meh? sono sicura sia stato importantissimo, ma non mi è piaciuto troppo

I liked the first half but second half was kinda meh. Wildfires was my fave track

It's a really cool instrumental album - there is a lot going on that I really like. That being said, especially at this time in 2020, it isn't anything novel to put these sounds together. This is stuff that producers have been doing for decades at this point. To me, it really feels like the core of this album is trying to capture the racial reckoning that was the year 2020. It is a sort of interesting snapshot in time as to what the discourse was at the time but five years later it feels out of place to say that "Black People are Gods among us." and that "Black People are older than time itself." And on top of that, it doesn't really explore the emotion of blackness either - it's more of a speak and spell of racial grievances and catch phrases boiling over that year. Honestly - you can get the same experience scrolling twitter and listening to the chill hip hop beats stream.

Amazing project

It’s alright, probably won’t listen to again though

This is very cool, a good idea done well. Faves: Wildfires is just incredible, Black Is, and Monsters

Pretty contemptible to see some bigoted dipshit reviews so heavily upvoted, though not, I suppose, surprising. This album caught a certain category of listener right in their white fragility, didn't it? They're running all the hits, too! To paraphrase - "I can't be racist, I like Beyonce" - ah yes, the "I have black friends" defense. To paraphrase - "I wouldn't mind them singing about race if they sounded more angry/passionate" - interestingly, the opposite criticism that real life protests get. A protest would always be better if they changed their tone to suit you, eh boys? To quote directly - "15 years ago few people even THOUGHT about race" - get the fuck outta here! I just got whiter reading that and I'm dangerously goblin pale as it is. Same person unironically complains about "SJWs" 🙄 Anyway, to review the actual album, yeah, I dig it! Soul meets protest song meets minimal electronica, occasional splashes of afrobeat and spoken word - it all balances out as a kinda moody trip-hop vibe that feels like it's taking you on a journey. Exactly my jam! Fave tracks - "Stop Dem", "Don't Shoot Guns Down", "Bow", "Monsters"...

Enjoyed this. It felt very appropriate given this was the first day of Black History Month.

I liked most of this album. There were a few forgettable songs, but for the most part I really dug the vibe. The track Monsters was a highlight for me.

Didn't care much for this. I'm not sure why this is so well-regarded. It's too repetitive and the songs aren't like, dynamic enough? 2/5

"Wildfires" is nice, the rest it's nothing special.

Not for me. It was alright, with a couple of cool instrumental ideas.

Really interesting beats. The vocals are pretty corny. I don't know. Go into this album pretending you can't understand english and you won't bring any of your own baggage into it.

It came in the right time but for the future i dont think this album gonna have a similar impact. Wildfire fits to the latest tragedy in LA. It has many great Tracks but the deeper cuts will have a hard time too shine in the future. Still appreciating and loving the art behind it. (3.5/5.0)

I’m not convinced I’m in the right headspace at this very second to give this record its due – though I’ll also say that it’s 2025, the White House is again living up to its name, and maybe I should be making more of an effort to be in that headspace. (To that extent, maybe I can say that this album continues to do a job alerting the privileged to their position. Fair play to that.) Black Is is a rich and varied assemblage of musical styles, genres and moments. “Wildfires” is one of the defining tracks of the past decade; “Why we cry why we die” bops soulfully, disarmingly; “Black” puts me in mind of J Dilla’s musical eclecticism (while forcing some potentially tragic bobble-headed participation on my part); “Eternal life” is afrofuturism in the key of divinity. The production, the message, the talent and now the legacy. It’s a special record, and I’ll be making time to give it its due.

Very creative music. I think this is very interesting musically and lyrically too.

Don’t know what exactly this is…soulfull meditation on blackness, mournfull poetry, but it’s supersmooth without being too pleasing but harmonious good. Thanks for this gospel beyond cliché.

Does not resonate with me. Feels like pre-packaged beats with vocal loops that are shrill, at best, due to the way the songs are mixed. Cool cover but the music misses me.

Never really been a fan of soul music but perhaps something might change after this.

I respect the fact that it was released for donations only during the George Floyd protests. And it was relaxing to put on while working. But the actual music itself sounds like coffee shop music, like it sounds like Starbucks music I'm sorry. And the spoken word poetry is pretty bad in a local slam poetry way. I won't shit on this too much because I respect why it was made. It was ok.

73% Best: Wildfires; Bow; Why We Cry Why We Die; Monsters Must-Hear? No

Never heard of Sault and probably would have never come across this. But I am glad I did. What a really cool different ride I got on this album. From feeling like I was sitting in an old speakeasy lounge listening to poetry with background music to just awesome beats and cool harmonies this was a really enjoyable album. Highlights were Hard Life Only Synth in Church - awesome short instrumental Bow This album was produced and edited incredibly. That stood out the most. Everything is just so crisp and perfect. The snare drum felt like is was next to my head. Great producing. Something I would never typically put on but glad I did and really enjoyed this album. Very creative and some really cool music. Certain areas got a little repetitive for me but it fit in and was all good.

I can appreciate this album for its cultural impact and overarching message. I would never listen to it again for pure enjoyment purposes, but it’s nice to know something like this exists out there.

-_-

What a unique listen. I'm really glad it was on the list. You need to listen to it as an album versus singles and hearing it straight while running helped it click. Good to have something like this on the list. I grew some listening to it.

Some of the beats are solid. The production / mixing is pretty solid. The music is too polished, a bit safe and ultimately a little bland. The lyrics are about some powerful stuff, but there is no fire. Or a song like Bow is just asking for more passion in the vocals. Most of the vibe feels repetitive, all having a kind of low energy vocals.

The combination of soulful vocals with stark and sparse beats, along with a timely, resolute-but-positive mission statement (plus genuine mystery about who SAULT even were, at the time I first heard it) make this a captivating prospect. I think the album starts off really well, with ‘Stop Dem’ and ‘Don’t Shoot Guns Down’ providing arresting, slightly ominous grooves, before peaking with the sumptuous ‘Wildfires’. I find it a bit hit and miss after that, though - the energy and tension that’s been built up at the start dissipates over the next 40 minutes.

I found this to be quite boring...

There was a lot to unpack here. Pretty much every style and genre was represented. It was enjoyable if not confusing.

really interesting album. I'd never heard of Sault before yesterday. Huh...

kind of bored me and i just wanted it to end at first, a lot feels like filler. gospel and r&b are pretty low on the totem pole for types of music I generally like but songs like monsters and miracles work for me a bit more and it ends a tiny bit stronger. not a fan of the musical style talking at me though lmao 2.5

Every song is pretty solid. It's just a lot for one sitting. Four stars though.

Alright ig? I don’t like this style of music and some of the lyrics just seemed rushed.

Really good 4/5

extremely bad album. the female vocalists aren’t bad either. the songs are wanting to be seen as having a bunch of meaning but they really don’t they’re just words repeated over and over again. instrumentals suck. also some narcissism in the lyrics. calling yourself god? really? the artists should really look into kendrick lamar to see how you actually empower black people whilst also making a song good and, not dragging down other races when doing it.

Powerful and important album. Dig the creativity and sound, but not something I would listen to regularly

So smooth loved it. Glad to know if this group now

Mellow and seems like some good messaging that could use another listen.

Refreshing, minimalistic, refined, confident. I hardly found anything to criticize musically, even if it doesn't directly correspond to my musical taste and the album is a bit long. However, I'm struggling with the content. Sure, can be considered to be a concept album and is therefore monothematic. Maybe it's even a concept group with just this one theme. But I find being so hyperfocused on race problematic in general and not very enjoyable in the context of music. For some, this may be exactly the art form in which to deal with topics such as racial identity, conflicts, and culture, but I would actually prefer to take an hour reading articles or watching discussions on the topic, rather than listening to this. This feeling is reinforced for me by the fact that it is even explicitly limited to black people and pretty on the nose lyrically. A pleasant breath of fresh air for this list, but I won't be coming back to it.

Nice background music.

I very much doubt that I'm the target audience for this album. Initially I enjoyed the beats and there's some really nice progressions in there. Compare this, however, to Public Enemy, NWA, RATM - they went for the jugular, they meant it with a passion. This album is watered-down with lightweight easy-to-swallow commercial chants for an ASMR generation. 2⭐️

Some solid contemporary music. There's a whole vibe going on here.

Reminds me of the breakbeat stuff of the 1990s but better. Yet I'm not blown away by it.

this had some grooves, good message

I get that expressions change with language and culture but some songs of this album are too boring. Others are enjoyable.

This one is really divisive. While understanding (and almost agreeing with) some of the 1- and 2-star reviews, I could almost give it five stars. I could really groove with it, and I could understand the message, even if it was not meant for me.

Remember 2020? A lot of us would really rather not. The year was dominated by a global pandemic, rolling lock-downs, social distancing, face masks, and politicalization of vaccines. But that wasn't the only thing happening. 2020 was a massive year for the Black Lives Matter movement, with cities all over the US seeing demonstrations and demands to end systematic racism within police and justice systems. You couldn't ask for a better musical representation for that time than SAULT. There's anger and outrage of course, but SAULT were different from popular African American voices that came before them. Public Enemy were angry. Parliament envisioned a future where black people had achieved a level of equality where they got to be astronauts and politicians. What's different in "Untitled (Black Is)" are the feelings of hope, love, beauty and solidarity, that sit comfortably alongside justifiable outrage. The world is broken, but we're determined to change it. It's not merely dreaming, but taking to the streets and demanding a new world that is possible. It's just a fantastic album all the way through and it really captures the spirit of that movement, motivated by both justice and love.

I liked this, it was an interesting mix of styles, had a theme, was competently executed, and so on. That said, I generally prefer things that have a bit more oomph.

I really appreciate the themes and messages in this album, I just feel like the music surrounding it could be a lot more interesting. It does have a few cool moments, but also spends a lot of time just not really doing a whole lot.

I was in absolutely the right mood for this, alone in the office as it was getting dark. My only complaint is that a few of the songs really made me wish i was hearing them in a dark club and that was not where I was at the moment, but that's my problem not theirs. Loved the stunning sounds they were using, appreciated the messages.

the spoken word interludes really slam the brakes on this as a start to finish album listening experience but the rest of it is so good

didn't realize i knew anything by Sault until Wildfires came on. not my favorite musically, i'm sure this would have hit harder if i was looking at lyrics instead of driving. a couple of these tracks really felt like the audio track for an experimental art video tucked away in a corner of a museum. thought Stop Dem did a pretty good job at being chilling, and was delighted to see michael kiwanuka pop up as a feature 2.5

I was not in the mood for all of the spoken word today I am sorry

Ok, you lost me. Never heard of them or this album. Please share the reason this album made the Top1001 list? It has to be based solely on the message, which isn't a valid reason in my opinion to include an album in the Top 1001, or every Bob Marley album would be on here. That decision should be focused on entire package - the choice to include it was not based on the music, not the delivery, maybe the vibe, not the influence, not the hits, & not the underwhelming vocals. The message is necessary today, but much of this is like spoken poetry with a beat. I believe it was created to wake people up and see the light, noble and needed, but the album is not "essential listening", unless the goal is to open eyes. Even the "hit", "Wildfires" (with 154M listens) was average & went nowhere. "Why We Cry Why We Die", another popular listener track, was boring, repetitive & also went nowhere. "Monsters" felt like it could have been on the radio with a bit more polish, or at least used in a movie, it felt modern & had some urgency. I missed the point I guess, but I'm a music first listener, I'm not reading into the lyrics or message for enjoyment. If it makes me bob my head, dance, play air guitar, bang on invisible drums, get a rush or feel like I need to move then the music has done its job, this album had none of that.

Highlights: Stop Dem, Wildfires. In a nutshell: it's lacking something It's supposed to be an album about self empowerment, experiences of racial oppression and being proud to be black. I quickly picked that up with Solange's "A Seat At The Table" and "Things Fall Apart" by The Roots (why is that Roots album not on the list?). The aforementioned albums "hit me in the feels". I didn't get that with Untitled (Black Is). The loops bored me. The spoken word tracks interrupted rather than bolstered the tracklist. Excellent lead and backing vocals though. Overall: 3/10

Takes an hour to get nowhere 2.3

2020. Soul, R&B, funk

Bei Gott keine Ahnung was das überhaupt für ein Genre sein soll, aber blyat hier und da kommt es echt sehr böse ;)

Enough here for a solid 3 EP

We get it, you're black

not bad, not too inspiring either

Abwechslungsreiches R&B Slbum, dass durch seine Variation mit Gospel Elementen positiv auffällt. Die Songs sind stimmlich solide, sodass das durchspielen des Albums keine Zeitverschwendung war.

some good parts

Chill sounding, but non-chill lyrically.

Not my thing, ok but nothing special

Okay not my thing but at least I could stand it. The production was kind of fun and nothing really irritated me.

This is a great modern album. Dark and moody, some great tunes, it builds on the music before it and contributes to progress.

A modern album I've actually heard before! Woohoo!

Encapsulates the 2020 movement pretty well tbh. Coming from the right place but totally lacking in teeth and substance.

As I sit down to write to review... Honestly, I have no idea what I wanna say, exactly. Like, to be crystal clear: on a thematic level, I agree with it. Obviously, of course; I'm not an asshole. But to be 100: I don't think I'm really... Y'know, equipped to discuss any of it. For a lot of reasons — none of which I feel like I'm able to discuss either. Please realize, I'm not trying to avoid any conversations I don't want to have or that make me uncomfortable. At most, I'm jus' tryna avoid saying anything I'd heavily regret later. And maybe I'm gonna regret all this, too, I'unno. So let's talk how I feel about the music n' melodies, since those're always what I'm not interested in anyway. I actually had some high hopes for this album, given the way some people in my group were talking about it. And, like, come on, it's soul, R&B, funk — I've loved plenty of albums in all three of those genres. I couldn't imagine why I wouldn't like this. And once I listened to it... Well, I'll admit that at a point I kinda lost focus on the album? Although, I'd probably chalk that up more to me fixating on some art I was doing and not listening to it by record sides like I normally do, 'cuz listening back to samples now, this is all very good soul. It's not the kind of soul I prefer; I'm more into 70's Stevie Wonder stuff... But as someone who doesn't listen to a lot of modern music, let alone modern soul — yeah, I can dig this. I don't think it exactly lived up to the high hopes I had, but I also wouldn't argue that it shouldn't be here like I did with CHEMTRAILS OVER THE COUNTRY, and that's a really good thing, believe me. Coming out of this album, I was honestly feeling a 3 at best, but after listening to these clips... Yeah, I'll give it a 4. Big thumbs up from me. It's good soul music, and I really can't imagine why anyone would like it unless they have... Y'know, other issues. But let's not get into that either.

FUCK ME, I did not think that I was gonna like this as much as I did, but there's just this certain Something that gives these tracks a certain magic to 'em. Definitely deserves to be highly rated on this site, so why not add to that pile, eh? Solid 5 Stars, but right now, it's looking like 5.5.

It’s a 5, without hesitation. It does take a little bit for this album to really get going, but once it hits that point, it’s impossible to look back. It’s very easy to question this album’s inclusion in the book, given its recent status, but I’m so, so glad it’s here. I cannot believe I’ve never heard of this album. This escaped my radar in 2020, during the absolute height of the public visibility of the BLM movement & the George Floyd riots, and while this album feels tailormade for that moment, it still connected incredibly well for me in December of 2024. This is an album about black positivity, black excellence, and black affirmation. I am a half-Filipino, white-passing male. I fully acknowledge that I can’t ever fully relate to this album, or the black experience, but I can continue to listen and do my part to make this world a better place, and that includes lifting up albums like this that so deeply acknowledges what it is to be black, both in the positives & the negatives, and share a better understanding of that experience. This album’s messaging, mainly in the lyricism, but sometimes celebrated in the instrumentals themselves, is really well done. As far as the music itself goes, which is the core part of the album here, it’s usually pretty good – the biggest knock I can have on it is that there are a few tracks that overstay their repetitive parts, and while I sort of acknowledge the artistic merit to the repetition in the vocals, it does get a little grating, and a few tracks fell a little flatter because of it. My other knock is that the album really should’ve ended on “Miracles”, because the two tracks after that pale in comparison and don’t feel like a satisfying way to end the album. All of that said, I really can’t recommend this enough – no words I could type that gush over the lyrics, vocals, instrumentation & messaging could compare to listening to this album in full, and really, truly digesting it for what it is as a piece of art. If nothing else, the transition from “Us” into “Eternal Life” and the subsequent tracks that follow, all the way up until “Miracles” are truly, truly magical. That sequence, by itself, catapults this album right into a 5, but the whole thing is worth a listen, & this is very, VERY deserving to be on the list.

Liam is a hater

S wichtigste zerst: Isch es Album oder es Kunstwerk wo de Titel "untitled" het wükli untitled oder ned? So Frage lönd mich ned Schlafe! Ich find das unbetitelte Album sehr stimmig ufbaut. Mer merkt d Naration wo sii mit de Zwüschesequänze hend welle erzüüge woni amigs schöni zwüschestück finde, mängisch hetti aber au lieber meh Bangers wie Wildfires. Viel meh so Bangers! Will Wildfires findi scho es ultra wilds fire vo song! Und nebe dem brodlige Füür vo song gits au no paar wiiteri recht hitzigi lieder. S füür findi het sich aber ned gliich dur s ganz Album durezoge. Darum jetzt wider die schwirigi Frag; verdient es schön ufbauts Album wo ein Superbanger, 2 - 3 gueti bangers und no paar rest-bangers mit biz 'zviel' zwüschesequänze het 4 Azündwürfel? Eher 3 Azündwürfel miteme gutsch Brennspritt.

2020er album und señior neduzen hed der/die interpret*in na nie ghört o.0 Aber ok, ready for diving. Schöni reis, me gusta. Signore neduzen chan zu dere musik tagträume, vibe, gnüsse und si. Untitled (Black is) - was e schöne album name zudem paart mit dem cover. Das schaffts i bar liste ine. Hoffentli begleited mich sie tracks na wiiter. Funky souly divers, gid einiges zum entdecke dur die lieder, han mir aber au na zwenig aktivi ziit gnah zum gnueg drüber chönne sege. Aber monsieur neduzen isch überzoge fürs erste und gid dem album mindestens quattro stagioni

Das wär würklich tragisch worde wenni das verpasst hetti Freu mich sehr dasmer chli en jump becho hend ih aktuelleri sache, bin scho chli fed up gsi mit dene ältere albene ih letschter zit Das Album wird absolut wider bsuecht, jenachdem sogar uf choste vom Album wo als negsts chunt :))))) aber hend ja nachane sganze weekend zit widermal hett ufjedefall sehr spass gmacht zum lose 4 Saultkristall us mim Saultstreuer

looking for a chill and groovy album? better call sault nice record but it‘s a bit bland, add a pinch of sault next time

I understand it’s a statement piece and that’s totally cool but I’m rating this as a piece of music. When they did the music, it was often great, the beat on Bow with Michael Kiwanuka was brilliant. Far too often the talking bits just took me out of it, let the music do it, don’t force it. 3 stars

# Album Name: Untitled (Black Is) # Artist: Saulte # Rating: # Comments: Never heard of these guys/gals before. Interesting they are very secretive about their identity. Maybe it coincides with their messaging. The first four tracks were absolutely trash. Repetitive, boring. Then wildfires came on. Now thats a good song. I dont give AF if you want to make some political/race statement but just make sure the music is good man. Sadly, the album started out very poorly. The music was just such a low quality imo. Wildfires is a good song though. Thats how it should be. The second half of the album picks up with a few decent songs like eternal life and monsters. Overall the music, messaging and theme isnt for me. I think those with the high scores are more focussed on the message rather than the quality of the music. # Top Tunes: Wildfire / Eternal life / Monsters # Would I listen to it again? No, only the highlighted tracks.

Tough album to really rate. Probably worth 5 stars, but not a particularly comfortable listen.

Para escuchar varias veces, algún tema para escuchar publicly

We were so close to a post racial world before stuff like this nonsense took over the lizard brain of politics. Too many people identify themselves by ethnicity and sexuality, which is weird because neither is an identity, they are merely meaningless adjectives. Michael Kiwanuka appeared on this album. I enjoy and respect Michael's abilities as a performer and songwriter, so I would recommend instead that the listener go and savor his album KIWANUKA instead of this nonsense. That is an album that actually makes interesting melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic music that shares humanity and elevates it by expanding the big tent for everyone rather than vilifying and shrinking the tent with polemics. I'm giving it a 2 simply for the production chops.

Day331 - monaters is a good one

Oh, un album de notre décennie, c’est pas courant! Malheureusement, j’ai l’impression que ça restera pas dans les esprit comme étant un Éternel Banger, les tracks sont tellement dépouillés que j’ai l’impression d’écouter les démos. Les chœurs sont jolies je l’avoue, mais genre, m’en côlisse

Fav: Eternal Life Least Fav: Bow Second half was better imo

I like this - it’s very solange “seat at the table” but more …funky? Wildfires is an obvious standout from some of the other tracks which can get a little repetitive

Musical, yeah it is an interesting modern R&B listen. Not sure if I think there is anything groundbreaking in the musical context. Is it socio/politically essential, don’t think I’m the intended demographic to be qualified to have an informed view on that.

Released in 2020, Sault's mediation on Black Identity is timely to say the least. The message is palpable and positive. The mood is a focused, heavy one. Make no mistake, this is a protest album, but it's also a black empowerment album. Though, I suppose one could make the argument that these are one and the same. "Don't Shoot Guns Down", and "Wildfires" are the highlights.

One of the more political albums I've heard. That doesn't make it bad though as it's quite good. I liked the synths that populate "Untitled". The lyrics are a bit repetitive and the spoken word interludes don't contribute much to the album. "Eternal Life" is the best song of the record. 4 stars for "Untitled (Black Is)".

lol

The songs that weren’t all about black pride were good. But overall a low 2

Really liked it!

Beautiful, surprising.

Cool mix of sounds on here. I’ll have to check out more of their stuff (3.5/5)

This music is fairly minimalist, and depending on what small selection of instruments were chosen for each track, it either works for or against the music. Hard Life has good overlapping vocal harmonies with light percussion, piano, and bass – and very little else. It's also well-mixed and fairly smooth. Other tracks, like Stop Dem, Don't Shoot Guns Down, and Miracles have much worse production quality. The vocal echo effect in many of the songs is very hit-or-miss for me. It works excellently in Hard Life, but is nearly unlistenable in the preceding track, Stop Dem. Another vocal effect I'm not a big fan of is the blurry distortion seen in (e.g.) Wildfires, Monsters, and Sorry Ain't Enough. It's a jarring contrast with the rest of the instrumental, and an exception to the otherwise-good mixing. (Props to Sorry Ain't Enough for emulating Marvin Gaye, though!) The messages in the lyrics are important, but I think they're delivered unconvincingly. Don't Shoot Guns Down, X, and Black Is are egregious examples of this. There's little emotion or even audible comprehension of the lyrics in the singing. It sounds like a very drunk (but average) person reading somewhat enthusiastically from a teleprompter. I still hold that a political message in music needs to be delivered in earnest while still being listenable. Untitled (Black Is) tends towards the latter – listenability – while forgoing the former. 2/5 Key tracks: Hard Life, Sorry Ain't Enough, Pray up Stay Up

Not bad. Decent beats. Some songs were way too repetitive. Just didn’t grab me at all. I was really hoping it would.

Fresh take on self-empowering soul.

Maybe newest album I've encountered on this list? Actually heard this once before, and while I am a bit surprised to find it here I must admit it's a damn cool album. It feels quite political. Nothing for or against that, just an observation. Other than that I'm struggling to find bad songs, most of the album is evenly good! 'Wildfires' feels a bit like a league of its own though, clearly the best track of the album. Overall really solid record. Feels very modern and fresh, a nice breeze on this list compared to all 70-80s rock we've had. Also feels very underrated judging by the listening numbers on Spotify. Strong 4!

SAULT is one of the most interesting bands in the last years and Wildfires is one of my favourite song of 2020s. I also hold a grudge against SAULT after they took down their "Nine" album as I thought it was great! Anyway, this album was really good. Moody, menacing and political. I remember when i first heard Wildfires I was surprised of the subject matter as the song felt more like a ballad. This album really puts the song in to the correct context. While the album has a very high quality over all, as I said Wildfires is one of the greats, I think it just misses a 5 star as I can't really single out any other song I like quite as much on this album.

While I was never sure if I was listening to electronic, Afrobeats, or straight up Pop R&B... I liked it all. A really hidden gem.

An interesting album, especially for the time that it came out.

Really tried to find something here, it’s just not my bag.

(In)appropriately timed album given the state of the union. The act of writing protest songs or albums was a badge of honor back in the 60s/70s, and so it’s interesting to see this being done on this effort as recent as four years ago. I think the voice over parts really just acted as unnecessary filler to the songs themselves that still deliver the intended message. In the end it was just too long, but still a decent listen.

I found this rather dull. Perhaps I didn’t listen close enough but I completely missed whatever message this was trying to deliver. Not terrible beats and performance but also very repetitive. 2.5 and rounding down bc nothing really stood out.

Interesting record to get the day after we (re)elect a racist POS as our President. But I digress… I enjoyed this album. Close to 4* but not quite. Very strong 3. 3.5/5

Untitled (Black Is) lacks that It Factor™️. I hate to say this, because I’m normally a huge fan of this style of soul and R&B, especially from the 21st century, but I could not get into this at all. Sure, it’s well-made, and there’s a couple songs that have a presence, but nothing here stands out loud and proud. Actually, most of this record is a wallflower – a background listen. That might be because of the length and/or the interludes, which seem to aim for a ✨required full listen✨, but even a Record™️ needs a stand out track or three. Untitled has nothing. It’s a tepid, soft, ethereal vibe, and while that may have been the goal, the execution leaves little for me to latch onto in the end. That doesn’t mean SAULT are bad musicians, but rather too refined, too measured. While that might attract a music snob or two, it does little to attract new fans. And considering the sheer number of phenomenal records tackling similar themes and sounds throughout the 2010s that are not represented here, the stark divide between SAULT’s calculated maturity and the actual emotion of, say, Black Messiah, were evident as I listened. I don’t want to call it forgettable, but maybe negligible. It’s fine, but it lacks any real oomph. So many other records give me the same vibe with a little more presence, and I’ll just stick to listening to those.

I 100% support what this album stands for, but sonically it just doesn't do it for me

Thief in the night Tell the truth White lives Spreading lies You should be ashamed The bloodshed on your hands Another man Take off your badge We all know it was murder Murder, murder Murder We are dying, it's the reason we are crying We are crying But we will never show fear Even in my eyes I will always rise In wildfires I ain't never been scared Even through my tears I will always care In wildfires But we will never show fear Even in my eyes I will always rise In wildfires Fucking A. This is a great album, and given what we in America just did in Nov 2024 (show that we are inherently a bunch of shitty racists) it should be celebrated now more than ever. To everyone rating this with 2 stars and saying you're "tired of black identity stuff" you can go fuck yourself all the way out the door.

Too soon, I think. I know better R and B from the period, but this isn't bad. I wonder if we'll be listening to this in another 5 years. I doubt it. But I don't know. Extra point for its message on police brutality and black rights. 3.5. If its still relevant and listened to in 5 more years, I'll give it another point..

Tricky one. It feels too soon to really tell if an album is a real classic or not less than 5 years from release. That said, this one might be a real contender. The political/cultural content is powerful and timely. The sound is quite extraordinary. It has been a long time since I heard a record taking established genres (soul, r'n'b, hip-hop, afrobeat, jazz) and turning them into something new and fresh, not just a mélange of styles. Maybe Massive Attack is the last precedent. I've listened to this three times through in a row, and I am still wrapping my head around it. The singing and playing is also excellent. Does it feel a bit churlish to say that the songs feel a little under-developed, like sketches for something more polished? Many songs are repetitive without seeming to go anywhere. Or do I not quite get this yet? It also has skits, which I really don't like. They never hold up as a listening experience. I will be really interested to see how history remembers this record in another ten years. It might be forgotten, or it might be recognized as the beginning of some whole new movement in music. Time will tell, but it's hard to predict right now. 3.5 stars.

Ik vind dit best lekker. Soulvolle, soms funky, (hiphop) beats met een goede productie. Licht hypnotiserend met af en toe een ASMR-achtig stukje spoken word en door die eerder genoemde fijne productie heeft het ook wel het effect van een warm dekentje. Een soort auditieve expositie. Niet elke track van de (ietwat overdreven) 20 tracks is een voltreffer, maar dat is oké. Tegelijkertijd heb ik wel het idee dat dit album misschien een beetje snel of makkelijk aan deze lijst is toegevoegd. Little Simz - Grey Area staat ook op deze lijst en dat album zorgt er wat mij betreft voor dat deze er eigenlijk niet per se in hoeft. Grofweg dezelfde boodschap, maar dan creatiever en sterker. Qua cijfer kom ik wel op hetzelfde uit. Een 3,5 die ik mede vanwege m'n witte schuldgevoel ga afronden naar een 4. En eerlijk is eerlijk: Ik zit ook nog gewoon een beetje met de Ongelofelijke Touwtjesband, de Fluwelen Ondergrond en natuurlijk Tante Elis in m'n maag. Dan heb ik toch een stuk liever dit aanstaan. Hoogtepunt van het album: "Monsters". Heel dik.

Always skeptical when a recent album appears, but this was released 3 weeks after George Floyd's murder and seemed to encapsulate 2020 pretty perfectly. Strength in unity.

This is the kind of album that makes me glad I am doing this project. When I started listening I wasn’t really won over. I couldn’t really relate to the album. But I thought about how just because I don’t understand the art doesn’t mean it shouldn’t exist. This is a way for me to see into a world that is not my own. Even if I don’t plan on revisiting it, it was important to hear it once. That is what this project should be.

idk i got kind of bored

Super heavy handed with the message here, but the songs where they actually do music are good. The talking bits and repetitive beats made this a slog though. 2.5

I liked about half these songs but I'm gonna go ahead and give an extra star for not being some obscure Britpop or shitty British electronic garbage.

A couple good songs. You have to imagine this one is here to represent the larger movement going on in the United States at the time. There’s a couple good beats but nothing really special compared to its peers. The lyrics as well leave a lot to be desired. Just meh on both fronts and I’m sure there are better albums that represent this movement better. Rating: 2.5

🎧Undeniably important album about blackness and racial injustice, released in the summer of 2020 at the height of the BLM movement. A rich R&B/soup tapestry—some of these songs landed for me, some are pretty meandering. Favorite track: Wildfires

Went into this one "blind" and pleasantly enjoyed it. Strong ethnic pride. 4/5

I really liked the latter half! The vocals are amazing throughout, but it’s r&b after all :-) Favorite track: Monsters

The takes on this album that top the global reviews list right now are hot… From a music-enjoyer’s perspective, I really enjoyed this album. It was easy listening and full of diverse sounds and voices. From a political perspective, I’m grateful I heard this album. I couldn’t find anything online about how quickly it was put together, but I’m curious about when production started.

Congratulations to myself for surviving through the very end.

Good background vibe

Chill, not bad. Prob won't give it another spin b/c it's not my genre, but not bad.

There’s some interesting stuff here, and I see some potential, but too much of this was a kind of cool rhythm with a phrase or statement repeated over and over. For a smooth vibe, it has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Admittedly, this album is targeted at a specific audience to which I do not belong, but I can’t imagine this format getting old for anyone. I do applaud this album for its merit as an artistic expression.

😴

This album is pretty frustrating because it could've been so much better. Cut the interludes (or even make them into actual songs), cut some of the bad or boring songs and you got an easy 5 star. shame.

I appreciate the intent, but at face value the music is not substantial enough to retain attention. The message is clear, but not powerful. I enjoy some of the compositions and overall enjoyed the album.

This got better as it went along IMO. It’s a little early to say this but it feels like a period piece for 2020, the crazy and emotional year that it was.

I feel like ‘Untitled (Black Is)’ is more than just a music album. It is more of an art project that effortlessly blends R&B, soul, and funk in what is essentially an audio museum; embracing the culture, the struggle, the celebration, and future of black people and black culture. It’s a massive tracklist at 20 entries; mostly songs, but also spoken poetry interludes to lead from one track to the next. The lyrics are extremely direct, and the music is very low-fi; yet still grabs you by the shoulders and demands your attention. Rarely do you hear an album hit so many moods and atmospheres and still be a coherent piece. ‘Untitled (Black Is)’ is reflective, it is hopeful, it is wishful, it is somewhat angry, it is happy, and it is brutally observational. Musically it is incredibly multicultural, grabbing sounds and inspiration from the sounds of Africa and incorporating it wonderfully into western R&B sensibilities. I seem to say this a lot - but when it comes statement projects, such as this one, it’s very hard to apply a number to it; because I don’t believe the critical and commercial success of its release was on the mind of the artist while making it. They’re simply using the artistic medium of music as a platform to spread the message, rather than hoping that outlets like Rolling Stone or NME are going to drop it on their top lists of the relevant year. Regardless, ‘Untitled (Black Is)’, left a pretty hard impression on me. Not only is it enjoyable from a musical and production standpoint, but I also believe the topics are incredibly relevant today and an album like this is absolutely needed out in the world. Hell, it was needed years ago, too; and that’s the sad part of it all. It really is a beautiful art piece; and if you go into it with your expectations being set that it is more than just an album to arbitrarily judge, I think people of any culture can appreciate it on some level. 5/5

A power propelled By genre melting music Itself analogy

**Untitled (Black Is)** by the enigmatic collective **SAULT** is an album that stands as one of the most important artistic statements of 2020, capturing the heightened emotions of the Black Lives Matter movement and the broader fight for racial justice. With a release shrouded in mystery, typical of the collective’s modus operandi, the album’s combination of genres, messages, and styles has made it both timely and timeless. This review dissects the album’s core components: its lyrics, music, production, overarching themes, and influence, weighing the pros and cons along the way. ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of *Untitled (Black Is)* is unapologetically bold and direct. The album's lyrics take a militant and empowering stance against racism and injustice while celebrating Black identity and resilience. SAULT’s songwriting is varied: at times reflective, at times confrontational, but always purposeful. Many tracks carry a conversational tone, almost as though SAULT is engaging listeners in a dialogue about the Black experience, both historically and in the present moment. On "Hard Life," the lyrics speak to the struggles faced by Black people due to systemic racism, calling out injustice in a straightforward yet poignant manner: *“It's a hard life / When they try to take your rights / It’s a hard life / When they lie in black and white.”* The blend of first-person and collective experiences in the lyrics adds to the universality of the message. *Untitled (Black Is)* doesn’t only point to pain but also emphasizes solidarity, resilience, and the need for collective action, as heard in *"Wildfires"* with the chorus, *“You should be ashamed / The bloodshed on your hands / Another man / Take off your badge / We all know it was murder.”* A recurring theme in the lyrics is one of defiance. On songs like *"Stop Dem"*, SAULT doesn’t merely suggest resistance but demands it, warning of the rising tide of unrest: *“You can’t stop us now.”* The directness of this message is underscored by the album’s refusal to mince words, reflecting the urgency of the moment. Yet, amid the activism, the lyrics also dwell on themes of self-love and empowerment. On tracks like *“Miracles,”* the lyrics veer into affirmations of beauty and strength in Blackness. The balancing act between lamenting societal failures and celebrating identity gives the album a nuanced emotional scope. **Pros:** - Lyrics are impactful, addressing themes of race, injustice, and empowerment with directness. - The balance between political commentary and personal reflections gives the album emotional depth. - SAULT’s use of simple yet evocative language makes the album accessible while still maintaining poetic richness. **Cons:** - The political nature of the lyrics, while powerful, might feel repetitive to some listeners as the themes recur throughout the album without a significant shift in tone. - The lack of individual song credits makes it difficult to attribute lyrical nuance to specific voices within the collective, making some songs feel less distinct lyrically. ### **Music** Musically, *Untitled (Black Is)* is a rich tapestry of genres, pulling from soul, gospel, funk, Afrobeat, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. The instrumentation and arrangements feel deeply connected to the roots of Black music traditions, which underscores the album’s thematic exploration of Black identity and culture. The album opens with *"Out the Lies,"* which sets a solemn, meditative tone with its minimalist production and spoken-word delivery. The use of sparse, airy synths and quiet percussion enhances the weight of the words being delivered. This kind of subtlety in the arrangements pervades much of the album, allowing the lyrics to take center stage while still offering musically engaging backdrops. One of the standout musical features of *Untitled (Black Is)* is its use of rhythm. Tracks like *"Don't Shoot Guns Down"* and *"Bow*" incorporate percussive elements that are both hypnotic and rooted in African musical traditions. This rhythmic grounding serves as a reminder of the resilience embedded in the music, with polyrhythms and syncopated beats acting as musical metaphors for resistance. There are moments where the instrumentation swells and becomes more urgent, particularly on tracks like *"Wildfires"* and *"Monsters."* These tracks utilize sharp bass lines, crisp snares, and deep grooves, reflecting the tension inherent in the themes of the album. The mix of live instrumentation and programmed elements creates a dynamic soundscape that keeps the listener engaged, even when the tempo slows. Vocal harmonies are another key musical feature. In many tracks, gospel-inspired vocal arrangements underscore the messages of hope and unity. On *"Sorry Ain’t Enough,"* the layering of vocals gives the track a spiritual quality, blending with the minimalist instrumental arrangement to deliver an emotional punch. These harmonies help soften some of the harder-edged lyrical themes, offering moments of musical beauty amid the weighty subject matter. **Pros:** - The album excels in genre-blending, paying homage to Black music traditions while still sounding contemporary. - The rhythmic complexity and use of vocal harmonies add depth to the overall sound. - Minimalist yet impactful arrangements allow the lyrical content to remain at the forefront without compromising musical interest. **Cons:** - At times, the subtlety of the music might feel underwhelming for listeners seeking more dynamic or high-energy tracks. - Some listeners might find the lack of distinct musical peaks and valleys across the album to be a downside, as many tracks operate within a similar sonic range. ### **Production** The production of *Untitled (Black Is)* is deliberate, with a clear emphasis on creating a sound that is both intimate and expansive. The album’s stripped-back aesthetic is a hallmark of SAULT’s production style, allowing space for both the vocals and the messages to breathe. There is a sense of cohesion throughout the album’s 20 tracks, achieved by the consistency in the sound design. Much of the production focuses on creating mood rather than relying on traditional song structures. This is evident in tracks like *"Miracles"* and *"This Generation,"* where ambient textures and slow-building crescendos replace more conventional arrangements. The lo-fi, raw nature of the production gives the album an organic feel, as though it were crafted in real-time in response to the events of 2020. There’s a certain immediacy to the way the album sounds, reflective of the urgency of its themes. The use of distortion and effects, particularly on vocals, is also notable. Tracks like *"Stop Dem"* and *"Hard Life"* feature heavily processed vocals that add a layer of grit, mirroring the rawness of the lyrical content. However, these effects are used sparingly, ensuring that the vocal delivery remains impactful and not lost in the mix. Another aspect worth noting is the album’s pacing, which is carefully managed through the production. The transitions between tracks are smooth, often blurring the lines between songs and creating a seamless listening experience. This fluidity is essential to the album’s impact, as it demands to be heard in its entirety rather than in isolated parts. **Pros:** - The production is cohesive, enhancing the album’s thematic content without overwhelming the lyrical or musical elements. - The use of ambient textures and minimal arrangements creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy. - Smooth transitions between tracks make for a fluid, cohesive listening experience. **Cons:** - The understated production might feel repetitive or monotonous to some listeners, especially over the course of 20 tracks. - Some tracks feel like sketches rather than fully realized songs due to the minimalism in the production. ### **Themes** The overarching theme of *Untitled (Black Is)* is the celebration of Black identity in the face of oppression. The album is steeped in the ethos of resistance, hope, and community. At its core, *Untitled (Black Is)* is a protest album, but it’s also an album about love—love for oneself, love for one’s community, and love as a form of defiance. Racial injustice, systemic racism, and police violence are key thematic pillars. These are especially evident on tracks like *"Wildfires"* and *"Don't Shoot Guns Down,"* which address the trauma inflicted on Black communities. Yet the album is not purely rooted in despair; it’s also an affirmation of Black beauty and resilience, as showcased on tracks like *"Miracles"* and *"Monsters."* There is also a spiritual element to the album’s themes, with several songs invoking religious or quasi-religious language and imagery. *"Pray Up Stay Up"* and *"This Generation"* draw on gospel traditions, framing resistance as a form of spiritual practice. This fusion of the political and the spiritual gives the album an added dimension, framing the fight for justice as a moral imperative. **Pros:** - The album’s themes are timely and relevant, providing a powerful commentary on racial injustice. - The balance between political protest and personal affirmation adds emotional complexity to the album. - Spiritual and religious undertones enrich the thematic scope, adding depth to the call for justice. **Cons:** - Some listeners might find the thematic focus narrow, as the album’s messages of resistance and empowerment dominate throughout without much thematic deviation. - The directness of the messaging leaves little room for interpretation, which might feel limiting for those seeking more subtle or abstract reflections. ### **Influence** *Untitled (Black Is)* has had a profound impact, both within the music industry and beyond. Released during a time of global protests against racial injustice, the album quickly became a soundtrack for the movement. Its combination of activism and artistry speaks to a long tradition of protest music within Black music history, drawing comparisons to artists like Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, and Fela Kuti. While the album itself is deeply rooted in Black musical traditions, its influence extends beyond genre. The album’s success has helped bring greater attention to SAULT’s brand of anonymous, collective music-making, challenging conventional ideas about the role of the artist in the public eye. **Pros:** - The album’s influence on the cultural landscape, particularly within the context of 2020’s racial justice movements, is undeniable. - *Untitled (Black Is)* stands as an important contribution to the tradition of Black protest music, connecting past and present struggles. **Cons:** - While the album has certainly influenced political and musical discussions, its anonymity and lack of individual recognition may limit its lasting impact on the broader music industry. ### **Conclusion** In conclusion, *Untitled (Black Is)* by SAULT is a bold, urgent, and powerful artistic statement. Its strengths lie in its unapologetic lyrical content, genre-blending music, and cohesive production, all of which serve to amplify its thematic focus on Black identity, resistance, and resilience. While the album’s directness and minimalism may not appeal to all listeners, it is undoubtedly one of the most important albums of its time, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of Black life in the 21st century. **Pros:** - Lyrically impactful, addressing relevant and urgent social issues. - Musically diverse, drawing on various Black musical traditions. - Cohesive production that enhances the emotional and political weight of the album. **Cons:** - Some listeners may find the album’s repetitiveness and lack of dynamic shifts limiting. - The collective’s anonymity may detract from individual moments of lyrical or musical brilliance.

I was happy to finally see an album from this decade on the list, and for the most part enjoyed it. The lyrics were a bit too churchy for my taste in places, but all around worthy of making the cut.

Second quietest political album this week. A good companion to What’s Going On.

It's fine. Not really my thing.

Honestly, it feels like this album was just made for the sake of being made. Maybe it doesn’t hit the right spot for me because I’m just an Asian kid that lives in a country where racial divide isn’t really a thing. Cool as art

I don't think I'm the target audience for this album.

I had never heard of this band before, I really enjoyed this and will listen to more, thanks 1001 albums.

The melodic stuff is quite nice, the rest very boring.

Overall, there are some interesting and decent songs. While a few of the messages work well others come across as sloppy and a bit haphazard, lacking cohesion at times. 2.5..

I guess I can understand why it’s on the list. There are a couple tracks that come together but much of this feels like it needed a few more iterations of editing or something to tighten up. Not unhappy to have listened but won’t return to it.

Some of the songs had a good groove. I got annoyed by the talking.

Long and sort of same-y the whole way through. I got it in the first 10 songs, didn't need the rest. Not really for me, probably won't play again.

An important political commentary on what it means to be black in the 21st century. Interesting lyrics and nice vocals, with plenty of variety in style across the tracks. Influences of soul, funk, r&B and gospel The songs themselves don't really grab me but it belongs on the list

3.2 1x

What an interesting album. Not normally my thing but I found it intriguing - a great one to include.

story

The backing music is great. I like the mantras. But there needs to be more. Most of these tracks are JUST the mantra, or just a total waste of track time. Like, there needs to be some more here. Also, all the God stuff is cringe af.

A great mix of lyricism and instrumentals that details a life and existence I couldnt possibly fathom. Hints of funk and gospel, it runs through several different sounds and hits all the marks. Simply put, a beautiful album with a strong message.

Fired this one up on a road trip “What kind of album is it?” My wife asked “I don’t know” Literally 5 seconds into the album “It’s an album about black excellence”

Too generic.

A bit surprising to see such a recent album on the list. Anyway, I remember being quite impressed by this album, and I still like the sound of it today. However, the lyrics are quite cringy, especially the spoken word bits in between some of the songs.

When this album came out, it immediately grabbed me. It's beautiful, accessible, variable, fragmentary, yet very coherent. The production is excellent and it is stuffed with nice and subtle sounds. A couple of years later I'm still deeply impressed.

I don't think I am the target audience for this one but it sounds great.

What a refreshingly original band. Was captivated already by the first song, and I was able to quickly recognize Cleo Sol was the singer since I recently heard her solo album. I thought this was a very cool listen! Reminded me a little of Zero 7 & Massive Attack. No one particular song stood out but the album overall was great!

Fun fact: SAULT are actually a bunch of white guys! If only they put as much effort into the music as they did the message.

Interesting- and beautiful in parts. Maybe too early to decide whether it is a classic?

This was interesting, and the production value was high. I didn't love it, but I'm glad to have heard it. 3.3

A delightful one off album for me. I'm glad to hear it.

I’ve got a feeling this one is going to linger. So, I like it plenty now, but figure I’ll love it this time next year

Thoughts before listening: I know this made a lot of best of lists when it came out. I also know that its gotten some pretty harsh criticism from this project's Reddit channel. I feel like I listened when it came out and it wasn't really for me. Review: This is pretty good. Sure its too long and the spoken word bits are somewhat distracting, but the actual songs on here are enjoyable. Lots of good beats, a nice variety of sounds, and some really catchy tunes. My favorite tracks are "Stop Dem" and "Bow". 3-stars

Albums under 10 years old should have to be added to the book by a committee. Rob just can’t be trusted to choose newer albums on his own. The last song was the only one that stood out to me in anyway. And it was different than the rest of the album by quite a bit.

This NPR-ass bullshit is example infinity for why Brits can’t do hip hop. Wish I could give it zero stars.

There was nothing soulful or funky about this album. I suppose the message behind the music is meant with good intentions but this blows. The production is shit, the mixing is horrendous, and it felt so damn long for 56 minutes. The attempt at being "unapologetically black" is laughable. Piggybacking off the BLM movement this misses the mark so bad. A weak effort at trying to make something radical and inspiring. Best - Wildfires Worst - most of the album 1.50/5

Did nothing for me. I found it boring a flat.

Langweilig Langweilig Langweilig Fazit: Langweilig

A dreamy RnB Hip Hop sound punctuated by the Black Lives Matter movement in the US particularly. SAULT highlight the plight of the black person in a more modern context than some others I have previously listened to throughout my 1001 Albums journey. Not quite what I'd normally reach for in terms of music, however it's hard not to appreciate what they have done to highlight their plight. Best: Wildfires Worst: Bow

This was a good surprise. It felt like it was made by real musicians and real artists. A bit 'Kanye-derivative' sometimes I guess. Monsters was probably my favourite track but it was also kind of out of place with the rest of the record. Overall very good though.

..

This is the LaCroix of R&B, and maybe even music in general. This is muzak that thinks it has something to say. Repeating the words “Don’t Shoot Guns Down” over and over doesn’t make it meaningful. An annoying experience that unfortunately I can’t rate higher than a 1.

Take some time to fully get into this record. But it was worth it, lots of beautifully crafted songs, different styles, great voices and stylish. Definitely a new favorite.

I don't like soul, nor Disco, yet I found I grooved to some of these songs. It wore on me as it went along, but the few that I vibed with added a star to my rating.

My star rating here is based on the music alone, and I thought this was a great record. Especially the way it was produced—comes off as living and breathing in a way that ultra-digital pop/r&b rarely does. But here’s my main thought: sometimes I bristle at music that carries a really on-the-nose political message. Not that it bothers me that an artist wants to express their political views, but more just that I don’t think pop music is the best medium for axe-grinding. But man oh man, I read some reviews for this one and realized it’s cool and good sometimes when an artist puts it out there on-the-nose. Listen, if you heard this record and your main thought was “This is RACIST MUSIC”, you’re a dweeb and a crybaby and you should read a book. This album, apparently, does its job. Makes the point it wants to make.

Gonna have to agree with a number of other reviewers here and say that this album has some interesting moments but the repetitiveness and minimalism of the "songs" plus all the interludes/affirmations/ASMR things really detract from what could have been a decent album. I get it, this isn't meant to resonate with me. 2 or 3 cool songs and 17 duds. Not a great ratio. Favs: Monsters, Stop Dem, Eternal Life

This was an interesting album. It's a little hard to describe or categorize. Definitely feels like a powerful message, and the vocals and music were good, but I am not sure they are necessarily songs at times. Still, a worthwhile listen.

Definitely not for me.

I wanted to like this, but it just fell flat for me. It too often felt contrived, though Monsters was a standout track for me.

I think I could have gone my life without hearing this.

Underwhelming. Was fine.

Very simple music but powerful messages.

This was very clearly not for me, a white man in his 30s, but I can see it’s important to the zeitgeist of summer 2020. The music itself isn’t bad, but not what I’d seek out independently.

Truly terrible. Boring and pretentious.

Very good. Perfect even, sunlight in one of my most cloudiest days and nights. Thank you, 9.8/10.

Genuinely one of the worst albums I've ever heard in my entire life. This record is embarassingly pathetic. It tries way way too hard to be super "deep" and "a true statement!" that they forgot the most important thing about music. Making it listenable. This fails spectacularly especially in songs like "Don't Shoot Guns Down", which features the saddest attempt at "singing" I've ever heard. The short lyrics are read off like a fast food worker who just saw 30 people walk in right before closing. The saddest part is, outside of Michael Kiwanuka saving "Bow" and "Wildfires", this album was actually not bad before "Don't Shoot Guns Down". After that though, and especially after "Bow", this album nosedives. Every song's lyrics just get worse and worse. I swear they stenonographed a poetry slam night and called it a day. Garbage. Every song also goes on for far far too long. "Black" is an especially pathetic song that runs on 2 minutes longer with pretty much no change from within the first minute. None I can remember at least. Vocals are terribly recorded, having a dumb echo and distortion sound nearly every song. How is this considered essential exactly? The message? There are 1001 albums out there with this message that are 10x better than this pile of shit. Hell, there were probably 1001 albums released in 2020 alone thaf were better than this and also had the same message. I'm not even sure I'd put it anywhere near a list of essential SAULT albums from 2020. This record fucking sucks. What a waste of an hour

This album I think is by far the hardest I’ve had to rate so far a little over 500 albums in. I don’t usually look at reviews until I’ve made mine, but this one helped me put thoughts I had into words. Despite only being 4 years ago, this feels like a timepiece in the fact that it would’ve been much more powerful during the time it was made for. That being said, I really flip-flopped throughout this album, because for as much good instrumentation and creativity, there is just as much repetitiveness and not-so-blunt delivery. There have been albums on this list, whether it be Beyoncé, Fela Kuti, Grandmaster Flash or even my last album the day before this MIA, and also artists that I haven’t gotten/aren’t on the list, range in decent to great delivery of their messages, and mantain their musical proficiency. I agree with the sentiment that Wildfire is the best song out of this album, and would be most listenable, removed from the context of the album. I don’t have a problem with the overall idea of the album, even though at times it feels lazy in the way it’s put to the listener, I just feel there are a lot better ways to convey Black Excellence/empowerment , especially with how rich the history of music is, and how much of it is owed to African/African-American artists. A great example in modern times is GREY AREA- Little Simz, another album on this list released 1 year earlier, (and one of my biggest regrets of giving a lower rating than it deserves.)

Nope

UGH.

If you’re into contemporary social justice and politically charged lyrics, then this album will likely resonate with you. Personally, I’m a bit burned out on the constant news and media barrage, but I have to say, the music and production on this album are top-notch. It has a dark, synth-driven atmosphere and leans heavily towards an experimental and innovative vibe.

Liked the vibes, but it was pretty repetitive. It also felt simultaneously preachy and shallow.

If it weren't for the godawful speaking in certain songs, this album would be great. Unfortunately though, the speaking voice smothers any chance this album had of being remotely good...

No one in this group knows how to write lyrics. Bit of a cringefest tbh. "Black, black, black, black etc" is not saying anything of any worth. I absolutely support equality for everyone but this was just fucking dull with extremely cliché lyrics.

Definitely worth listening to.

Clearly a strong piece of black cultural sound and withstanding from 2020.

9/10 Have heard this before, but forgot just how good it is. Amazing stuff. Sounds both classic and forward-looking at the same. Loads of soul, R&B, funk, African influences with a modern eye. Music and production is elite. Vocals are great, lyrics are on-point. Sounds like a classic American album but it is British. Really gets the point and politics though. Second half is absolutely perfect. Best: Eternal Life

Conceptually interesting but not compelling.

The album has the advantage of being relatively recent, but it felt incredibly fresh and unique compared to some of the recent albums

A chill and enjoyable listen, not an artist I'd heard of before and surprised by the quality

I had to give it a few listens to appreciate it. And it hold up!

I felt too Caucasian to be listening to this. Like i was listening to something i shouldn't have been. Rating for the melodies & music.

I'm white but damn

The historical importance of this album outlining the black lives matter protests its reflected really clearly, but taking this album out of context it still slaps. The vocals are beautiful and the drummer is cracked. With and without background this album is really really beautiful.

I didn't enjoy this album at all. Lyrically and musically, it's not there. Couldn't get past Wildfires.

Wildfires, Hard Life, Eternal Life, Monsters, Miracles, Hold Me

Not really my vibe. Not a dance hall guy

Kinda digging it.

Nice soul. A bit too playful for my taste (more "real songs" would have been nice). But definitely worth listening to.

Amazing. Never heard before. Wow

One of the albums that got me through the great lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Obviously it's heavily inspired by another momentous event of that period, the murder of George Floyd, and that heaviness is really apparent throughout. Above all though, it's just a really listenable album, and a great gateway into a genre that isn't necessarily one I'm comfortable in.

I enjoyed this.

This is a nice album, I enjoyed some songs more than others. However I would likely never listen to the entire project again.

Never heard of this group. I do enjoy a soulful, themed protest album. I liked many of the songs and really enjoyed the message. Not my favorite, but a decent album.

The drums and bass on this record are immaculate. The “Black excellence” theme got tired around the second half of the project due to the lack of new perspectives. Overall, I enjoyed the listen, wildfires was top tier. 8.2/10

Die Botschaft ist ETWAS plakativ. Der Sound ok. 2,7

Interesting as part of the wider output, not sure it stands up enough on its own to justify it's inclusion here

Took a while for me to warm to it but I ended up really enjoying this album. It’s experimental hip hop with some other genres like afrobeat thrown in. And a sprinkle of motivational affirmations for black people.

Exceptional.

Amazing

I freaking loved this. the soulfulness, the beat, the funk, the samples. 60-70s gospel music is one of my favorite genres and this has a similar message. Adding the whole thing

This was great! SAULT has a bunch of albums from the last 4_5years. Everything I’ve heard has been this good

A very powerful album signifying the importance of strength through unity. The album focuses on the theme of racism, and was released shortly after the death of George Floyd. SAULT released the album initially for free with all proceeds from subsequent sales going to charity. They released a second album, "Untitled (Rise)", 13 weeks later which continued the theme of this album. SAULT are known as a "music collective" moreso than a band. Their style could be called neo-soul with electronic/house influences. There are elements of R&B, jazz, funk, electronica, and soul in this music. It is a harmony of so many different styles that it is hard to nail down. Part of the beauty of this album though is the fact that so many genres and styles of music can come together to speak out in unity about systemic racism and police brutality. Favourite songs: Bow, Wildfires, Don't Shoot Guns Down, Eternal Life Least favourite songs: June Child 5/5

I liked this but definitely could have been trimmed down it’s too long

Ummm, I don’t know. Some of these songs were good, but most were very repetitive and too talk-singing for my taste.

The sound is very fresh, if not the lyrics a bit unpoetic, but very likely that was intentional.