Sault, the prolific R&B-leaning collective helmed by songwriter-producer-multi-instrumentalist Inflo, by no means does something the straightforward manner. Their albums and uncommon live shows are all elaborate and self-financed; they don’t give interviews and even reveal their identities besides within the credit of the albums, though it’s attainable that not all the contributors are credited. The group and Inflo (Dean Josiah Cowl) are enormously prolific: They’ve launched 11 albums and two EPs in 5 and a half years, whereas Inflo has additionally produced tracks or albums by his accomplice Cleo Sol (who dropped two albums final yr), Michael Kiwanuka, Little Simz, Adele and others. Two years in the past the group launched 5 albums on the identical day (one in every of which was fully symphonic); their “9” album was obtainable for simply 99 days; this newest one, “Acts of Religion,” arrived with no advance discover at this time, on Christmas Day, 2024.

And whereas their albums are all totally different from one another, there’s a thread of musical commonality inside them: R&B roots, hovering vocals, sturdy bass, and infrequently a Christian theme to the lyrics. All of these parts are on this newest one, which finds them leaning in a jazzy, early ‘70s R&B path, with massed voices and baroque taste that typically remembers Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” album. Sol is clearly a singer on a number of songs; the tracks are tightly sequenced and a few soar so shortly into the subsequent that it may appear to be somebody hit a fast-forward button.

And because the title clearly states, the lyrics are once more faith-based: “God Will Assist You Heal,” “Pray for Me,” “Soul Clear.” Apparently, these songs had been premiered at one of many group’s London live shows a yr in the past — the primary they’ve ever carried out, and as secretive and elaborate as their albums — which was additionally titled “Acts of Religion.” Forthcoming plans apparently embrace tour dates in North America and Europe and a collaboration with Andre 3000, though strong particulars are exhausting to acquire from the deliberately nameless and secretive group.

However in search of particulars is futile and defeats each the aim and the pleasure: Every new mission from this group solely makes us extra inquisitive about what’s coming subsequent.