End an album on a high, banging note, or bring your collection of songs to a gentle close with a moving and beautiful piece of poetry. Sault, the mysterious act with an undefinable sound due to their dizzying array of virtuosic-like genre-hopping, has chosen the latter on their brilliant Untitled (Rise) record.
A closing track, like a conclusion in a life-altering piece of writing, is meant to leave you contemplating the album’s motivations. This record wants to force you into introspection; expects you to check your privilege and become uncomfortable with its black centric message, and simultaneously force the hard-hitting rhythms and arrangements to make it impossible to sit still.
Variety speaks of “Little Boy”, track 15 of 15 on this timely and formidable release, as channeling Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” thematically and aurally. The similarities abound: pushing through adversity and developing grit to be stronger next time life kick’s your ass. Sault speaks of our current period where people that look like them are being innocently killed by supposed good guys.
Young children look up to police. They’re heroes who help. Sault has endured the challenges and has an opposing viewpoint: not all police equally protect all people.
We try to do right by our children. Lead by example, enlighten them how to act and then react in certain situations and protect them from evil. This songstress strives to protect her black son’s innocence as she movingly sings, “When you get older, you can ask me all the questions, and I will tell you the truth about the boys in blue.” For now, take this piano-driven soulful piece and be grateful for today.
MiS | Moving in Stereo 
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