Sault Aiir

Sault - Aiir is one of five albums released by the collective Sault on November 1, 2022. This album serves as a companion piece to Air, released earlier in April 2022, and follows a similar classical and orchestral approach. Aiir diverges from the band's more familiar funk, soul, and Afrobeat sound and instead emphasizes a more ethereal, cinematic style with orchestral and choral elements, offering a peaceful, meditative listening experience.

Like Air, Aiir is heavily influenced by classical music, featuring lush string arrangements, choral vocals, and serene soundscapes. The album has a strong focus on minimalist orchestration, blending elements of neo-classical, ambient, and spiritual music. It creates an atmosphere of reflection, calm, and transcendence, with a sense of grandeur and emotional depth. The music on Aiir evokes feelings of nature, spirituality, and human connection.

Thematically, Aiir builds on concepts of nature, space, and spiritual awakening, focusing less on direct social commentary than some of Sault’s other albums. It invites listeners into an experience of contemplation, serenity, and cosmic beauty.

Key Tracks:

"Hopes" – A track with soaring orchestration, featuring delicate strings and vocal harmonies, evoking feelings of aspiration and beauty.
"5am" – This track captures the stillness and calm of early morning, with a meditative quality that invites introspection.
"Healing" – A spiritually charged song that feels like a soundtrack to emotional and physical restoration, utilizing choral vocals and peaceful arrangements.
Connection to Air: While Aiir follows the same stylistic cues as Air, it offers its own distinct mood, acting as a meditative follow-up to its predecessor. The two albums together showcase Sault’s ability to craft music that feels both experimental and deeply evocative, extending beyond traditional genre boundaries.

Although Aiir received less mainstream attention compared to Sault's other albums, it was appreciated for its artistic bravery and its contrast with the group’s typically groove-oriented releases. Critics admired its classical influences and the way it could create an immersive, calming environment for listeners, positioning it as one of Sault’s more reflective and experimental works.

Sault - Aiir is a continuation of the collective’s exploration of new sonic territories, emphasizing their genre-fluid approach and artistic ambitio