This is one of the shorter albums in the five-pak, coming in at less than half an hour. This Is where Cover’s string arrangement mojo kicks in, his Charles Stepney inclination, which is one of the best tools in his box. Massive orchestra and choir here on 4 “AM,” absolute Pixar madness, Valley Drowned By Pipe Malfunction vibes. This is the movie music album, straight up, like Hans Zimmer refracted through some kind of wild Virgil Thomson filter.

Air, the first of five albums enigmatic outfit Sault would release in 2022, was an utter surprise, taking an abrupt musical left turn and substituting the future-dub-soul, spiritual-R’n’B, hip hop-blues and minimalist punk funk of their previous outings with an album of lush, orchestrated contemporary classical music. Not a breakbeat, funky bassline, Brazilian Batucada or soul vocal to be heard at all, the seven tracks that makeup Air are thematic, dramatic, spiritual, celebratory orchestral and choral pieces. Once you get over the initial shock, what unfolds is an intense and uplifting sequence of rich, opulent tracks with wordless stacked choirs, strings, woodwind, brass and orchestral percussion, full of musical ebbs and flows, and moments of tranquillity and crescendo. Another surprise from a band who are somewhat defined by surprises, Air is an audacious and impressive album.