May 29, 2026 |
Jalen Ngonda doesn’t just make soul music, he lives it. It’s an obsession that began when the Maryland-born musician was gifted “a shitload” of seven-inch vinyl records by his grandmother from legendary Stax and Motown record labels. Since then, he has been a devoted crate digger, searching for soul tracks wherever he goes. The practice is instinctual for Ngonda, driven by an adventurous spirit and a desire to honour his soulful forebears. But when it comes to his own music, he brings these inspirations straight into the now.
The multi-instrumentalist (Ngonda plays guitar, drums and keyboards on top of his signature, attention-snatching falsetto) is self-taught and ambitious. After crossing the Atlantic in 2014 to study at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, Ngonda began recording his own music and moved to London in 2018. In 2022, he signed with Daptone Records and, a year later, released his debut album Come Around And Love Me, which featured the viral track If You Don’t Want My Love. Since then, Ngonda has sold out the 6000-capacity Hammersmith Apollo, supported Olivia Dean and Thee Sacred Souls, and collaborated with Gorillaz. Now, he’s ready to cement his reputation as a modern day Marvin Gaye with the release of his sophomore LP, Doctrine of Love on June 8.
Where his debut had a more early-’70s feel, distilling the funky rhythms of Curtis Mayfield and Delfonics into a contemporary soundscape, Ngonda prescribes his new release as a child of 1968 (he’s a fan of these specifics – more proof of his encyclopedic knowledge of the genre). The title track, Doctrine of Love, acts as the musical template for the album. Inspired by the musically bursting freedom of James Brown, Ngonda declares his own bittersweet philosophy on romance. Over a swinging rhythm of spitting drums and rousing trumpets, the singer’s impassioned yelps posit “You had to pay the price, make the sacrifice” and “You’ve had the ecstasy with the misery”.
This poignancy continues throughout the record but doesn’t take away from Ngonda’s healthy range. There are dancefloor-filling sensations complimented by softer singles, and gospel and doo wop-laden tracks certain to get your toe-tapping. It may be a new chapter for Ngonda, but his foundation is stronger than ever, ready to launch his artistry to new heights. Here, we chat to Jalen Ngonda about Doctrine of Love, his favourite thing about performing live and his ideal Saturday night.
1. Your second album Doctrine of Love is coming out June 8 – what is your doctrine of love?
Personally I don’t have a doctrine of love that differs from the fact that you should be compassionate to others.
2. If you had to save one track from Doctrine of Love from a burning building, what would it be and why?
I would try to save them all because they are all my babies. But Good Good Love would be the first hand I would grab.
3. You’re just about to kick off a series of in-store shows before the album release – what’s your favourite thing about performing in these intimate settings?
I would say my favourite is that it reminds me when I started out when it was just me and a guitar
4. What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
The people and the connection I have with them while playing.
5. What’s one thing you’ve seen from stage that you’ll never forget?
When we played in Oslo supported Olivia Dean. Half of the stadium was waving their phone torches from side to side lol.
6. What’s your go-to for getting over a breakup?
Secretly die inside while pretending to be fine in front of friends on a night out.
7. What’s your ideal Saturday night?
Going to watch a gig of local bands or watching SNL.
8. What’s one message you hope listeners are left with after hearing Doctrine of Love?
There’s no message behind the album. I just want people to go home with it and to enjoy it in all honesty.
9. If you could collab with any other artist, who would it be (dead or alive)?
Burt Bacharach or Brian Wilson.
10. What’s coming up for you that you’re excited for?
The album finally being out on the shelves and in peoples phones.
Photography by Rosie Cohe.
