Jalen Ngonda ushers in a bold new era with his sophomore album Doctrine of Love, blending classic soul influences with a modern, forward-looking sound.
Jalen Ngonda officially returns with news of his sophomore album, Doctrine of Love, set for release on June 5 via Daptone Records. To mark the announcement, he drops the album’s title track, “Doctrine of Love,” giving listeners their first taste of the upcoming project. Fans can now pre-save the record and stream the new single.
I wrote that track when I was trying to do anything to get out of the studio. I was listening to a lot of James Brown at the time and that was an inspiration. ‘Doctrine’ to me was a word no-one ever uses. I took it to be like a certificate, the ‘Certificate of Love’ – look, I think maybe I meant ‘doctorate’, but we wrote it and recorded it and now it’s a whole thing. I just write the song. The listener can interpret it however they want.
With this release, Jalen fully embraces his dual role as student and trailblazer. The title track defines the album’s emotional core and sonic direction. A crisp finger-snapping beat drives the song forward. Meanwhile, soaring call-and-response harmonies lift the chorus. As the arrangement builds into a gospel-fueled crescendo, the track lands with the energy of a future dancefloor staple.
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A Timeless Sound Reimagined for a New Generation
With Doctrine of Love, Jalen Ngonda opens a bold new chapter. He builds on the momentum of his debut, Come Around and Love Me, which drew strong acclaim from critics and tastemakers alike. This time, he split his writing sessions between Brooklyn and Riverside, California. Along the way, producers Vince Chiarito and Michael Buckley rejoined him. Together, they pushed the modern soul sound they first shaped on his debut even further.
Although the album honors the past, it never feels trapped by it. Instead, Ngonda absorbs decades of influence and reshapes them into something personal and fresh. Each drum break hits with purpose. Each string swell adds warmth. Meanwhile, his falsetto glides with control and emotion. He also pulls from rock and folk, expanding beyond classic soul. As a result, he steps forward as a true renaissance soul artist.
It’s no exaggeration to say that every day of my life I wish I would wake up in 1964 in Detroit recording with the Funk Brothers. But that’s not my life. So what I can do is express my thoughts and my fascination with that sound and period and just be an artist. The doctrine of love holds that every thought and action should be guided first by compassion for others, because love is the highest measure of human worth.
His love for vinyl runs deep. As a teenager, his grandmother handed him a stack of Stax and Motown 45s, and that gift left a mark. Even now, he gravitates toward music from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, rarely venturing past the early ’70s. Onstage, he brings that devotion to life. He favors sharp 1950s tailoring and carries himself with easy confidence. The presence feels timeless, yet never dated.
Looking ahead, Ngonda will bring Doctrine of Love to audiences worldwide in 2026. He plans an extensive run of headline shows, along with major festival stops across Australia, the UK, and Europe.
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Doctrine of Love Tracklist
1. Anyone In Love
2. Doctrine Of Love
3. Mr. Train Conductor
4. Burning Temptation
5. Love Is Gone
6. I Can’t Ever Leave You
7. Hannah, What’s the Matter?
8. Good Good Love
9. Hang It On The Shelf
10. Taken Out Of The Picture
About Jalen Ngonda
Jalen Ngonda stands out as a rare soul artist who fuses Motown’s golden glow with a modern pulse. He grew up in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. At 11, he heard The Temptations on the radio, and the moment changed everything. From then on, he chased the sound of classic soul. He taught himself guitar, drums, and keys.
First, he played drums in church. Later, he sharpened his skills at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). After busking across London and building a loyal following, he signed with Daptone Records in 2022, joining a roster that includes Thee Sacred Souls, The Womack Sisters, and Lee Fields. A year later, he released his debut album, Come Around and Love Me, and introduced his soaring falsetto to a wider audience.
Soon after, his profile rose quickly. In 2023, he made his U.S. television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He also appeared on Later… with Jools Holland and The Graham Norton Show. Meanwhile, his breakout single “If You Don’t Want My Love” surpassed 253 million streams.
Several releases earned A-list rotation on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, and Jazz FM. Onstage, he proved just as compelling. He moved from intimate sets at London’s Moth Club to commanding crowds at the Hammersmith Apollo. Along the way, he opened for Thee Sacred Souls, Freddie Gibbs, and Olivia Dean.
He also performed at major festivals such as Glastonbury and We Out Here. Collaborations with Jordan Rakei and Gorillaz, who featured him on The Ballad of Darren, further strengthened his reputation.
Now, with Doctrine of Love, Ngonda expands his artistic vision. He draws from soul, gospel, rock, and folk, yet shapes each influence into something personal. Every drum break lands with intent. Each string swell adds warmth. His falsetto carries both ache and conviction.
Although he often says he wishes he could wake up in 1964 Detroit recording with the Funk Brothers, he understands his role in the present. Instead of imitating the past, he channels its spirit. With this new album, he honors soul’s legacy while pushing it forward, keeping one foot in history and the other set firmly on tomorrow.
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