Washington, DC-raised, London-based phenom Jalen Ngonda is set to release his highly anticipated sophomore album Doctrine of Love on June 5 via Daptone Records. Alongside the announcement, Jalen shares the album’s title track, a rousing and candid exploration of love’s highs, lows, and enduring gravity.
Reflecting on the track, Jalen says: “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… ‘Doctrine’ to me was a word no-one ever uses. I took it to be like a certificate, the ‘Certificate of Love.’ I just write the song. The listener can interpret it however they want.”
Doctrine of Love builds on the critical success of his debut album Come Around and Love Me, praised by The Guardian, NPR, and The FACE. Recorded over sessions in Brooklyn and Riverside, CA, with producers Vince Chiarito and Michael Buckley, the album blends contemporary soul with gospel-tinged vocals and modern pop sensibilities. Jalen describes the album’s ethos:
“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.”
Since his debut, Jalen has captivated audiences worldwide, appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Graham Norton, and Later with Jools Holland, while his viral single “If You Don’t Want My Love” has amassed over 253 million streams. He has toured extensively, opening for Thee Sacred Souls, Freddie Gibbs, and Olivia Dean, and collaborating with Jordan Rakei and Gorillaz on The Mountain.
Jalen will also headline his own European tour starting October 2 in Amsterdam, following Australian and UK shows, with festival appearances including Love Supreme (UK), North Sea Jazz (Rotterdam), and Mad Cool (Madrid).
Listen to the title track from Doctrine of Love now and stay tuned for more from Jalen Ngonda as he continues to redefine contemporary soul music.
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