Jalen Ngonda talks the timelessness of soul and new album 'Doctrine Of Love' • Interview • DIY Magazine

It’s unsurprising that Jalen Ngonda cuts a slightly jaded figure as he greets DIY over video call from a Milan hotel room. Right in the middle of a hectic run of headline shows and festivals leading up to his second album ‘Doctrine Of Love’, he’s barely had enough time to do the basics. “I haven’t eaten any breakfast and my brain is so mushed-up right now,” he apologises, still with a warm smile, as we head into late afternoon.

It’s the kind of lifestyle adjustment that the Maryland-born, London-based songwriter has clearly had to get used to over the last three years. By channeling the greats of Motown with his own timeless sound on 2023’s debut full-length ‘Come Around and Love Me’, Jalen rapidly sealed himself as one of modern soul’s most talked-about new voices.

Reflecting on the soaring highs of the last few years - including signing to famed label Daptone, playing a breakthrough set at Glastonbury, and finding viral streaming success - he’d be the first to admit that his calendar is a lot busier these days. “It’s definitely restless but in a good way. I’ve just been keeping busy in terms of touring and getting ready for the album, it’s a lot of work but it’s been fun.”

Rather than dial up any pressure around heading into ‘Doctrine Of Love’, he says that the success of his debut offered greater clarity when he began the writing and recording process this time around. “I just try to keep focused as a songwriter and a performer,” he muses. “I’m very excited to have it out in the world and I’ve got full confidence in the songs.”

That confidence and self-belief is in full bloom across the listen. It was very much a case of trusting his gut instinct rather than pushing to break any new ground. “I didn’t go in pushing for anything in particular, I just wrote what came out. I love listening to old ‘60s soul and that’s reflected through both albums. I’m just trying to be as natural as I can be as a songwriter rather than stage a development.”

Given the songs came together in flashes of spare time in hotel rooms and on the tour bus, he recalls that making ‘Doctrine Of Love’ was very much a scattered process rather than a conscious approach to a bigger body of work. “I toured and played and wrote the album all at the same time,” he nods. “I write music all the time, I don’t stop writing after releasing music, it’s part of my career and it’s my passion.”

“I would have had the songs ready irrespective of whether I was making the album. The second album was fun to record and fun to write. It was a shock for a little bit because the first one was written in the pandemic when all I could do was sit at home and write music. This time around I had to write on the road or when I had some time off.”

“I hope that the music I write inspires people to get out there and be the best person they can be.”

Whatever his formula, it’s clearly one that works. Though heartened by the acclaim so far, outside praise isn’t something he puts too much weight on. “I’ll still be happy with it regardless of how it does. I just like making the music that I like regardless of how it’s perceived. I’ll always be proud of my work because I’m in it for making music. It’s a cherry on the cake if you can level up because the album is doing well.”

It’s clear from the get-go that ‘Doctrine Of Love’ is a record that will only further solidify Jalen as a giant of modern soul. Opener ‘Anyone In Love’ sets the tone as he warns of the trials and tribulations of romance with his majestic warm, vintage vocal: “Anyone in love / Those walks in the park / Will soon lose their spark.”

As its title suggests, it’s a record mainly concerning matters of the heart, and one which takes cues from those who inspired him from a young age. “I just write love songs like everybody else. I think that was just in me having grown up with music from the ‘60s and ‘70s. All of those Motown songs, British invasion songs and pop songs are all just puppy love songs. I listen to that stuff and I just try to come up with the rhymes that work.”

And, just as those artists had the power to unite and bring people together through times of division, considering the state of the world today, does Jalen hope his own music can inspire hope? “I don’t see my music as a vehicle for societal change, I give the credit to the people who actually stand out in the street who fight and protest.”

“I’m just a songwriter, an entertainer, a performer and an artist,” he continues. “I just want people to get satisfaction and enjoyment from my music. I hope that the music I write inspires people to get out there and be the best person they can be. If that happens because they were listening to ‘Doctrine Of Love’, then I’ll feel happy that it gave that perspective to someone.”

“Tomorrow soul music could be irrelevant but I would still do what I do.”

Irrespective of the current climate, it’s impossible not to feel hopeful and lifted when listening to these songs. There’s a sense of jubilant escapism on anthems like the shuffling and sweetened ‘Hang It On The Shelf’ which hits like a burst of serotonin as he sweetly swoons: “In this crazy, mixed up world / Only you can fix that hurt / Just say, just say the word / I’m yours.”

Jalen says that ultimately, there will always be a need for light through music. “I don’t think there’s ever been a time filled with peace and justice. Ever since the dawn of time there’s been this struggle but music has a big part to play in change. I can write a song like Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ but it’s really the people who fight in the street that change the world, I think songwriters just document the times through song.”

With his own sound echoing so many greats, is longevity and staying power important? “I don’t think that deep with my songwriting, I just look forward to growing with my songwriting,” he says.

“It’s up to the audience whether it’s going to be timeless or not. The world can change drastically at any given minute. Tomorrow, soul music could be irrelevant but I would still do what I do. I just want to make music that people enjoy.”

Throughout our chat, there’s a level of humility and modesty as Jalen frequently bats away questions on his own work without any desire to go too deep. He does, however, light up when the topic strays off the beaten track, finding a burst of excitable energy when asked if he’s found any musical treasures on the road lately.

“I’m absolutely a fan and student. The other day we had a day off in Hamburg and we went to a record store and bought dozens of rare Chicago soul and early Motown 45s. I went back into kid mode when I was discovering it all for the first time. That’s the thing I like about the road, I love buying records and clothes from that era. It’s nice to be a bit of a tourist in that sense.”

Now, staring down the barrel of a hectic touring schedule and a massive festival season, Jalen notes he has an element of pride to have the run culminate with a 5000-capacity Brixton Academy show this October. “It’s a very nice feeling to be in those bigger rooms. It makes me feel grateful and it’s especially nice to be performing in Brixton because I spent much of my time in and around the area,” he smiles. “It will be crazy to just see people queuing up around the venue.”

Perhaps owing to his own self-effacing nature or dogged focus on his craft, Jalen’s mind can’t help but flicker back to the bigger picture. “That’s about it though; that gig is an hour and a half and then it will be gone. Then it’s onto a new day and a new pursuit. I try to remind myself that any given moment could be my peak, I just appreciate living in the now because it’s one night then you’re backstage and back on the bus, I try to focus on the long game.”

‘Doctrine Of Love’ is out now via Daptone Records.

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