Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe
June 5th, 2026 - Philippines – Soul phenom Jalen Ngonda deepens his soulful legacy with the release of his sophomore album ‘Doctrine of Love’ out now via Daptone Records. Fans can listen to the album here and watch the music video for the focus track, "Burning Temptation", here.
From its opening notes, ‘Doctrine of Love’ is a contemporary conduit for the essence of 60s and 70s soul music, devoid of clichés and rooted in Jalen’s scholarship for that era of music and its legacy. Renowned for his once-in-a-generation voice, Jalen bears an uncanny resemblance to Motown greats, but breathes new life into those sounds through continued exploration and experimenting with elements of contemporary pop and R&B.
“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,” Jalen says, speaking to the balance he strikes between his affinity for the 60s and 70s era of music and expressing himself as a contemporary artist in 2026. “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”.
Jalen Ngonda “Burning Temptation” (Official Video)
Working alongside close collaborators Vince Chiarito and Michael Buckley once again, the new album brims with a proven level of poise and confidence following the success of his critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Come Around and Love Me’. His debut in 2023 triggered a staggering rise, with Jalen making his US TV debut on The ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. His viral hit single “If You Don’t Want My Love” has racked up over 253 million streams to date and he achieved A-list rotation on major radio stations across multiple singles. Jalen has also collaborated with the likes of Jordan Rakei and Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz, who tapped Jalen to be featured on their newly-released album ‘The Mountain’.
Jalen’s new album arrives on the heels of a nonstop tour run which included a stint opening for GRAMMY Award-winner Olivia Dean’s sold out European arena tour, as well as headlining European live dates of his own.
'Doctrine of Love' Tracklisting
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
Listen to 'Doctrine of Love' here
Watch the music video for "Burning Temptation" here
About Jalen Ngonda
Jalen Ngonda is a once-in-a-generation soul artist whose music bridges the golden age of Motown with the urgency of the present day. Born and raised in Maryland, just outside Washington D.C., his journey began at 11 years old when hearing The Temptations on the radio “blew my mind”. From that moment on, he immersed himself in the sound of classic soul.
Self-taught on guitar, drums, and keys, Ngonda first cut his teeth playing drums in church before refining his craft at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). After busking across London and steadily building his reputation as a captivating live performer, he signed to Daptone Records in 2022 — joining a roster that includes Thee Sacred Souls, The Womack Sisters, and Lee Fields — and released his acclaimed debut album, 'Come Around and Love Me', the following year.
The album introduced the world to Ngonda’s remarkable falsetto and timeless songwriting, sparking a rapid ascent. In 2023, he made his U.S. television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, alongside appearances on Later… with Jools Holland and The Graham Norton Show. His breakout single “If You Don’t Want My Love” has since surpassed 253 million streams, while multiple releases earned A-list rotation on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, and Jazz FM.
Ngonda’s rise has been just as powerful on stage. From intimate shows at London’s 300-capacity Moth Club to commanding the 5,000-plus Hammersmith Apollo, he has proven that authentic soul still resonates deeply with modern audiences. He has opened for Thee Sacred Souls, Freddie Gibbs, and Olivia Dean across the U.S. and Europe, sold out headline club dates worldwide, and delivered standout performances at festivals including Glastonbury and We Out Here. Collaborations with Jordan Rakei and Gorillaz — who featured Ngonda on their album 'The Ballad of Darren' — have further cemented his status as one of contemporary music’s most compelling voices.
With 'Doctrine of Love', Jalen Ngonda continues to honor soul music’s legacy while carrying it forward — a modern renaissance soul man with one foot in 1964 and the other firmly in the future.
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