Jalen Ngonda announces new album Doctrine Of Love

Soul musician Jalen Ngonda has announced his sophmore album Doctrine Of Love, set for release on June 5 via Daptone Records.

The news was accompanied by the release of its title track.

"I wrote that track when I was trying to do anything to get out of the studio," said Ngonda.

"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".

He released his breakthrough debut album Come Around And Love Me in 2023. It leaned into the early 1970s sound of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield.

The upcoming Doctrine Of Love will be inspired by the mid-'60s New Orleans R&B, and the grit of Chicago and Detroit soul. Ngonda said "it's no exaggeration to say" that every day of his life he wishes he would wake up in 1964 Detroit, recording with the Funk Brothers.

"But that's not my life," he said.

"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,” he added.

In August 2024, he performed on the West Holts stage at Glastonbury Festival, and returned in June 2025, this time on The Park stage.

Elsewhere, last week Gorillaz released their new album The Mountain, featuring Ngonda on the track 'The Moon Cave'.

Alongside the announcement of Doctrine Of Love, Ngonda also announced his tour, coming to London's O2 Academy Brixton on October 28. The shows will feature support from soul singer-songwriter Brooke Combe.

Pre-sale will start on Wednesday March 11, with the general sale starting Friday March 23 here.

Listen to the album's title track below:

See the full Doctrine Of Love tracklist below:

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