"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."
"The song shows off his howling, raspy tenor; though the verses' minor chords imply a bit of conflict, he lets the sunshine in on the chorus, with 'step right up!' backing vocals and a few commanding belts. It's some sweeping soul music, an appropriate introduction to Ngonda's classic style and expressive voice."
Jalen Ngonda, a Washington D.C.-raised, London-based soul artist, announces his second album Doctrine of Love, following his 2023 debut Come Around and Love Me. The album was created with producers Vince Chiarito and Michael Buckley, drawing inspiration from Motown traditions and Ngonda's church roots. The title track showcases his distinctive raspy tenor with minor-chord verses that brighten into an uplifting chorus. Ngonda cited James Brown as inspiration while recording, describing the creative process as spontaneous and open to listener interpretation. Between albums, he has performed globally, headlined Glastonbury 2025, and collaborated on Gorillaz's recent album The Mountain. He will tour UK and European venues including Mad Cool Festival and Way Out West.
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