Album of the Week: Jalen Ngonda- Come Around and Love Me ★★★★★ (5/5)
Explore a transition into the feel good world of Soul, but not for nostalgia... Jalen Ngonda has imposed a precedent of a revival in the future of traditional R & B with UK influence.
If you had told me that one of my favorite albums in 2024 would be a newly released soul classic, I would have been skeptical. In an era where modern hits are often engineered and ghostwritten, we seldom stumble upon a record that genuinely harks back to the golden age of Northern American music. But Jalen Ngonda’s Come Around and Love Me has proven to be just that—a stunning, timeless masterpiece, steeped in analog warmth, and a voice everyone just needs to hear.
Not only does Ngonda reap the essence of 1970's feel good anthems that once spun through salted-floor, Wigan night clubs, but it also prevails as unequivocally original, like a lost gem that has been repolished and exposed to the world. He shows emotional vulnerability, paying homage to legends like Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye in his delivery, all while mixing rich bass grooves and sweeping melodies without stretching to an imitation of Songs in the Key of Life.
Jalen N'gonda Performs 'If You Don't Want My Love' at TRNSMT Festival 2024.
As the Vinyl hits the groove and begins to revolve, the title track acts as the bedrock of the album, applying the vintage, clean guitar tones to emulate the warmth of early R&B. Ngonda smartly pushes these clean, nostalgic riffs to the background, allowing his smooth, velvety vocals to take the spotlight. What distinguishes his voice, though, is the way he blends its natural softness with a hint of grit, creating a captivating contrast. This fusion of silky delivery with a raw edge captures the essence of Ngonda’s appeal—melding classic soul influences with a modern twist that feels both timeless and fresh. Next comes "If You Don’t Want My Love," the album's standout track and Jalen Ngonda's most-streamed song; just like that, the album and his career is alive. Unlike the gentle invitation of Come Around and Love Me, this song digs deeper into heartache, giving his sonic identity an entirely different dimension. He taps into the timeless theme of unrequited love, but it’s the way he delivers it that makes this track feel alive and fresh.
Raised in Washington D.C, the Datphone label prodigy relocated his base to Liverpool in the UK, which kept him determined to root his music in what sets him apart from his predecessors; N'gonda's ability to convey his story through simplified, yet resounding lyrics are enough to reign in our heartstrings. He showcases this prowess in the third track Lost, where he reflects upon "a broken love affair", fitting the slowed down tempo, and extending his connective depth with his music without becoming disorientating and dramatic.
Listen to Lost here...
The rest of Come Around and Love Me delivers a meticulously crafted sound that feels both organic and polished. Ngonda’s attention to detail is apparent in every note. The guitar tones, in particular, are a standout—clean, warm, and perfectly balanced. On tracks like "That's All I Wanted From You," the guitar sits just behind Ngonda’s smooth vocals, creating a rich texture that complements his heartfelt delivery. The understated riffs act as a gentle, supportive backdrop, never overpowering but always enhancing the emotional core of the song.
Meanwhile, the basslines are equally impressive, laying down a solid groove that drives many of the tracks. In "Please Show Me," the bass is punchy and tight, locking in with the drums to provide a rhythmic foundation that gives the track its upbeat, danceable feel. The instrumentation across the album is undeniably tight—there’s a sense that every musician knows exactly where they fit into the arrangement, allowing Ngonda’s voice to shine while the band provides the perfect support.
The pacing of Come Around and Love Me is judiciously structured, blending upbeat floor-fillers with slower, reflective tracks. Tunes like "Rapture" pick up the tempo with vibrant energy, while "So Glad I Found You" offers a more relaxed, mellow feel. Toward the end, the closer "What A Fool Believes" slows things down, providing a reflective and emotional finish. This balance of energetic and introspective moments keeps the album engaging, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next, making the album cohesive yet never predictable.
Experience Jalen Live
Over the past year, Ngonda has been steadily gaining momentum with live performances, spreading his audiences across Europe and North America. Notably, he has graced stages at renowned venues like La Cigale in Paris and various festivals, impressing with his live renditions of these deeply personal songs. In 2024, Ngonda will be performing at the Roundhouse in London, a prestigious gig that marks his rise as a major figure in the UK music scene. Following this, he will embark on a tour across the U.S., where he’ll bring his modern soul sound back to his motherland in the States.
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Jacob Barclay-Evans