In the late 1950s, soul music was born: from the intersection of R&B and gospel, and blending in pop, jazz, doo-wop, rock n’ roll. Musicians and producers from Black communities in Detroit, Philadelphia, Memphis, New Orleans and Chicago quickly took their brand of soul global. Artists such as Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner and the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, became legends. Their hits served as feel-good music that could unite the masses, as well as an arena in which to voice social awareness and messages of change.
Soul’s ascent was dizzying from the ‘60s through the ‘70s: a decade that gifted us some of the greatest albums of all time, in any genre; Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On,’ Aretha Franklin’s ‘Young, Gifted and Black,’ Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life,’ among others. As the decade’s soundtrack embraced an evolution into disco, the classic soul sound paved the way for some of the biggest pop stars in American history, including Prince, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. In the ‘90s, artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill carried the torch for classic soul, blending it with jazz, hip-hop and newer production techniques to create neo-soul.
In recent decades, we’ve witnessed an independent movement to honor the classic soul sounds with a modern approach. Led by Desco Records (which later reformed as Daptone), artists like Sugarman 3 and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings built a vibrant community in and around New York City. The collective of artists who rebooted Lee Fields’s career also backed the late, great Amy Winehouse on ‘Back to Black.’ Charles Bradley made his debut album at age 62, guided by the steady hand of producer (and former Dap-King) Tommy “TNT” Brenneck, of the Budos Band and the Menahan Street Band.
By the end of the aughts, this crew was playing a major role in the modern soul scene. Records like Aloe Blacc’s “I Need a Dollar” broke through to the mainstream, and a new wave of artists — including Leon Bridges, the Black Pumas and Daniel Caesar — established themselves with their own interpretations of the beloved genre.
In recent years, we’ve continued to see more refreshing takes on classic soul. There are retro acts like California’s Thee Sacred Souls and The Altons, blending Latin, jazz and R&B elements into the classic soul sound. We’ve seen soul spread globally, too: international acts like Indonesia’s Thee Marloes, Norway’s Les Imprimés and German-Turkish group Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek are sprinkling sounds as diverse as Anatolian folk, disco and psychedelic pop into the soul palette. And the R&B presence remains strong, with vocalists like LA’s Otis Kane and Pale Jay, Atlanta’s Baby Rose and more lending their rich voices to soul’s soaring tales of love, loss and longing. To capture this new era of soul, we’ve collected tracks that honor the past and present of one of America’s greatest musical contributions, while moving the genre forward.
LISTEN TO THE SOUL'S NEW ERA PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW.
Thee Sacred Souls, “Price I'll Pay”
Taken from their second album for Daptone Records, ‘Got A Story To Tell’, the San Diego trio deliver a sweet, dreamy track about romantic love.
The Altons, “Where Did She Go?”
Taken from their debut album ‘Heartache in Room 14,’ released on Valentines Day this year, the soul-rock group move gently, with subtle Latin and R&B influences.
Baby Rose, “Landslide”
This Atlanta-based singer-songwriter sings this Fleetwood Mac classic over like a true old soul, with a voice that reverberates with emotional depth.
Adrian Quesada, Abraham Alexander, “Like a Bird (Sing Sing Original Soundtrack)” Quesada, of Black Pumas, and Texas-based artist Alexander, collaborate on this tender track, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2024 for Best Original Song.
Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek, “Direne Direne”
Blending Anatolian folk, psychedelia and pop into their soul releases for Catapult Records, this German-Turkish band is a unique prospect within the genre.
Baby Rose, BADBADNOTGOOD, “Caroline” feat. Mereba
R&B vocalists Baby Rose and Mereba link up with the experimental rock group for this soft-hearted track, taken from Rose’s 2024 album of the same name on Secretly Canadian.
Les Imprimés, “With You”
Norwegian artist Morten Martens continues his run on Big Crown Records with this dancefloor-centered soul track, infused with subtle disco-pop loops.
Thee Marloes, “Summer”
The Indonesian three-piece band solidified their blend of pop, jazz and neo-soul on their 2024 debut album, ‘Perak,’ on Big Crown Records.
Sebastian Mikael, Rapsody, “BYMYSIDE”
The New York singer and North Carolina rapper join forces for this silky smooth 2024 track.
Pale Jay, “Baby”
A neo-soul trip with Latin and jazz elements, this track features on Pale Jay’s 2024 album ‘Low End Love Songs’ on Karma Chief Records.
Joy Crookes, “Mathematics” feat. Kano
London soul vocalist Joy Crookes collaborates with UK grime artist Kano for this 2025 orchestral track with classic R&B elements.
Say She She, “Purple Snowflakes”
This 2024 track from the Brooklyn trio is dripping in retro soul elements, giving it a timeless energy.
Otis Kane, “Breathe”
LA-based singer Otis Kane reminds us to just breathe on this searching track, taken from his 2025 sophomore album, ‘Violet.’
JMSN, “Outsider”
Rising Detroit vocalist JMSN goes acoustic for this Sade-esque acoustic track, from his 2023 album, ‘Soft Spot.’
Joy Crookes, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”
This soulful South London singer brings new energy and a refreshing take while honoring the sensibilities of the greats who came before her.
Jalen Ngonda, “Illusions”
For the young D.C. native, who moved to Liverpool for performing arts school, soul music is “an indomitable force of nature.”
Adi Oasis, “Serena” feat. Samm Henshaw
The Brooklyn-based artist, who grew up in the Paris projects, enlisted the help of UK singer Henshaw for this track.
Bobby Oroza, “I Got Love”
Raised by artistic parents – a Bolivian tango singer and a Finnish jazz guitarist – Oroza’s music is romance personified.
Thee Sacred Souls, “Love Is The Way”
“Sweet soul music” from this SoCal trio, who signed to Daptone shortly after their stage debut.
Thee Heart Tones, “Forever & Ever”
From Hawthorne, CA – the same suburb that gave the world the Beach Boys – this youthful six-piece band knows the sound of “Forever.”
Jeymes Samuel, “Sacred Love” feat. Yemi Alade
The singer, stage name the Bullitts, released this on the soundtrack for “The Book of Clarence,” which he directed.
Menahan Street Band, “The Stranger” feat. Victor Benavides
This all-star troupe led by Tommy TNT Brenneck backed the late, great Charles Bradley. On this track, they team with Los Yesterdays front man, Victor Benavides.
Thee Marloes, “True Love”
This trio of newcomers from Indonesia, led by the sultry voice of keyboardist Natassya Sianturi, bring some slinky flair to classic soul.
Los Yesterdays, “Louie, Louie”
Los Yesterdays started making psychedelic -tinged soul in a garage in LA; they later teamed with Daptone staples Gabe Roth and Tommy TNT Brenneck to produce earworm tracks including “Louie, Louie.”
The Sha La Das, “Silver Linings”
Tommy Brenneck knew this family band – a Staten Island dad and sons who played with Charles Bradley – were a natural Daptone act.
Thee Lakesiders, “Can't Fool Me Twice”
“How many fools do you have tied to a string?” singer Itzcalli Marie croons on this instant bilingual classic from 2021.
Bryony Jarman-Pinto, “Moving Forward (Edit)”
Backed by lush strings, this gently funky track from 2024 showcases the British musician’s winsome vibe.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, “City Federal Building”
More than a decade entrenched at the heart of modern soul, these Alabamians released their fifth album in 2023.
Durand Jones & The Indications, “Sexy Thang”
With partners Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein, Jones makes music to help people “close their eyes and forget where they are.”
Les Imprimés, “I'll Never Leave”
The soul-revival project of Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Morten Martens features a healthy dose of doo-wop backing vocals.
Jason Joshua, “Poor Boy”
From Miami, this singer and his band, the Beholders, live up to the frontman’s nickname: “La Voz de Oro.”
The Altons, “Float”
There’s a distinct Morricone-tinge to this lush track from this Latin-flavored soul group from the LA gateway city of Maywood.
Theodor, “Glades and Avenues”
Named for a 24-year-old cat, the members of this neo-soul group characterize their music as “psychedelic sweet soul.”
Pale Jay, “In Your Corner”
From his debut album ‘Bewilderment,’ the ski-masked master of soul and “slow disco” had a big year in 2023.
Wesley Bright, “Come Right Back (pt. 1)”
From Akron, this silky-smooth soul survivor is backed by an aptly named band – the Honeytones.
Brittany Howard, “I Don't”
The Alabama Shakes frontwoman’s second solo album features this luxurious sweet-soul original.
Monophonics, “Sage Motel”
The veteran psych-soul group weaved a story about big dreams and broken hearts on their 2022 song cycle of the same name.
Joy Crookes, “Feet Don't Fail Me Now”
Hailing from South London this soulful singer brings new energy and a refreshing take while honoring the sensibilities of some of the greats who came before her.
Adi Oasis, “Serena” feat. Samm Henshaw
The Brooklyn-based artist, who grew up in the Paris projects, enlisted the help of UK singer Henshaw for this recent track
Thee Sacred Souls, “Love Is The Way”
Sweet soul music” from this SoCal trio, who signed to Dapton shortly after their stage debut
Jeymes Samuel, “Sacred Love” feat. Yemi Alade
The singer, stage name the Bullitts, released this on the soundtrack for “The Book of Clarence,” which he directed
Jalen Ngonda, “Illusions”
For the young D.C. native, who moved to Liverpool for performing arts school, soul music is “an indomitable force of nature”
Thee Marloes, “True Love”
This trio of newcomers from Indonesia, led by the sultry voice of keyboardist Natassya Sianturi, bring some slinky flair to classic soul
Thee Heart Tones, “Forever & Ever”
From Hawthorne, CA – the same suburb that gave the world the Beach Boys – this youthful six-piece band knows the sound of “Forever”
Los Yesterdays, “Louie, Louie”
Gabriel Rowland and Victor Benavides started making sweet, psychedelic tinged soul in a garage in LA, they later teamed with Dap-crew staples Gabe Roth and Tommy TNT Brenneck to produce a series of earworm single including “Louie, Louie.”
Bobby Oroza, “I Got Love”
Raised by artistic parents – a Bolivian tango singer and a Finnish jazz guitarist – Oroza’s music is romance personified
Thee Lakesiders, “Can't Fool Me Twice”
How many fools do you have tied to a string?” singer Itzcalli Marie sang on this instant bilingual classic from 2021
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, “City Federal Building”
More than a decade entrenched at the heart of modern soul, these Alabamians released their fifth album last year
Durand Jones & The Indications, “Sexy Thang”
With partners Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein, Jones makes music to help people “close their eyes and forget where they are”
Les Imprimés, “I'll Never Leave”
The soul-revival project of Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Morten Martens features a healthy dose of doo-wop backing vocals
The Sha La Das, “Silver Linings”
Tommy Brenneck knew this family band – a Staten Island dad and sons who played with Charles Bradley – were a natural Daptone act
Jason Joshua, “Poor Boy”
From Miami, this singer and his band – the Beholders – live up to the frontman’s nickname: “La Voz de Oro”
The Altons, “Float”
There’s a distinct Morricone-tinge to this lush track from this Latin-flavored soul group from the LA gateway city of Maywood
Theodor, “Glades and Avenues”
Named for a 24-year-old cat, the members of this neo-soul group characterize their music as “psychedelic sweet soul”
Pale Jay, “In Your Corner”
From his debut album, “Bewilderment,” the ski-masked master of soul and “slow disco” had a big year in 2023
Wesley Bright, “Come Right Back (pt. 1)”
From Akron, this silky-smooth soul survivor is backed by an aptly named band – the Honeytones
Menahan Street Band, “The Stranger” feat. Victor Benavides
This all-star troupe led by Tommy TNT Brenneck backed the late, great Charles Bradley. They’ve been sampled by everyone from Jay-Z to Kid Cudi and Kendrick Lamar. On this track they team with Los Yesterdays front man, Victor Benavides.
Brittany Howard, “I Don't”
The new album from the Alabama Shakes frontwoman – her second solo – features this luxurious sweet-soul original
Monophonics, “Sage Motel”
The veteran psych-soul group weaved a story about big dreams and broken hearts on their 2022 song cycle of the same name
%20(1).png)
%20(1).png)
%20(1).png)
.png)
%20(1).png)
.jpg)