Release: Jalen Ngonda - 'Come Around and Love Me'

Jalen Ngonda - 'Come Around and Love Me' Out September 8th via Daptone  V2 Records While growing up in his native Washington D.C., Jalen Ngonda’s childhood was indelibly colored by the sounds of classic Motown soul. Now based out of London, Ngonda has spent the last few years reviving those vintage strains of R&B and soul, steeping his music in a storied tradition to match his tender songwriting voice. He debuted in 2018 with his EP, Talkin’ About Mary, and in recent years has signed with Daptone Records ahead of his forthcoming debut full-length record.

He’s been teasing the album over the last year with a series of new singles, “What A Difference She Made,” “Just Like You Used To,” and “If You Don’t Want My Love,” and today he’s back with news of the full record, Come Around And Love Me, due out September 8th via Daptone. Accompanying the announcement, he’s also shared the album’s title track.

Ngonda sports a voice worthy of Marvin Gaye and an ear for lush melodicism, and he puts both to use on “Come Around And Love Me.” Syncopated guitar rhythms and lithe percussion give the track a sweet, euphoric feel, threaded with groovy basslines and sun-dappled production. It feels like a lost early ‘70s Motown track, recreated in crystal-clear detail, capturing that era’s balance of impeccable studio production and summery pop songwriting. Ngonda says of the track, “it was written late 2021 as soon as it was possible to fly to the USA after lockdown I jumped on a plane and we got to work! The song is about taking a chance in spite of the surrounding doubts.”

He continues, saying “This song is a special one for me because it exemplifies what is to come on my upcoming album. ‘Come Around’ echoes the influences of Marvin Gaye and Brian Wilson as well as the Gamble & Huff sound. From writing and recording, all the way to shooting the video with Casey Liu, this record has been a gas to make!!”