About this item

Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut full length, 2023’s Come Around and Love Me, Jalen’s career has undergone a meteoric rise. The track “If You Don’t Want My Love” went viral, garnering 253 million streams to date. Jalen has appeared on a number of major television programmes, including The Graham Norton Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Later with Jools Holland. He opened for Thee Sacred Souls on their national US tour, and has sold out countless club dates across the globe as a headliner. Now, in 2026, with the embers of his debut still burning brightly, Jalen prepares to release his eagerly awaited sophomore album, Doctrine of Love.

The hard work and relentless touring behind his debut have fortified his craft. His message: “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.” The tracks on the forthcoming album are born from this creed. With his deep knowledge and love of classic soul, Jalen delivers authenticity in abundance. Doctrine of Love blends pop sensibility and soulful melodies with raw grit and groove, expanding on the orchestral arrangements of Come Around and Love Me with flourishes of horns and gospel-kissed backing vocals, creating a highly stylish example of modern soul artistry.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: While Jalen's debut album was steeped in early-'70s soulful grooves, Doctrine of Love reaches even further back, drawing inspiration from the sounds of the 1960s.

The album opens with "Anyone in Love", awash with sweeping strings and soulful backing vocals, before launching into the James Brown-inspired lead single and title track, "Doctrine of Love". The uplifting groove of "Mr Train Conductor" is followed by the soul stomper "Burning Temptation", while the sweet melancholy of "Love Is Gone" brings Side One to a close.

On the flip side, "I Can't Ever Leave You" and "Hannah What's the Matter" both explore the complexities of love. The former is a slow burner, punctuated by bursts of horns and bluesy guitar riffs, while the latter is a hook-filled, upbeat number driven by a punchy chorus.

The sweet doo-wop of "Good Good Love" is perhaps the album's most uplifting moment, closely followed by "Hang It on the Shelf". Finally, the melancholic heartbreak of "Taken Out of the Picture" provides a perfect closing statement.

Doctrine of Love is a timeless modern soul album that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Motown release back in the day.

TRACK LISTING

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