Ngonda first gained widespread success with his debut album ‘Come Around and Love Me’ in 2023. That record, despite being remarkably reminiscent of late-’60s and early-’70s soul and R&B, earned praise from critics and listeners across the world, helping establish him as a rising star in the “soul revival” movement.

The album blends mid-60s New Orleans R&B with the grit of Chicago and Detroit soul, resulting in a sound that does still feel nostalgic, but nodding to the grittier sounds of black 60s music, that is often overlooked by other artists, keeps it feeling fresh. According to Ngonda, the concept behind the record is guided by a philosophy he describes as “every thought and action should be guided first by compassion for others, because love is the highest measure of human worth.”

The announcement of ‘Doctrine of Love’ was accompanied by the release of its title track and the full trackless for the record. The tracklist reads as follows:

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

In the three years since his debut, Ngonda’s profile has continued to grow. His appearances at Radio 2’s Piano Room and Glastonbury Festival are some of his most notable and have earned his the recognition of some of the industry’s biggest artists, namely, Paul Weller, who spoke recently of his fondness for Jalen Ngonda in the latest issue of Detail magazine.

A tour has also been announced to promote of ‘Doctrine of Love’, which will take Ngonda across the UK, Europe and beyond later in 2026. he spring leg includes shows in York, Oxford, Margate, Leicester and Leeds, bringing his vintage-infused soul sound to some of the UK’s best venues. Over the summer, he is also set to appear at Love Supreme Festival in Lewes, one of the country’s premier soul and jazz gatherings, as well as Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival in Birmingham.

The new record is available for pre-order on physical formats here, as well as tickets for the upcoming tour here.

The track was originally released as part of Record Store Day last year but has been released on streaming platforms this week. It incorporates her rich, soulful voice and poignant lyrics, for which she is renowned for. 

My new song “Everyday” is out April 20th – vinyl exclusive LIVE PERFORMANCE RECORD STORE DAY ROUGH TRADE WEST pic.twitter.com/XHBRdJShbF

— Celeste (@celeste) April 11, 2024

The British singer-songwriter rose to stardom by uploading demos to SoundCloud where she caught the attention of industry professionals. ‘The Milk & The Honey’, her 2017 debut EP, introduced her as a powerhouse of emotional depth and vocal brilliance. Her career-defining moment came in 2020 when she won the BBC Sound of 2020 and the BRITs Rising Star Award, establishing her as one of the UK’s most promising musical talents.

Hits like ‘Strange’ and her chart-topping debut album ‘Not Your Muse’ solidified her reputation and earned her critical acclaim. Beyond her studio work, Celeste has made significant contributions to film soundtracks, including her Oscar-nominated song ‘Hear My Voice’ from The Trial of the Chicago 7 and ‘This Is Who I Am’ for the Sky series The Day of the Jackal. 

This new single, released on January 1, marks a compelling addition to her discography, showcasing her talent for blending classic soul influences with contemporary soundscapes. 

In a statement about the song, Celeste revealed the its inspiration, describing an evening at Boiler Room’s Christmas party: “It was December 3rd 2022, I was invited out by friends and didn’t really want to go but had the feeling that I should. I ended up going to Boiler Room’s Christmas party at their office in Bethnal Green, feeling a bit lonely, heartbroken and reluctant to engage in any small talk, or flirtatious conversations.”

She explained: “I went to the dance floor and found myself engulfed in a song that felt familiar but I was unsure if I knew it or where I knew it from. I ended up speaking with a friend while dancing but then what overtook the conversation was a melody in my head and I began to record a voice note on my phone. This rarely happens to me so I felt it was important to gather some documentation of it so went to the smoking area to record a voice note, then the words ‘Everyday, wanna be close to him, never leave’ came to me.”

The singer described the song as one that “speaks of a lust that is uncomfortable and confusing, holding onto wrong mantras and holding lovers in our thoughts almost as a prayer or daily obsession.” Themes which are evident in the tracks emotional and introspective lyrics, revealing a deep need for connection and validation which is juxtaposed with moments of insecurity and doubt.

One of the key elements of the single is its production, which uses a sample from Death In Vegas’ 1999 track ‘Dirge’, giving it a cinematic quality with a hypnotic rhythm. The song gradually builds in texture, starting with the minimalism of the sample and Celeste’s haunting vocals. As the song progresses, layers of bass, synths, percussion, and distant vocal echoes grow before exploding in a dark, immersive atmosphere. 

Celeste’s iconic vocals remain the centrepiece, delivering a raw, vulnerable performance that captures the complexity of the song’s themes. 

 

 

 

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With ‘Everyday’, Celeste continues to evolve as an artist, blending classic soul influences with an innovative style. The track’s brooding mood, layered production, and poignant lyrics highlight her unique ability to explore emotions while pushing creative boundaries. As she begins the New Year with this authentic release, Celeste reaffirms her place as one of the most compelling voices in modern music.