Something interesting is happening in modern soul. While mainstream pop continues chasing it's own formulaic perfection, a growing group of artists are reaching back to the golden eras of 60s and 70s soul and the glossy boogie of the early 80s.
Luckily this revival isn’t just about sound, it’s visual too and every element is considered in the look and feel of these artists. Plus all of the wow set design to further transport us back in the time machine.
Tinted sunglasses, tailored suits, silk shirts, vintage microphones and studios packed with analogue gear have become part of the aesthetic. These artists don’t just sound like they belong to another era tbh, they often look like they’ve stepped straight out of it.
Which raises an interesting question, is this effortless retro cool purely instinctive, or is there a creative team behind the scenes helping shape the look?
Whatever the answer, the result is compelling. From cinematic soul ballads to synth-heavy funk grooves, these artists are building a scene where nostalgia, style and musicianship meet. These are perfect for stylish playlists and DJ sets that blend and swing between the old and new.
Here are a few names leading the charge.
Don West
The Soundtrack: Small Change
Don West brings a cinematic quality to modern soul. His music is steeped in the warm textures of the 1970s, falsetto vocals, lush arrangements and storytelling that feels deeply personal.
Visually he mirrors that timeless energy. Vintage tailoring, understated elegance and a quiet confidence give him the presence of a classic soul crooner.
Whether it’s pure instinct or carefully considered styling, the aesthetic fits the music perfectly.
Style: orchestral soul, falsetto storytelling, vintage crooner energy.
Dabeull
The Soundtrack: Day & Night
Parisian producer Dabeull has built an entire universe around modern boogie. His sound is driven by analogue synthesizers, vintage drum machines and elastic funk basslines that feel straight out of the 1980s.
The visuals follow suit – shiny shirts, moustaches, VHS textures and neon-lit studios packed with classic props.
It’s part funk revival, part retro-futurist theatre and it works like some kind of Saturday night fever.
Sound Style: 80s boogie revival, synth funk, analogue groove obsession.
Durand Jones
The Soundtrack: That Feeling
Durand Jones embodies classic soul vocalists, merging gospel intensity with traditional soul’s emotional storytelling through his work with Durand Jones & The Indications.
His stage presence reflects the same timeless quality. Vintage suits, naming of his collective talent, classic soul revue energy and a performance style that feels both old-school and completely alive.
In many ways, he represents the bridge between past and present.
Sound Style: classic soul revival, brass-driven arrangements, powerful vintage vocals.
Pale Jay
Track to hear: By the Lake
Pale Jay might be the most mysterious figure in the modern soul movement. Rarely seen without his now-signature mask, he lets the music speak first, warm falsetto melodies floating over hazy, sun-drenched soul arrangements.
The anonymity adds another layer to the aesthetic. Is it an artistic concept? A statement about letting the music lead? Or simply a striking piece of visual branding?
Whatever the intention, tracks like By the Lake deliver pure mood, super dreamy, soulful and effortlessly stylish.
Sound Style: psychedelic soul, dreamy falsetto grooves, enigmatic visual identity.
Jalen Ngonda
Track to hear: If You Don’t Want My Love
Few modern singers capture the sound of classic soul as naturally as Jalen Ngonda. His voice carries the sweetness and emotional clarity of late 60s soul, recalling artists like Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.
Ngonda’s aesthetic follows the same path: vintage suits, retro stage presence and a timeless charm that feels completely authentic.
It’s not imitation — it’s immersion in the tradition.
Sound Style: 60s-inspired soul, smooth falsetto vocals, timeless Motown energy.
sombr
The Soundtrack: Caroline
At the younger edge of the scene, sombr takes a more understated approach. His music blends intimate indie songwriting with soft R&B influences, creating a dreamy, late-night atmosphere.
The look is equally low-key, minimal visuals, relaxed fashion and a stripped-back aesthetic that contrasts with the more theatrical retro styling of some of his peers.
Still, the emotional warmth and melodic sensibility link him back to the same soul tradition.
Sound Style: lo-fi soul, indie R&B mood, understated Gen-Z cool.
Part of what makes this new wave so compelling is the way music and image intertwine. The analogue instruments, vintage references and carefully crafted visuals all contribute to the experience.
Of course, modern artists rarely work entirely alone. Creative directors, stylists and visual teams often help shape the final presentation and finally they are getting the thanks in the artist award speeches.
But the most convincing artists make it feel effortless, as if the grooves, the clothes and the attitude all come from the same instinct.
Whether naturally cool or carefully curated, one thing is clear: this new generation of soul revivalists understands that great music doesn’t just have a sound and mirroring the image of those that came before is certainly a way to project that.
