By Anayo Eltringham Onuora
Over recent years, modern soul has slowly wriggled its way into the mainstream.
The genre has gained popularity in current music, blending classic, retro aesthetics with the refinement of modern technology and production.
For a genre so often associated with the past, soul music is enjoying a remarkably modern resurgence, particularly among younger audiences.
Across streaming platforms, festivals and independent record labels, a new generation of artists have rediscovered the emotional depth, musicianship and storytelling that made soul one of the defining sounds of the twentieth century.
The Rise of Modern Soul
Yet, this is not simply a nostalgia-based revival. Instead, contemporary artists are reimagining soul for a new era, blending classic influences with modern perspectives to maintain the genre’s relevance and promote engagement.
The revival of soul music has been building quietly for years; mainstream charts have largely become dominated by pop, hip-hop and dance music. However, audiences have increasingly sought out artists whose music feels rooted in authenticity and human connection.
The genre is characterised by deeply emotional lyricism and instrumentation that feels profoundly raw and personal. Therefore, soul’s emphasis on powerful vocals and honest songwriting offers a counterpoint to the polished perfection that often characterises mainstream music.
Current Liverpool Artists at the Forefront of Modern Soul and Jazz
Liverpool has quietly established itself as one of the UK’s most prominent hubs for modern soul, with a thriving network of independent venues, promoters and record collectors helping to maintain the genre’s growth.
A passionate grassroots scene, combined with a growing appetite for jazz, R&B and soul-inspired sounds, have transformed Liverpool into a destination for contemporary artists to connect with audiences eager for music rooted in emotion and tradition.
Building on the city’s rich musical heritage and longstanding connections to Black American music, Liverpool has become a key destination for contemporary soul artists and audiences alike, providing a platform for emerging talent.
Jalen Ngonda
At the forefront of Liverpool’s modern soul’s resurgence is Jalen Ngonda, whose music effortlessly bridges vintage soulful aesthetics with the present sounds of electric guitar melodies. The Maryland-born, now Liverpool-based artist channels the spirit of soul’s golden era through resonant arrangements and heartfelt vocals, while still feeling contemporary in his craft.
Rather than recreating the sounds of soul pioneers such as Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield, Ngonda uses their influence as a foundation for his work, illustrating how today’s soul artists are reinterpreting the genre for a new audience.
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Ni Maxine
Other Liverpool-based artists such as Ni Maxine are also helping to push the soul scene forward. Blending neo-soul, jazz and contemporary R&B influences, her work highlights the increasingly fluid boundaries of the genre, which adds to its growing appeal.
Ni Maxine proves that modern soul isn’t defined by a single sound; instead, it encompasses a wide range of influences while maintaining emotional honesty from within her music.
“I hope what I’m doing now means that in the future there’ll be 15 more of me, being able to live off of art. The city is starting to bring the industry to us, and so I feel the scene is really starting to grow,” says Ni.
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Brooke Combe
Meanwhile, Scottish musician Brooke Combe has emerged as another leading figure in the revival. Her combination of sharp songwriting and contemporary production has helped her to attract a younger audience.
Brooke Combe recognises that soul music’s influence in Liverpool dates back several decades.
“Reverse back to say The Beatles. They literally brought back all these soul records from across the water. Do you know what I mean? And they were so heavily influenced. So, to some degree, I guess you could say the soul scene is big. Bigger than we realise,” says Brooke.
Together, artists like Combe, Ngonda and Ni Maxine demonstrate that soul music’s future is being shaped by musicians from a variety of backgrounds, regions and musical traditions.
Soul’s Resurgence Through Cultural Trends
The revival of soul is not just limited to individual artists. Independent labels, vinyl sales and grassroots music venues have all played a role in creating an environment where soul music can thrive.
Local venues regularly host touring artists from across the UK, while Liverpool-based musicians are increasingly drawing on soul traditions within their own work. This helps to build a scene that connects both local identity and global movements.
As a result, music listeners have become increasingly more interested in the timeless nature of modern soul, which offers a sound that feels refreshingly genuine.
The Return of Physical Media
Part of soul music’s modern appeal lies in its relationship with physical media. While streaming has made music more accessible than ever, many listeners have become drawn to formats that encourage a deeper level of engagement.
Vinyl records offer a deliberate, immersive experience that complements the values at the heart of soul music. As a result, contemporary soul releases are often the most celebrated in independent record stores and on collectors’ shelves.
This renewed interest in records has also helped fuel the genre’s wider revival; record shops and vinyl parties have become important spaces for discovery, while introducing younger audiences to both classic and contemporary soul artists.
In many ways, the resurgence of soul and the return of physical media are part of the same cultural shift, including a desire for music that feels personal, and rooted in a tradition that extends way beyond the endless scrolling of the digital age.
The Importance of Modern Soul’s Revival for Minority Musicians
As soul grows in popularity among increasingly diverse audiences, the current resurgence of the genre offers significant opportunities for Black musicians.
Renewed interest in soul has created space for artists to explore traditions that have sometimes been overlooked by the mainstream industry, while also introducing younger audiences to the genre’s cultural history.
At the same time, soul music’s longtime appeal lies not only in its sound but in the experiences and histories from which it emerged. Ensuring those contributions remain visible is essential as the genre continues to evolve.
The Future of Soul
The current soul revival is not driven purely by nostalgia; while contemporary artists remain deeply connected to the genre’s rich history, musical influences from classic soul musicians act as a foundation for innovation, as opposed to replication.
From Liverpool to Edinburgh to Maryland, a new generation of musicians are reshaping soul music for the modern day. They prove that the genre remains a consistently evolving force in popular culture, with an exciting future to come.
