Got a story to tell by Thee Sacred Souls

The Feature Album this week on 2SER is Got a Story to tell, the second album from neo-soul trio Thee Sacred Souls.

Words by Josh Ray

Since the release of their debut in 2022, San Diego natives Thee Sacred Souls have become known for their lush brand of pop and soul which would have seen them topping Billboard charts were they around in mid-60s Detroit. Think all the big names – Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Sam Cooke – Thee Sacred Souls fit right in. Frontman Josh Lane’s sweet falsetto jumps as an obvious element of comparison, but it’s bassist Sal Samano and drummer Alex Garcia’s effortlessly synced rhythm section which make Got a Story to Tell endlessly walkable. ‘On My Mind’ is a good example of this, expanding its sonic inspiration from Motor City to Brazil with its off-kilter beat and Latin-Jazz inspired guitar licks. It’s this seamless dynamic which could have it in strong contention for an unofficial (and highly competitive) “Breeziest Album of 2024” Award.

Thee Sacred Souls aren’t a stranger to this kind of label, either. The band’s modern Motown sound prompted the virality of their 2022 single “Can I Call You Rose”, which served as a soundtrack to fit-checks and vintage edits on TikTok. Much like that song, tracks like second single ‘Live For You’ just exude cool, with a groove you can bop your head to laying the groundwork for lyrics you could hug your friends to. As a whole, Got a Story to Tell plays on themes of happiness, self-dependence, balancing life and much more. The complete record is a beautiful, sunlit dose of astral-tinged lowriding RnB with stunning clarity thanks to the Bosco Mann magic on production.

Got a Story to tell is out now on Daptone Records  / Penrose (digital and vinyl)