By: Staff
Thee Sacred Souls are back, ready to elevate their meteoric rise with their stunning sophomore album, Got A Story To Tell (Daptone Records). It’s a bold 12-track collection of original songs, brimming with soul, raw emotion, and a refined sound forged by life on the road. This young San Diego trio—already adored by millions of Spotify listeners, NPR’s Tiny Desk crowd, and celebrity fans like SZA, Alicia Keys, and Kylie Jenner—has cemented their place as torchbearers of modern soul.
Life on Tour: A Band TransformedSince their breakout 2022 self-titled debut, Thee Sacred Souls have been in constant motion, crisscrossing North America and Europe to perform sold-out shows for packed, adoring crowds. But the road is more than just bright lights and applause. For Alejandro Garcia (drums, guitar), Salvador Samano (bass, drums), and Josh Lane (vocals), relentless touring has brought them closer as bandmates and brothers, sharpening their sound and deepening their storytelling.
“Touring tested us,” Garcia shares. “We faced heartbreak, family struggles, and the challenge of staying creative when every night you give it all on stage.” Samano agrees: “We grew up fast. We learned to carry our experiences into the music.”
That hard-earned maturity shaped Got A Story To Tell into something darker, richer, and ultimately more resonant. It’s not a band running on fumes—it’s a band thriving in the fire, crafting stories that blend truth, imagination, and universal emotion.
“Lucid Girl”: An Anthem of Freedom and StrengthThe album opens with its powerhouse lead single, “Lucid Girl,” a modern soul classic celebrating independence and resilience. It began quietly—on Christmas morning, Garcia wrote the instrumental alone, in a moment of heartache and reflection. Later, driving to family, the words “lucid girl” echoed in his mind. It was a spark Lane couldn’t ignore.
“A great instrumental already tells a story,” Lane explains. That Christmas-born track hit hard with its thundering bass and Garcia’s unshakeable drums, conjuring a woman too strong to be held down. “She chose herself and then she grew,” Lane croons in his pure tenor, riding the groove as the beat stutters and the chorus soars. “Lucid Girl” kicks off the album with energy and purpose, setting the tone for the tales that follow.
A Tapestry of Emotions: Love, Loss, and RedemptionRecorded at Penrose Recorders—Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth’s analog sanctuary in Riverside, CA—the album is a masterclass in soul craftsmanship. Immortal grooves, timeless harmonies, and lyrical depth flow across the record, a nod to the band’s inspirations while sounding wholly their own.
Take “My Heart Is Drowning,” a heart-wrenching ballad steeped in Jamaican rocksteady rhythms and ‘60s girl-group elegance. Lane’s haunting confessions of guilt and regret unfold over moody basslines and whisper-soft harmonies, reminiscent of Motown legend Mary Wells. And just when the track seems drenched in sorrow, a sudden turn toward brighter tones leaves listeners suspended between darkness and hope.
Then there’s “On My Mind,” a breezy standout shaped by Brazilian icon Arthur Verocai’s melodic influence. Lane’s lyrics embrace life’s contradictions—“the good and the bad together, the good and the bad that make this man”—delivering one of his most stirring vocal performances yet.
History Inspires, The Future BeckonsTalk music with Thee Sacred Souls, and you’re in for a joyous dive into history. Guided by Roth’s encyclopedic knowledge, the band draws inspiration from deep cuts and unsung heroes: the silky harmonies of the Fabulous Performers, Alton Ellis’ otherworldly falsetto, and the lush arrangements of Jesse Boone and the Astros. Their reverence for the past fuels their ability to create music that feels both classic and fresh, timeless yet undeniably now.
A Journey’s End, and a New BeginningGot A Story To Tell may not be a concept album, but its emotional arc feels deliberate—a journey through love, pain, and self-discovery, with joy waiting at the finish line. The closing track, “I’m So Glad I Found You, Baby,” feels like coming home after a long, hard road to the arms of someone who’s been waiting all along.
The past two years have pushed Thee Sacred Souls to their limits. Now, with Got A Story To Tell, they’ve proven that every mile traveled, every note played, and every emotion poured into their craft was worth it. This isn’t just a follow-up—it’s a declaration. Thee Sacred Souls are here to stay, ready to take their place among soul’s greats.
Your story is still unfolding. Let Got A Story To Tell be its soundtrack.
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