Michelle David and The True-tones – ‘Soul Woman’ album review: Gospel-tinged soul floor-fillers
Soul music has never really gone out of style, kept alive for multiple decades by those dedicated few who kept the faith, and the various record labels who have devoted themselves to platforming 21st-century soul masters like Michelle David and the True-tones, whose new offering, appropriately entitled Soul Woman, is an early contender for greatest soul album of the year.
The Skinny: Marking the third full-length collaboration between the New York vocalist and her Dutch backing band, The True-tones, Soul Woman certainly plays to their respective strengths, thrusting the listener into the heart of her extensive gospel credentials. In terms of lyrical content, the album is an incredibly reflective piece, seeing David explore her own sense of identity and belonging in a rapidly changing and increasingly heartbreaking world. However, this introspection arrives flanked by infectious, upbeat soul excellence.
From the opening track, ‘Running’, the album wastes no time in establishing its storming, northern soul-inspired energy. Anybody who has been following the singles being released in the run-up to this long-awaited LP will already be well aware of its floor-filling nature – and, presumably, it won’t take very long for the Record Kicks-released seven-inch cuts from this record to make their debuts in the realm of soul all-nighters. Some of the greatest moments on the album occur, however, when that tempo is turned down somewhat.
On the funk-fueled ‘You’ll Never Know’, or David’s unstated, hushed vocals on the highlife-esque title track, the change in atmosphere allows the listener to appreciate the multi-faceted vocal talents of the performer on a deeper level.
It isn’t just David’s admittedly astounding vocals that stand out, either. Throughout the tracklisting, the expansive instrumental performances of the True-tones provide the backbone of the record, embracing a litany of different sounds, instruments, and influences along the way.
Another key strength of the record is that, unlike many other modern soul records, it does not pander solely to nostalgia. It is certainly retro-styled in its sensibilities, and there is no doubting that it owes the core of its inspiration to old-school gospel and the golden age of 1960s soul, but there is a lot more to be gained here than simply harking back to the past.
Soul Woman is a record which is as innovative as it is infectious, and it might just be Michelle David’s greatest work thus far.
The Verdict: Whether you’re after some deep introspective soul or floor-filling euphoria, Soul Woman certainly has you covered, exemplifying the diverse, timeless tones of Michelle David and establishing the True-tones among the great soul instrumentalists of the modern era.
Standout Track: ‘Speak To Me’
Release Date: February 27th, 2026 | Producer: OC Smit and PW Willemsen | Label: Record Kicks
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