It felt like we simultaneously and collectively decided that the soul trio Gabriels was going to be the next face of the genre. It was only last year when the group released their Angels & Queens project, a seven-track expedition into the expansive harmonies and grandiose arrangements that have become signatures for the trio, and properly introduced themselves to the world at large. This project introduced Gabriels in a firework-esque entrance and forced a breath of fresh air to rush over the genre of soul, reimagining what the genre can sound like when the perfect balance of influence and fearlessness is hit.
This week, Gabriels are doing some internal reimagining with the release of Angels & Queens Part 2 and expanded and rearranged sequel to their 2022 breakout. This new set of songs includes the original seven compositions along with six brand-new tracks that add to the already wildly colorful world of Gabriels, all while continuing to challenge themselves with sonic leaps that cement their name into the world of modern soul.
With all eyes on Gabriels, their approach to this latest release feels like a bold creative move. The trio of vocalist Jacob Lusk, keyboardist/producer Ryan Hope, and violinist/composer Ari Balouzian trust their vision for a sequel to their breakout project. Including a set of songs that have been circulating the internet in some sort of melodic takeover for just under a year could’ve been the downfall of Angels & Queens Part 2. Instead of these young yet classic songs becoming stale and simply tacked on to a different set of songs, the two worlds intermingle and bring new viewpoints to the songs we already love while elevating the experience of the new tracks.
The songs are properly recontextualized into a whole new universe, building on the work put in on Part 1 without it feeling too forced or dry. The baritone harmonies and soaring strings of the previously released “To the Moon and Back” have a new meaning when placed next to minimal arrangements and passionately delivered balladry of “Professional”. Gabriels were able to flush out their full vision of what a debut could look like while still making it seem natural and sleek, an award-winning performance within itself yet we haven’t even brushed the musicality deployed on Angels & Queens Part 2.
Gabriels were able to mix southern-fried soul with tempos for modern times, a triumphant yet humble concoction that gives the album such a unique personality. With their love for lush string sections, the rolling pianos that drive songs like “Professional”, the group’s ability to seamlessly transition from one era of soul to their futuristic take on the genre, Gabriels realized the pressure amounting around this release and blissfully poured it all into the music.
The tension on “We Will Remember” boils over on the looser and intensely infectious “Love and Hate in a Different Time”, a contradiction that allows the LP to flow with a carefree gusto and introduces us to a new side of a group we’re all still getting to know. The chemistry between the three members is the driving force of this album although it feels like most of their conversations happen within the songs themselves. Hope and Balouzian send harmonious signals directly to Lusk, a cosmic form of communication that boils over on the album’s intense tones and unreserved lyrics.
Now that the final pieces of Gabriel’s debut album have finally fallen into place, there is nothing left to do except sit back in awe. Angles & Queens Part 2 might be a continuation of the sonic worlds the group explored on their initial release but Gabriels somehow made it feel like we’re hearing the songs of Part 1 for the first time all over again. Their vision has fully formed into a 13-song escapade through arrangements that range from a lighthearted walk through the neighborhood to a menacing storm cloud. The way the trio approached the structure of their debut allowed it to become the mystical soul journey it truly is.
While Gabriels wear their influences on their sleeves, they are able to melt them down to form their own forward-thinking take that is as free and courageous as the genre has sounded in a long time.
