Bonneville is stepping back into the spotlight with “In the Jungle,” the second single from their upcoming third album Hold for Room Tone—and if you’ve been craving real-deal, analog-soaked soul, this one’s about to live on repeat.
From the first note, “In the Jungle” drops you straight into a shadowy cityscape. It’s gritty, tense, and unapologetically steeped in ’70s soul-funk. The groove feels dangerous in the best way—like the soundtrack to a late-night crime drama where every corner hides a story. Built around an infectious bassline and driven by deep-pocket drumming from legendary Bernard Purdie, the track locks in with a tightness that feels both effortless and masterful. There’s weight to it. Swagger too.
Bonneville has built its name on honoring classic soul traditions while giving them fresh life, and here it leans fully into that mission. Big horn stabs, soaring strings, and a rhythm section that absolutely simmers give the song a cinematic scale. You can hear echoes of Curtis Mayfield, Donnie Hathaway, and Bobby Womack woven into the fabric—but it never feels like imitation. It’s revival through reinvention.
Vocally, Wes McGee balances grit and vulnerability, embodying the tension of inner-city struggle while still pushing toward hope and ambition. The call-and-response in the chorus adds a spark that makes the track hit even harder, lifting it from a moody groove to a full-bodied anthem.
Recorded at the iconic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and produced by Starita, “In the Jungle” doesn’t just nod to the golden era of soul—it plants its flag there with authority. It’s dark, funky, and fearless. Bonneville isn’t just revisiting the past—they’re proving why it still matters.
‘In the Jungle’ feels like stepping into the heart of 1970s soul cinema
