Ben L’Oncle Soul has long been a torchbearer for French soul music, blending classic R&B influences with modern sensibilities to create a sound that is both timeless and deeply personal. As he gears up for the release of his highly anticipated album, Sad Generation, the multi-platinum artist is once again proving his ability to channel nostalgia into fresh, contemporary storytelling.
His latest single, I Gøt Home, is a joyful ode to live performance, brimming with ‘60s R&B energy, gospel-infused melodies, and his signature velvety vocals. With production from Danny Van ‘T Hoff and Bastien Cabezon, the track captures the thrill of being on stage, reflecting Ben’s enduring love for music as a communal experience.
In this exclusive interview, Ben takes us inside the creative process behind Sad Generation while also reflecting on the complexities of modern life. He opens up about balancing his reverence for soul’s golden era with the need to innovate, how live performance continues to shape his artistry, and what it means to be a global ambassador for French soul in today’s evolving musical landscape. With a career spanning over a decade, sold-out shows at Glastonbury and Montreux Jazz, and millions of streams worldwide, Ben remains an artist who bridges eras and emotions, inviting listeners into a world where the past and present collide in harmony.
I Gøt Home captures a joyous and nostalgic energy inspired by ‘60s R&B. Can you tell us about the creative process behind the track and how it reflects your connection to live performance?
I Gøt Home is a pure and instinctive celebration of live performance — the feeling of returning to yourself, to what makes you feel alive. From the start, we wanted to capture the raw energy of a live setting, where music transcends everything and brings people together. Home, in this song, isn’t just a place but a state of mind — being exactly where you belong, carried by music and the collective energy of the moment. Inspired by the warmth of ‘60s R&B, we kept the arrangement organic and dynamic, embracing the spontaneity that makes live music so powerful.
Your upcoming album, Sad Generation, is described as deeply personal and influenced by artists like Lauryn Hill, Usher, and Aaliyah. How do these influences shape the album's sound and themes?
While Lauryn Hill, Usher, and Aaliyah were key influences on my previous album, Is It You, the sound and themes of Sad Generation draw from a different creative palette. This record is more deeply rooted in the raw energy of Sly Stone, the psychedellic grooves of Funkadelic, and the cinematic textures of Danger Mouse. These influences shape a sound that is both rebellious and introspective, blending organic instrumentation with modern production techniques. Sad Generation is about channeling emotion into something powerful — melding past and present to create music that feels timeless yet urgent.
Your music often blends classic soul with contemporary elements, creating something timeless yet fresh. How do you balance honouring the past while innovating for modern audiences?
For me, it’s all about honouring the essence of classic soul while bringing it into the present. I draw from timeless influences but update them with modern production techniques, using analogue gear to capture warmth while refining the sound for today’s audience. It’s about keeping the spirit alive — respecting the past while pushing it forward in a way that feels fresh and authentic.
“Live performance is always at the heart of my music, even in the studio. When creating, I imagine how a song will feel in front of thousands of people.”
You've been a global ambassador for French soul for over a decade. How do you think the genre has evolved during your career, and how do you see your role within that evolution?
French soul has evolved through constant reinvention, and I’ve always embraced that by collaborating with different artists on each album. Every project brings new influences, new sounds, and a fresh perspective, shaping the way my music evolves. Whether it’s Amaharah, Bastien, or other collaborators, each brings their own touch, creating unique fusions while always staying rooted in soul. My role has been to keep that spirit alive, honouring its essence while letting it grow and adapt with every new creative encounter.
As someone who thrives on live performance, how do you channel the energy of iconic venues like Glastonbury and Montreux Jazz into your music and studio recordings?
Live performance is always at the heart of my music, even in the studio. When creating, I imagine how a song will feel in front of thousands of people, how the energy will flow in a space like Glastonbury or Montreux Jazz. These iconic venues fuel my imagination and shape the way I approach each track. Whether it's an upbeat anthem or a ballad, the live experience is always part of the conception. It's about capturing that raw, immersive energy and translating it into the recording.
The title Sad Generation suggests a reflective and perhaps critical look at modern life. What inspired it, and what do you hope listeners take away from the album as a whole?
The title is a reflection on the contradictions of modern life, its disillusionment, but also its resilience. It’s not just about sadness; it’s about how we navigate a world that can feel overwhelming, turning those feelings into something meaningful. The blues influence in the album echoes this sentiment much like Howlin’ Wolf’s raw and unfiltered expression — it’s about channeling struggle into something powerful. I hope listeners connect with that duality and see themselves in the stories the album tells.
