The Gold Souls’ Do It Again With ‘Something in the Air’

Although 2025 hasn’t been the easiest year (lord help me, it’s only April), we can at least soothe our feelings with this new album from The Gold Souls. Their third album, Something in the Air, offers their familiar funk sound with an extra dose of jazzy brass and ear warming harmonies.

The album opens with the title track, “Something in the Air” that immediately tells the listener that The Gold Souls haven’t been sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. The song starts with the new brass section setting the stage for what’s to come while the lead singer, Juniper Waller, sings about the community tension around climate change, and how it affects the band’s daily life. Not all the songs cover current events, but the band doesn’t shy away from those topics. In “Human Beings” Waller addresses the relatable burnout capitalism has convinced humanity is the only way to survive. In the chorus the band calls out “we don’t have to work so hard” and reminds us that all we need to do is be human and be alive. That’s enough.

I recommend listening to this album with headphones in order to fully appreciate the crisp drumming by Billy D. Thompson, especially on “Don’t Give Up”. Thompson is a fantastic drummer, something that’s been obvious since their first album. His crisp beats and clean rolls remind me of Yusef Dayes, a well-known drummer and producer in the hip-hop world. Thompson’s drumming especially shines on the instrumental number “Double Daddy Get Down”, an incredibly funky tune that brings the sound of New Orleans in with a bluesy guitar solo at the end.

The other benefit of listening with headphones is getting to experience the soft and grungy keys on songs like “Calling you (On the Phone). The latter also includes a deliciously sexy trumpet solo accompanied by a strumming guitar. The entire song is one I can see them playing during a live set to give the audience a chance to breathe between all the upbeat tunes.

While the album boasts the undeniably classic Gold Souls sound, the addition of the brass section, crisp production, and overall maturity and cohesiveness of the band is easily noticeable and fun! It’s the kind of album that makes a listener even more excited for what’s to come next.