The Progressive Underground: Durand Jones & The Indications are soul revivalists for a new generation

In this edition of 5-on-5, we shine a light on one of the most vital soul bands of the modern era, Durand Jones & The Indications.

Formed in Bloomington, Indiana in 2012, the group began as a side project among Indiana University music students Durand Jones, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein. What started as a dorm-room experiment with old tape recorders and stacks of vintage 45s evolved into one of the defining acts of the contemporary soul renaissance. With a sound that channels Curtis Mayfield’s falsetto grace, the Dells’ harmony stacks, and the grit of southern gospel, the Indications stand at the crossroads of then and now.

Their music resonates deeply with the retro-soul community and has found special embrace within the Chicano lowrider movement, a testament to the timeless reach of their sound. Ahead of their tour stop in Detroit tonight, let’s trace their evolution in five songs that capture their essence.

Five essential tracks by Durand Jones & The Indications

1. “Make a Change” (Durand Jones & The Indications, 2016)

We begin with a spotlight of a track from their self-titled debut album found on Colemine Records, a label founded in 2007 and dedicated to putting out timeless sounding music. The project was recorded on a Tascam 4-track in the band’s Bloomington basement and reintroduced the urgency of late-’60s era protest soul, anchored by Jones’ preacher-like vocal delivery and Frazer’s dynamic percussion.

The album would draw parallels to Stax and Daptone artists, but the Indications would bring a Midwestern humility to their message.

“Make a Change” was one of the heartbeats from the album, which was a call for empathy and social transformation framed in the language of classic rhythm and blues. The album would earn underground acclaim, prompting a reissue by Dead Oceans record label in 2018 and launching the band on a new trajectory.

2. “Too Many Tears” (American Love Call, 2019)

Up next, we move from the grassroots of activism to the elegance of reflection with a standout from their 2019 sophomore album, American Love Call.

Recorded in Brooklyn, the album fused lush strings, vocal duets and spiritual undertones reminiscent of The Impressions and The Delfonics. This album marked a leap in craftsmanship – a full band statement produced with the care of a lost Atlantic Records session. “Too Many Tears” finds Jones and Frazer trading vocals over a slow-burn arrangement that captures heartbreak and endurance in equal measure.

3. “Witchoo” (Private Space, 2021)

Next up, the group trades melancholy for groove, diving headfirst into the dancefloor of the 1970s with “Witchoo,” a track that made them music festival favorites. If American Love Call was candlelight and confession, then their 2021 album release Private Space was mirror ball and liberation. This album expanded their sonic reach, blending Philadelphia-style strings with disco basslines, congas and synth textures. Recorded at the Diamond Mine studios in New York, Private Space showcased the full bloom of the Jones-Frazer partnership, a balance between Jones’ grit and Frazer’s falsetto shimmer.

4. “Lovers’ Holiday” (Flowers, 2025)

From the dancefloor, we move to their latest phase – a sonic bouquet that reaffirms the band’s devotion to melody, message and emotional truth. The 2025 release of their album Flowers presents the band’s most refined and contemplative work to date. Recorded after an extended break that included Jones’ acclaimed solo album and two solo albums by Frazer, the group reunited with a sound steeped in maturity and grace.

“Lovers’ Holiday” channels the sensual restraint of early-’70s Marvin Gaye and the craftsmanship of Thom Bell. The production is more panoramic complete with harps, horns and gospel textures woven seamlessly. The lyrics celebrate intimacy as a spiritual act, signaling a band confident in its evolution.

5. “Been So Long” (Flowers, 2025)

From a 4-track in an Indiana basement to world stages and cross-cultural resonance, Durand Jones & The Indications embody the revival and reinvention of true soul music that speaks to the conscience while keeping you moving. They have been able to move effortlessly through the genre, painting timeless tracks that feel both authentic and effortless, while they forge a path in their own lane.

Our final track, “Been So Long,” epitomizes the emotional centeredness of the Flowers album, a masterwork that bridges nostalgia with modern perspective. The song’s bittersweet melody and layered harmonies present the sound of a group that’s lived through change, while still believing in the redemptive power of soul music.

If you dig artists who embody the spirit of true soul music, keep listening to The Progressive Underground every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 FM and wdet.org. See you next time.

Durand Jones & The Indications will perform at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

More from The Progressive Underground:

• Pick of the Week (May 6): ‘Flower Moon’ by Durand Jones & The Indications
• 5-on-5: Snoh Aalegra, the cinematic songstress who feels every note
• After the silence: What D’Angelo’s life and music taught us about soul and survival