In 2014, the music world witnessed the arrival of a new force in the world of funk and soul revival. Jungle, the London-based collective led by childhood friends Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson( known collectively as "J" and "T") released their self-titled debut through XL Recordings in July of that year. The album instantly turned heads with its slick, groove-driven sound, blending elements of neo-soul, funk, electronic, and modern R&B into a uniquely fresh and energetic package. With a sharp aesthetic, viral music videos, and a sense of mystery surrounding the band’s identity at the time, Jungle not only revived vintage sounds but did so with contemporary flair.

What began as a bedroom project quickly evolved into a seven-piece live band, but the heart and soul of Jungle remains rooted in the tight production and vision of McFarland and Lloyd-Watson. They played nearly all the instruments on the record themselves–crafting layered rhythmic tracks that recall the lush soundscapes of Curtis Mayfield, the groove-centric focus of Prince, and the funk-soul dynamism of the early '70s and '80s. Their sonic world is rich in falsetto harmonies, crisp percussion, fat basslines, and glossy synths.

Upon its release, Jungle was met with strong critical acclaim. The album was shortlisted for the 2014 Mercury Prize, and “Busy Earnin’” became one of the defining tracks of that summer. It was also the band’s first release to receive a Dolby Atmos mix, created by original stereo mixer David Wrench. Though the Atmos mix has been accessible via streaming services for some time, fans can now purchase it as a hi-res digital download in the IAA shop!

The opening track, “The Heat,” sets the tone for the album’s overarching aesthetic–tight grooves, minimalistic lyrics, and a carefully orchestrated sense of cool. The rhythm section stays locked to the front speakers, while keyboards drift out towards the side surround channels and the siren sound effects pop up from behind. The vocals reside within the front ‘phantom’ center position, rather than isolated in the center speaker.

Next comes “Accelerate,” a track that builds tension with layered percussive loops and dreamy synth swells. The funk influence is undeniable, but there's also an undercurrent of modern hip-hop production sensibility–particularly in the chopped and looped vocal treatments. The Atmos mix again foregrounds the drums and vocals, pushing additional layers of keyboard and funky rhythm guitar out into the room.

The album’s breakout hit, “Busy Earnin’,” is perhaps the best example of Jungle’s approach. Thanks to its horn-driven hook, strutting bassline, and an infectious chorus, the song became a radio and festival favorite. On a 9.1.4 or 9.1.6 system, the synth brass appears almost entirely isolated in the front wide channels.

“Platoon” is built around a lurching beat and playful vocal effects, while “Drops” slows things down. The latter trades in the dancefloor for something more introspective, with a haunting falsetto chorus and hypnotic instrumentation. The trance-like keyboard line floats out into the room, touching the front, side, and front height speakers.

“Time,” one of the album’s strongest tracks, returns to the upbeat funk formula with more emotional weight. Percussion extends up to the height array, while a synth pad fills up the side surrounds. The production here is particularly crisp, with tight guitar riffs and a percussive backbone that drives the song forward.

The instrumental interlude “Smoking Pixels” offers a brief cinematic pause, almost evoking a Spaghetti Western vibe, before leading into “Julia.” The shimmering synths and layered vocals soar towards the height array, with the percussion holding down the fort at ear-level.  “Crumbler” and “Son of a Gun” keep the energy up, providing more swirling synth layers and dynamic percussion.

The album’s final stretch includes “Lucky I Got What I Want,” a slower, moodier track that builds with looping vocal samples and a cinematic arrangement. It’s more of a vibe than a song in the traditional sense, but it’s deeply effective. The closer, “Lemonade Lake,” ends the album on a dreamlike note, with echoed guitars and an ambient wash of sound that suggests both reflection and resolution.

Jungle’s sound is a study in controlled funk. Unlike the raw, jam-based funk of James Brown or Parliament, the band leans into a more refined groove-first production style. There are no extended solos or showy musicianship–instead, the songs are tightly structured and hook-driven. Their minimalist approach to lyrics, often repeating mantras rather than telling full stories, works to hypnotic effect. 

This is music that looks backward and forward at the same time. The influences are worn proudly, but filtered through a 21st-century lens of sampling, looping, and digital layering. Jungle is often compared to acts like Chromeo, Tame Impala, or Jamiroquai, but their focus on groove over flash makes them stand out even within that eclectic crowd.

IAA offers immersive digital downloads in the lossless Dolby TrueHD format. While streaming services offer convenience and access to a vast library of music, they also severely compress the audio to save bandwidth. With lossless TrueHD, the inner detail and sonic clarity is much-better preserved for home listeners.

Jungle is the twentieth(!) entry in an ongoing series of high-resolution digital immersive releases from IAA and Beggars Group, one of the world's largest and most-respected independent label groups. Beggars Group is home to 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade, XL Recordings and Young, as well as a growing publishing wing (Beggars Music) and a successful catalog imprint (Beggars Arkive).

Many more new album releases from Beggars Group are already available to stream in Dolby Atmos, including key titles from landmark artists such as Bartees Strange, Future Islands, Fontaines D.C., Jamie xx, and more. Over the coming months, we plan to make more of this fantastic immersive catalog available in hi-res downloadable form through our online shop.

Purchase Jungle in the IAA Shop!

About the Author

Immersive Audio Album is a marketplace where immersive and surround sound artists can sell their music.