NXT UP: Gabriels
GABRIELS - Courtesy of Atlas Artists x Parlophone Records
I’ll never forget the day I discovered Gabriels. A very close friend of mine recommended me their music, after seing them perform in Paris. She knew exactly I would fall in love with it. And what can I say? I was blown away.
Gabriels are a British-American soul trio whose lush, emotionally charged music has carved out a distinct place in contemporary soul and R&B. Formed in Los Angeles in 2016, the group consists of lead vocalist Jacob Lusk, keyboardist/producer Ryan Hope and violinist/producer Ari Balouzian a, trio whose diverse backgrounds converge into a rich, retro-futuristic sound. The band’s name comes from St. Gabriel’s Avenue in Sunderland, England, where Hope grew up, and it embodies the blend of personal influence and spiritual depth that defines their music.
The story of Gabriels began when Hope and Balouzian, originally collaborating on music for a commercial project, encountered Lusk’s vocal work with a choir he directed in Los Angeles. What began as a studio conversation quickly turned into creative collaboration: the chemistry was immediate and transformative. Lusk’s gospel roots, nurtured in church environments and enriched by his own journey through American Idol (where he finished fifth in 2011) and later work as a backing vocalist for legends like Diana Ross and Gladys Knight, became the emotional core of Gabriels’ sound.
Gabriels’ early releases helped shape their identity as soulful storytellers. In 2020 they issued their debut extended play Love and Hate in a Different Time, a deeply evocative collection that immediately attracted critical attention. Elton John famously hailed the EP’s title track as “one of the most seminal records I’ve heard in the last ten years,” a high-profile endorsement that helped propel the band into broader awareness. Shortly after came their second EP Bloodlines, further cementing their reputation as artists capable of blending gospel-infused vocals with cinematic orchestration and modern production.
In 2022, Gabriels released their ambitious debut album Angels & Queens - Part I, produced with Grammy-nominated collaborators and praised for its theatrical blend of soul, jazz, gospel and orchestral flourishes. Critics described the project as emotionally profound and genre-defying, with songs that explore themes of identity, love, loss and resilience. The album’s second installment, Angels & Queens – Part II, followed in 2023, building on the dramatic arc established in Part I and showcasing the trio’s evolving songwriting and production strengths.
Gabriels’ rise has not been limited to studio acclaim. Their live performances at major festivals, including Glastonbury Festival and Coachella, introduced them to international audiences and underscored their dynamic presence on stage. They also supported major artists like Harry Styles on tour and appeared in high-profile television settings, reflecting a growing global footprint. Their impact has been recognized with nominations such as International Group of the Year at the Brit Awards, affirming their crossover appeal across markets.
At the heart of Gabriels’ music is the powerful delivery of Jacob Lusk, whose expressive, gospel-tinged vocals carry both vulnerability and strength, seamlessly woven into the lush, layered productions crafted by Hope and Balouzian. Their collective influences, from gospel and doo-wop to jazz, R&B and orchestral soul, create a sonic world that feels timeless yet distinctly modern, resonating with listeners through both emotional nuance and musical ambition.