Where Are You

Retro soul is a 21st‑century revival of 1960s–1970s American soul and R&B aesthetics. It emphasizes live rhythm sections, punchy horn and string arrangements, call‑and‑response vocals, and vintage recording techniques that evoke classic Motown, Stax, and deep Southern soul. Compared with neo‑soul, retro soul tends to avoid contemporary hip‑hop production, opting instead for period‑correct tones: analogue tape saturation, ribbon mics, plate/spring reverbs, and tightly arranged songs built on strong hooks and groove. The movement coalesced around independent labels and studios (notably Daptone Records) and later crossed over via artists who blended the sound with contemporary pop sensibilities.