Following a tumultuos year and a half of ups and downs for the singer, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are back with a soulful new track entitled “Little Boys with Shiny Toys.”

Photo credit: Raymond Flotat

The song recalls much of the late-sixties and early-seventies soul hayday, with a reliance on the horn section to control the dynamics and sway of the song. Jones’ belting is powerful enough to draw favorable comparisons to Ronnie Spector, as it keeps pushing the arrangements forward while weaving around the instrumental parts. At the same time, the lyrical theme of an unfaithful lover will speak to every generation of soul, funk and R&B fan.

The release of the song follows hot on the heels of Jones and co. receiving their first Grammy nomination for soul album of the year. As mentioned above, though, the past year was also fraught with uncertainty for the singer, following the announcement that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the subsequent postponement of the album’s release.

After finishing her treatment and learning from her doctors that she was cancer free, the band released Give the People What They Want as well as a video for “Stranger to My Happiness” before heading out on the late night circuit and touring extensively.

It’s truly a triumph of the human spirit, and that essence certainly makes its way on to the new song. Her first offical release since Give the People What They Want, you can listen to “Little Boys with Shiny Toys” below.