Any current male singers like James Taylor?

Dan Fogleberg was akin to James Taylor IMO.

He was so talented. One of the best concerts I've ever seen was Dan with just his guitar/piano and no band.

He died far too soon.

And you don't go in for the old datalounge standard, Matt Alber, that has been linked here probably dozens of times?

Richard Shindell?

Or Troye Sivan?

Mark Kozelek

Josh Rouse

Well there's always James Taylor's own son, Ben, for the legacy.

Ron Sexsmith

OK. Thanks for the suggestions. Most of these are spare and melancholy and/or Country/Western. They also have heavy themes. I'm looking for something midtempo, upbeat themes and soulful background harmonies; like James Taylor in the 80s. Something that could be in the background on a roadtrip with several generations in the car -- kids, parents, etc.

I used to listen to Crosby, Stills, Nash in the 70s. These musicians would have been James Taylor's contemporaries. I think you'll get that same Taylor laid-back, melodic vibe without the current millennial angst.

Tyler Hilton - great hooks, sexy soulful voice.

James Taylor is the single most horrific thing put upon mankind.

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but does it actually matter if the themes are dark? Is anyone actually going to be listening to the lyrics on your road trip?

Anyway, this is actually an interesting topic, OP. I hadn't realized how unusual what you're asking is, since I don't listen to the kind of 'it' pop music you mentioned.

Hopefully, there'll be some good rec's.

His brother Livingston Taylor puts on a great live performance:

[quote] male singers (or groups) today with pleasant voices who record pleasant, contemporary pop music

Okay, I'm going to play fast and loose with you said you were looking for. None of these examples sound like Taylor, but they meet all the other requirements, plus light lyrics. Maybe, this'll stir the rec's from alt country.

This was the first song that came to my mind.

Some of Patrick Wolf's lighter music...

Mac DeMarco is pretty upbeat.

My suggestions aren't so much current as classic and longstanding, but that's always good, right?

I was about to suggest Mark Knopfler, but his last handful of albums have all been eerie, downer Country Gothic with a lot of bleak Celtic folk, so I would recommend a trip further back to Dire Straits. They did upbeat, poppy stuff mixed in with cheeky retro and soul/rockabilly, perfect for car journeys. Maybe go with their 90's releases 'Money for Nothing' and 'On Every Street', which have all the fun singalong radio hits plus some hidden gems (tbh their 80's stuff can be a little morbid and political).

Failing that you could give Chris Rea a go. He does serious and long winded (but exemplary) Latin and Blues guitar almost exclusively now, but there was a time he was the go-to for soulful, beachy, easygoing smooth driving tunes, a lovely warm blend of harmonious riffs. 'On the Beach' would be the perfect starter if it were summer (or maybe 'King of the Beach', the unofficial sequel) but if you wanted something ASAP give the albums 'Tennis', 'Auberge' or 'Expresso Logic' a spin. He's unfairly maligned by the music industry and always has been, but he's got a lot to offer and for your purposes I think you'll like his work.

Iron and Wine, singer-songwritery style.

Very upbeat, but might be too punk.

Father John Misty... I love you honeybear.

When I was young, my family used to take Sunday drives in the summer. The windows would be down, the wind in our hair, the eight track tape blaring away (yeah, it that long ago) and all of us would be singing our hearts out to John Denver tunes. Some of my fondest childhood memories were those roadtrips. Other singers would be played (eg. Neil Diamond, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot) but it was John Denver I remember the most.

Sorry just realized that you wanted "current" singers and I listed older ones in my post. For the life of me, I can't think of anyone similar to James Taylor. The only current male singers I listen to are Chris Isaak and Ed Sheeran but I wouldn't call them uplifting. To tell you the truth, I don't really listen to many new artists. Not a big help, I know.

Ed Sheeran?!?

The same Ed Sheeran that used to hang around Taylor Swift? Hooookay.

I would say Zayn Malik but we haven't had his solo album yet.

Ray Lamontagne.

Doug Paisley (not the country singer named Paisley)

Jay Jay Pistolet

Another cote for Ron Sexsmith

Belle and Sebastian are often quite heavy but they never sound heavy

Amos Lee

His voice isn't as distinctive as Taylor (very few are), but most of his songs are laid back

Jack Johnson!

Cool Australian singer songwriter

To the OP -- I'm sure they're probably not on the lounge anymore but I love that album. I grew up hearing it on cassette. In the car, in the house, on the way to old favorite haunts. 'That's Why I'm Here' is one of James' strongest albums from side to side. I love its slightly electronic 80s production yet still has the comfortable feeling of soft rock. It's like being in a late 80s Cadillac with an all digital dash, yet the seats are so comfy. Not to mention the full ashtrays. These were the days!