Loess-paleosol sequences are unique terrestrial archives for the reconstruction of Quaternary landscape and climate history. The development of novel, more quantitative paleoclimate proxies may initiate a new era of loess research over the next decade. This review paper presents the principles, analytical backgrounds, and first applications of some of these new proxies that are currently being developed. We discuss the potential of (i) n-alkanes as plant leaf wax-derived biomarkers for reconstructing vegetation history, (ii) amino acid racemization and glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) indices as proxies for reconstructing paleotemperature and (iii) compound-specific δD and δ18O analyzes of plant-derived n-alkanes and monosaccharides, respectively, as proxies for reconstructing paleoclimate/-aridity. While we want to inspire the readership about the exciting methodological and analytical developments and their potential for loess research, the current limitations and shortcomings of each proxy should not be overlooked. Degradation effects and possible post-depositional 'contamination', for example, need to be considered when interpreting biomarker records, and the deconvolution of varying factors influencing the isotopic signals can be challenging.