From humble beginnings of playing open mic nights in Fort Wayne, Texas, Leon Bridges has become one of the most distinguished singer-songwriters to emerge from the USA in the last decade. Separating himself from the more modern, trendy artist, Bridges has made his way with a classic elegancy of ‘50s and ‘60s R&B and Soul, but all while interjecting a level of progression into each of his songs. A pure songwriter in every word of the sense, Bridges can be found strumming out chords on a guitar while jotting down lyrics derived from personal experience. Possessing an ability to craft upbeat songs like 2018’s “If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be),” thought-provoking, slower ones such as “Bad Bad News,” also from 2018, or romantic R&B cuts like 2021’s “Magnolias,” Bridges is truly a dynamic artist. Furthermore, he can even take you down to a pure place of faith with startlingly emotional cuts like 2015’s “River.”
You would think an artist of Bridges type would not appeal much to a modern listening audience, but that is not true, because his 2015 debut album Coming Home went platinum, 2018’s Good Thing peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 charts, while winning him a Grammy for “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand,” and 2021’s Gold-Diggers Sound earned a Grammy nomination for the best R&B album. What does this all prove? It proves that if you present listeners with good music, they will gravitate to it. That is why it comes with tremendous curiosity to learn that Bridges is set to release a new album on October 4, 2024, called Leon through Columbia Records.
Bridge’s fourth overall studio album, Leon is the perfect next step now a decade into his professional career. He has been consistent from album to album, but you could argue that Gold-Diggers Sound was his most experimental to date. Looking back for a moment, that album found Bridges trying a little more Progressive and Alternative elements in his music, all projecting a dignified modern R&B vibe. Working quite well, it seems he took that experience to heart when going into Leon, but instead, sprinkles in a few new stylistic approaches this time to the process.
Giving you thirteen new, original songs, the pre-album releases are “Peaceful Place” (premiering August 8th), “Laredo” (out as of September 3rd), and “That’s What I Love” (arriving on September 27th). Grear early samples, Bridges successfully gives you three very different moods with each of them. Indicative of what the rest of Leon offers, the mood is by and large downbeat, but each song has a different delicate mix of textures laying comfortably behind silky smooth vocals.
Much like prior material, Bridges bears his soul in each of these songs, and this is evident boldly in “When A Man Cries,” “Simplify,” and the aforementioned “Peaceful Place.” Samples of a man navigating through life like the rest of us and trying to find a space less complex and pure, it is impossible not to get lost in the tales being told. Beyond these songs, there are plenty more words of wisdom woven into every part of Leon; from the introspective “Panther City,” to the hopeful “Ivy,” and the tearfully beautiful “God Loves Everyone.”
Altogether Leon Bridges has successfully made an album that is authentic, intelligent, and full of thought-provoking feelings. Refreshing in a world that feeds on negativity or vacuous personalities, Bridges shows that deeply thoughtful songwriting is what we need. All that can be said is this is a perfect R&B and Soul album that crosses genres; bridging in Folk, Pop, and even Country Rock at moments. If you know Leon Bridges, you are going to love this. However, if you are someone relatively new to him, because you play into the marketing of sticking within your selected genre’s lane, move on over and try something new. Delightfully intricate and well-done, Cryptic Rock gives Leon 5 out of 5 stars.
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