Leon

Leon

Album ∙ R&B/Soul ∙ 2024

Leon Bridges

When Leon Bridges made his debut in 2015 with Coming Home, critics and peers alike were amazed by his velvety retro-soul stylings reminiscent of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Widening his horizons, his third album Gold-Diggers Sound showcased a different side of the Texas crooner, leaving behind the ’50s and ’60s vibe that helped propel him to stardom for a mix of ’80s and ’90s R&B mixed with lush, jazz-inspired live instrumentation. “I kind of always felt like a lone wolf in the industry, and yes, my music is under the umbrella of R&B, but I’ve always felt like I was never fully embraced in that community,” Bridges tells Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “And so it was kind of a thought that ‘Leon’ is the genre, and as far as the whole album is kind of like a window into who I am.” Now, with his self-titled album, Leon Bridges is ready to reintroduce himself and invite his fans into his world.

Leon is an intimate and revealing love letter to the singer-songwriter’s hometown, his upbringing, and the stories that helped shape him into the artist he is now. “Prior to this one, I’ve definitely scratched the surface of it,” he says. “This one digs into a lot of my experiences as a kid growing up in Fort Worth, and it really talks about the things that I’ve valued most in this life, which are family and home.” Bridges is vulnerable as he faces his fears on the smooth and serene album opener “When a Man Cries,” while on the breezy, guitar-laced track “Panther City,” he is nostalgic, reminiscing on hazy summer days growing up, with references to Nintendo 64 and going down to the local community center.

Bridges pays homage on the downtempo and rocksteady track “Laredo,” which details a fleeting night in the border town that left a memorable and lasting impression on him. “That’s What I Love” highlights some of the things and moments that Bridges holds near and dear to his heart: “Bourbon, Cadillacs, blue denim, makin’ love on the beach in the mornin’/Springtime on the Trinity River, gold jewelry, all-black penny loafers,” he croons on the opening verse. His favorite things aren’t only material and sensual in nature, but he also mixes in romance while singing about his partner. “Peaceful Place” finds the singer confident in this version of himself and his music, while reassuring himself that he’s exactly where he needs to be: “I’m in a peaceful place/I’ve found something no one can take away.”