Album Review: Leon Bridges, Leon

There’s a point two minutes and 20 seconds into ‘When A Man Cries’, the opening track on Leon Bridges’ fourth album, when his universe shifts. Up until then, the song boasts a laid-back groove, over which the Texan troubadour’s soulful voice is given licence to soar. But at that moment, the music grows in stature, becoming instantly louder, strident, more purposeful. It’s like that moment when The Wizard Of Oz morphs from black & white to technicolour.

The Texan has his sights set clearly on the big time. Recent single ‘Laredo’ is super smooth and polished, like JJ Cale jamming with Al Green. The aching gospel of ‘Can’t Have It All’ is beautifully simple, not a million miles from Ray LaMontagne’s recent work, while the gorgeous, multi-tracked vocal acrobatics of ‘Simplify’ and ‘Ivy’ are extremely addictive. ‘Panther City’ is a wonderful mini-autobiography, where Bridges recalls his youth: “Goin’ down to the community centre/ Rock, paper, scissors/ ‘Cause you know the winner would be the first to play Nintendo 64”.

The smooth ‘Ain’t Got Nothin’ On You’ leaves the guitar, bass and drums very much in the background, allowing Bridges’ voice to take centre stage. Equally impressive is the quietly contagious country soul of ‘Ghetto Honeybee’.

Occasionally, the arrangements are a tad overblown, with the strings on ‘That’s What I Love’ almost drowning the song in gloop, while the overwrought ‘God Loves Everyone’ is a little mawkish.

For the most part, though, this is an assured collection that will help propel the Texan on his mission towards household name status.

7/10