“Leon” - Leon Bridges Album Review

The air outside is getting colder, the leaves are turning to shades of yellow and orange and many people wish that it could be June again.

Luckily, R&B and soul artist Leon Bridges gifted his audience with one more taste of summer in his fourth studio album, self-titled “Leon.”

After his 2015 debut album, “Coming Home,” Bridges looked to define himself as an artist and find his sound. While the albums share recurring messages about the importance of home and family, “Leon” is a more descriptive body of work.

Bridges’ sweet tunes perfectly emulate the feelings of a calm summer day. In the second track, “That’s What I Love,” Leon lists all of his favorite things, using vivid descriptions that transport the listener to the Texas summers.

“Reminiscing on the sweet moments of my childhood, that’s what I love,” says Bridges. Nostalgia is a common theme throughout the album.

He describes warm and familiar places and the safety those feelings bring. Every listener has memories from when they were a kid, and these come flooding back when listening to this style of music.

“Teddy’s Tune” is a gentle acoustic guitar duet with the soft sounds of birds chirping in the background. Although the track is only 53 seconds long, it is unforgettable and does not require lyrics to make it shine.

“Laredo” was undoubtedly one of the strongest tracks on the album. From the vocal style to the production, this song seems to be heavily influenced by Frank Ocean. The guitars and drums in the background make for a complex sound behind his soft melodies. This appears to be Bridges’ sweet spot and a key area where he can develop his musical identity.

Bridges also experimented with other sounds by infusing rock and jazz into his music, like in “Peaceful Place” and “Ghetto Honeybee.” These tracks especially show his versatility as an artist, as he has stepped out of his comfort zone in R&B.

Some artists get into the habit of repeating what works and avoiding deviation. Bridges, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to express himself through his music and grow as an artist.

This album feels like an exclusive look into Leon Bridges’ life and mind. He speaks directly from his heart to the audience, recounting the things he has seen, done and learned along the way.

Bridges is still a relatively new artist and has time to develop his skill set and solidify his name in the R&B genre. It would also be interesting to see Bridges collaborate with other artists.

Only one of his four studio albums have any features. As an emerging artist, making those connections in the music industry will likely help grow his brand and increase his listener base.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewer’s Favorite Songs: “Laredo,” “Teddy’s Tune,” “That’s What I Love”

Reviewer’s Least Favorite Songs: “God Loves Everyone,” “Ivy,” “Never Satisfied”

Matthew Peters is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu.