1950s Style & Sound is Coming Home
Written by Jillian
If you haven’t yet heard about Leon Bridges, one of the newest young musical sensations in the US via Fort Worth, Texas, then prepare to get familiar with his name very soon. There are few things that excite me more than discovering a new passionate and talented young artist, and Leon Bridges is exactly that and much more. At just 25 years old, the velvet voiced and baby faced Bridges has become somewhat of an overnight success, drawing comparisons to likes of Sam Cooke with his soulful sound. The amount of talent this young guy has also startles the hell out of me; while we are the same age, Bridges is successfully creating an old-yet-new sound all his own while touring Europe and the US, and I “successfully” drank seven gin & tonics and then ate pizza at 4am Saturday night. Way to make me feel good about myself, Leon.
Despite being disgruntled with my own lack of musical talent, Bridges DOES make me feel good. Real, real, real good. His debut album Coming Home is one of my favorites so far this year and everything about the album is an excellent representation of who Bridges is and who he is becoming as an artist. This kid looks and sounds like he was plucked straight out of 1958 because not only is he embracing this old soul sound, he is also committed to the fashion of the 1950s. Vintage has never looked or sounded so good! In order to properly introduce you to my favorite new artist, we’ll be taking a look at Coming Home track by track, featuring photos from Bridges’ own Instagram account (@leonbridgesofficial - where he also completely murders it) that I think exemplify each song.
First, stream the album here!
1. Coming Home
Alright I’m going to break my own rule for this review right out of the gate because there is honestly no better way to exemplify the title track than the music video itself. ALSO I’M A REBEL AND DON’T LIKE RULES SO GET OVER IT. But don’t get over this song. I don’t think you could if you tried.
By the time I got through “Baby, baby, baby…” for the first time I was hooked. It’s the first three words of the song - IT’S THE SAME DAMN WORD REPEATED THREE TIMES and that is all it took for me to be in love with Leon. I can never describe what it is about soul music that I connect with so easily, but I’ll chalk it up to having an old soul. The only way I can describe how instantaneous my connection with his music was is that it was similar to how I felt the first time I came across Otis Redding’s live performance of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” from the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967.
I love that “Coming Home” is the title track because it encompasses so many of the album’s themes. In it’s most obvious interpretation, the song is about coming home to the person you love. In terms of the title of the album, I think it it’s a great way to convey how Bridges is “coming home” to a sound that both came naturally to him and inspired him; for the listener we are “coming home” the root of so many musical genres, soul music itself. Getting back to the basics, if you will. Also what I love about watching the video is the juxtaposition ($5 word - thanks college) of Bridges’ style and sound with his youth - it’s almost as if your brain is trying to figure out how this youngin’ is singing with the passion and soul of an old man. But with every passing note, your brain decides to stop trying to figure it out and just concedes to “HOLY SHIT THIS IS AMAZING!”
2. Better Man
""With you, although im poor I feel like a king. With you, although I have nothing, I feel I have everything." -sam cooke Playing at lolas saloon at 9..."
“What can I do, what can I do, to get back to your heart? I’d swim the Mississippi River if you would give me another start, girl.”
One of my favorite lines of any song EVER, and this is probably my favorite track on the album. I took a trip to New Orleans recently and stood at the Mississippi River - do you realize HOW BIG it really is? It’s massive! That’s impossible! But, what I love about Leon is that when he sings it, I believe this dude would swim the Mighty Mississippi for me. Swoon.
What makes Bridges’ soul music so successful and, in my opinion, so important, is that he is seamlessly blending his own sound that is nostalgic of the legendary late 50s and early 60s soul music, yet still feels like something new. You would think creating a sound like that might seem forced, but the best part of Bridges’ vibe is that it all comes across as completely effortless. Also, I really dig the use of the word “Jezebels” on this track. Props.
3. Brown Skin Girl
"Thanks to @fat_possum for sending me some records! Early Christmas! Photo by @rambo"
Simplicity is a running theme in Bridges’ music and this song is no different. I love how light, flirty and sweet this song is. No frills or fuss, just Leon being super sweet about an initial attraction to a beautiful woman across the room. We’ve all been there before, and this song embodies that butterfly feeling almost too well.
4. Smooth Sailin'
"We out here Austin! Spotify House tomorrow at 2:30 pm! #SXSW Photo by @rambo"
This guy has so much swag. It’s almost impossible to believe he started playing guitar and writing music only three years ago. Just gotta roll the car windows down on a sunny day or dance around the living room to this one.
5. Shine
"Thank you @afropunk for having us! It was a special night for me! Photo by @rambo"
If you haven’t picked up on it already, Bridges’ music is heavily influenced by religious themes and gospel music, as is the case with classic soul music. The only gospel-esque songs I know and frequently listen to are by Sam Cooke (“Touch the Hem of His Garment” and “Jesus Gave Me Water”) and I probably wouldn’t have liked these kinds of songs if I didn’t get into soul music first. The religious underlying tones of soul music add to the emotion of each track and, for lack of a better word, “soul” of the songs. I love the organ on this track which gives it even more of that authentic gospel sound.
6. Lisa Sawyer
"O mother of mine."
This is one of the first songs Bridges wrote after a failed attempt at writing hip hop tracks. When friend of his asked if he was channeling Sam Cooke on this song, written about his mother, he admitted he really didn’t know any of Cooke’s music. This is where it all began - after Bridges’ discovery of and his affinity for soul, he decided he wanted to make music with a timeless sound. Although this is one of the lengthier songs in terms of lyric content, in a way it’s the most simple - the story of his mother’s life. The way its arranged almost feels like a lullaby. This one definitely grew on me the more I listened to it. Repeat and enjoy.
7. Flowers
"Out west @rambo"
I love the upbeat tempo on this track, showing that soul music doesn’t always have to be about heartbreak and sadness. If there was a soundtrack to the perfect moment on a perfect day, I think this song would do the trick. Lay in the sun, tap your toes and whether you’re religious or not, allow Leon to let you believe in a higher power for two minutes and 57 seconds.
8. Pull Away
"My mother always wanted to be a professional singer but couldn't because of certain circumstances. Traveling this road for her. Photo taken in..."
This song reminded me almost immediately of the Sha Na Na version of “Tears on My Pillow” (originally by Little Anthony and the Imperials) that was in Grease. I love heartbreak songs in soul music because it’s usually the male vocalists singing about their vulnerabilities in an honest way that I feel like we don’t see much anymore. I can picture "Pull Away" being the perfect background song to a glass of red wine and lots of crying after a breakup.
9. Twistin' and Groovin'
"Got to boogie boogie with @sharonvanhalen on the dance floor! Had a great time! Photo by @rambo"
As amazing as Bridges is, I want to meet his band. I want to meet the saxophonist in his band featured on this track. I want to kiss this saxophonist. I’m a sucker for a good brass section in a band, and these folks have got their shit together. This makes me want to snap my fingers and dance with a cute boy - (probably) like his saxophonist.
10. River
""Dip me in your smooth waters I go in as a man with many crimes/ come up for air, as my sins float down the Jordan. " Thank yall for all the love towards..."
Leon did the work for me on this photo. Remember how I said “Better Man” might be my favorite track? I lied. The more I listen to "River," the more it just hits me to my core. I love that he featured his background singers on this track (who are also absolutely phenomenal) - adding the dimension of the female voice and the stripped down sound just makes it feel that much more authentic. Get ready to feel ALL THE EMOTIONS. Although it’s written in a religious aspect, I think it easily could also be interpreted as a love song.
Oh, did I mention the entirety of the album is LIVE RECORDINGS?! I can almost not deal with this caliber of artist. Leon Bridges is the real deal, folks. Whether you're new to soul or this is a favorite genre of yours, any fan of any music should listen to this album and get a sample of the sound that continues to influence all genres of music. The best songs, no matter what the genre, make you FEEL something. Whether that's pain, anger, heartbreak or joy may depend on the day or your mood, but with the right soul music, you can feel all of them at once.
If you want more Leon...
and how could you not?! Check out him out here, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.