By Ian Bremner
It very well could be the year of Leon Bridges. It’s 2015, but don’t tell him. He hails from Texas, yet his appearance could come straight out of a 1950’s New York blues club. He has a sweet, southern, soulful voice with delicate guitar picking providing the perfect backdrop. He takes a few cues from his elders such as Sam Cooke, but his sound is new and unique. Bridges’ buttery sound would go great on a southern biscuit and diner coffee come to think of it.
His rise has been quick, but steady. Coming Home and Better Man, hit the internet with some mystery and left people begging for more. Slowly, he had begun to roll out more songs such as Lisa Sawyer, a stunningly simple song written about his mother, River, a truly beautiful song complete with gospel-filled background singers and lastly, Smooth Sailin’, accompanied with a very smooth music video.
Now, the entire 10-song album is among us. Not too long ago, the 25 year old was waiting tables in his hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas. The discovery of 50’s doowop and 60’s RnB inspired him to learn guitar and create songs of his own The world appreciates this realization. In the last year, he has torched showcases like SXSW, house shows, opened for Sharon Van Etten, Lord Huron, other soulful indie-likes and has seen his name on a growing list of Festival bills. Record companies were fighting over the rights to sign him and Columbia ultimately won. In the end, all people with ears should care about is his debut album, Coming Home, hitting the streets June 23rd. Then watch out.
Listen to full album, Coming Home
Official video for Coming Home
OLD ROOKIE 