Leon Bridges drops 4 new songs
Leon Bridges is preparing to deliver a soulful new chapter, with his upcoming release Happiness Anytime set to arrive on September 25th via Columbia Records. This forthcoming project is the second of three EPs and marks a compelling journey that reconnects the Texas-reared singer with the warm grooves of his musical past.
The sound of Happiness Anytime is a rich tapestry woven from familiar comfort and adventurous rhythm. Produced by the dynamic duo Jungle, J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto, the album features buoyant tracks like the title song “Talk It Over,” the groovy “All Day All Night” featuring Kitto, and the uplifting anthem “Fly Baby,” which speaks to finding positivity amidst struggle.
The creative process itself was as collaborative as the music. Bridges worked with Jungle for three rapid sessions to craft the core material, only later bringing in bassist Pino Palladino to complete the vision at Los Angeles’ Chaplin Recording Studios. This collaborative approach ensured the music absorbed the adventurous groove of previous works while reaching toward the sophisticated influences of masters like Fela Kuti and Paul Simon, without falling into simple retro homage.
For Bridges, happiness is not a feeling to be chased, but something meant to linger. He articulated this sentiment regarding the project, stating, “I want this album to be something that lingers with people and lingers in people’s bones.”
The emotional landscape of the record is further illustrated by the accompanying video for “Talk It Over,” which was filmed in Amsterdam and choreographed by the Plue Agency, adding a cinematic layer to the music.
Beyond the studio, Bridges is bringing this sound to life in increasingly kinetic settings. His live performance, Leon Bridges Presents Happiness Anytime, is a vibrant experience. The show features a vinyl DJ, a horn section, three backing vocalists, and Bridges himself dancing front and center, drawing inspiration from Jamaican dancehall culture to emphasize movement and joy.
This kinetic energy has taken him on a whirlwind summer tour, introducing Happiness Anytime in dynamic environments across major cities. From Paris and Cannes to Los Angeles, London, Chicago, and the Outside Lands in San Francisco, Bridges has managed to infuse the music with an infectious, physical warmth that perfectly embodies the title of his new endeavor.
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