Leon Bridges is the New Face of Soul
Leon Bridges never expected to become one of the most recognizable voices in music. The singer went to college to study dance, but his path changed when he took his first few steps into songwriting, dedicating a ballad called "Lisa Sawyer" to his mother. Soon, he was teaching himself how to play guitar and slowly building a body of work. Just a few short years later, Bridges is at the forefront of modern soul, the rare artist that has revitalized an entire genre.
Soul is a genre that's deceptively hard to get right. Since the 50's and 60's, the heyday of the style, countless musicians have tried to revisit that distinctive energy. What makes Bridges so special is that while he is an artist with thoroughly modern influences and equipment, he has captured the soul of soul, crafting songs that seem to exist beyond time or place.
Bridges first broke through in 2015, when he released his debut album to universal acclaim and healthy buzz. Despite being a fresh face, he became something of an overnight celebrity, but one that eschews the trappings of stardom. He's one of his generation's best talents, a fixture of America's clubs and music festivals, and yet he can still keep a low profile when he's not onstage.
The best introduction to Leon Bridges is through his music videos. "River," the most powerful of his videos, features lush visuals that capture the essence of his musical ethos. In the background, footage of the protests in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray plays.
Leon Bridges is on his way to becoming an icon, and we'd suggest catching him on tour before he becomes a household name.