The soul singer breaks out of his comfort zone with a sparkling collection that evades easy answers.
An exquisite album by a mercurial talent.
‘Gold-Diggers Sound’ is an effortless and easy listen thanks to the high production value, Bridges’ velvety-smooth vocals, and the strength of his songwriting, it’s set to be one of the albums of the year.
While more of a slow burn than his previous efforts, ‘Gold-Diggers Sound’ sees Leon Bridges shine brighter as a songwriter, as an artist and as a man than ever.
The star's latest offering maintains the traditional elements of old-school soul of his previous work but introduces a new, vibrant, almost luminous aesthetic.
Not only is Gold-Diggers Sound the most cohesive release Bridges has put out to date, it’s also the most distinctive. This sounds like the album he’s been trying to make his entire career, while also managing to pay homage and give credit to the stylistic forebears that trod the path before him.
Gold-Diggers Sound’s finest moments are the soft as a whisper ones. The sound of slipping into something a little more comfortable.
Gold-Diggers Sound is yet another graceful, often captivating deviation from the retro path most critics probably expected him to stick with.
That Bridges' voice, with its mix of rapture and hurt, is a thing of effortless beauty hardly needs repeating.
Gold-Diggers Sound is a very laid-back, easy listening album; there’s no particular ‘wow factor’ however, I respect the progression developments and experimentation since his debut.
The Texas singer delivers a smooth, risk-averse R&B album whose nostalgic trappings aim for timelessness.
Gold-Diggers Sound is its own better place and time, not separate from the stresses outside, but a creamy balm to their aches.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Leon Bridges that single-handedly revived the vintage R&B/Soul sound 40 years later, the Leon Bridges that made some of the catchiest and genuine music of the 2010s, the Leon Bridges we all knew and loved...has left the building.
Decent 5/10
Tracklist:
Favourite: Why Don't You Touch Me
Worst: Sho Nuff
1. Born Again (with Robert Glasper) - 7
2. Motorbike - 8
3. Steam - 7
4. Why Don't You Touch Me - 10
5. Magnolias - 8
6. Gold-Diggers (Junior's Fanfare) - (not included)
7. Details - 6
8. Sho Nuff - 5
9. Sweeter (feat. Terrace Martin) - 6
10. Don't Worry (feat. Ink) - 8
11. Blue Mesas - 9
Average: 7.4
Quick Comment: Feels refreshing and just a bit of a vibe. Sometimes I thin lyrically it can be a corny at times but the ... read more
Leon Bridges doesn’t shock, surprise or even considers bringing anything new to the table.
it was a nice album but I've never really been a big traditional r&b fan. i'm not sure what about it doesn't really do it for me tbh but I've rarely really connected with most r&b songs i've listened to. i like don't worry.
good vibes, enjoyable listen, but nothing that stands out. just a well-done R&B album, nothing more and nothing less.
1 | Born Again 3:43 with Robert Glasper | 74 |
2 | Motorbike 3:08 | 77 |
3 | Steam 3:23 | 80 |
4 | Why Don't You Touch Me 3:17 | 81 |
5 | Magnolias 3:22 | 77 |
6 | Gold-Diggers (Junior's Fanfare) 0:41 | 73 |
7 | Details 3:16 | 76 |
8 | Sho Nuff 3:07 | 72 |
9 | Sweeter 2:48 feat. Terrace Martin | 67 |
10 | Don't Worry 6:41 feat. Ink | 83 |
11 | Blue Mesas 3:15 | 77 |
#10 | / | Good Morning America |
#20 | / | Rolling Stone |
#46 | / | RIFF Magazine |
/ | American Songwriter | |
/ | Esquire |