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.
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.
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.
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.
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
This feels simultaneously the most out of his comfort zone and the most him. It's a blend of energetic beats and beautiful instrumentation danced around by his beautiful voice and solid lyrics. The vibe and melodies on Don't Worry are gorgeous and Ink's vocals fit it perfectly. The Robert Glasper feature is great and hopefully turns more people onto him. Blue Mesas is a beautiful and raw closer. There are some repetitive moments for sure but not enough to bog down what is overall an extremely ... read more
1 | Born Again 3:43 with Robert Glasper | 77 |
2 | Motorbike 3:08 | 79 |
3 | Steam 3:23 | 82 |
4 | Why Don't You Touch Me 3:17 | 82 |
5 | Magnolias 3:22 | 79 |
6 | Gold-Diggers (Junior's Fanfare) 0:41 | 73 |
7 | Details 3:16 | 79 |
8 | Sho Nuff 3:07 | 76 |
9 | Sweeter 2:48 feat. Terrace Martin | 74 |
10 | Don't Worry 6:41 feat. Ink | 85 |
11 | Blue Mesas 3:15 | 81 |
#10 | / | Good Morning America |
#20 | / | Rolling Stone |
#46 | / | RIFF |
/ | American Songwriter | |
/ | Esquire |