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NewsAugust, 29 Leon Bridges on Empowering Fans Through Music
Leon Bridges believes artists have a duty to uplift their audience. The singer-songwriter and producer says music can be a source of strength in tough times, and he hopes his upcoming fifth studio album, Happiness Anytime, carries a positive message. “There’s so much darkness in this world,” he told W Magazine. “As artists, we have a responsibility to use our platform and use our art to empower.” While Bridges previously drew on vintage soul for his albums, his new record shifts toward funk and Afrobeat. “I love reinventing myself with each album,” he said. “I love to keep them guessing, ‘What’s he going to do next?’ My last album, Leon, was a window into my heart. And this one is an embodiment of my joy.” The 37-year-old describes the record as an “aural travel itinerary,” taking listeners through different cultures and sounds. “It really takes you to a place,” he said. “I tried to pull from Latin rhythms and traditional African culture while still making it my own thing.” He credits Nigerian musician Fela Kuti as a major inspiration, noting that Kuti himself was influenced by American soul, James Brown, and Funkadelic. “It’s almost full circle,” Bridges said. Happiness Anytime, featuring 12 tracks, is due out on 25 September.
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