Leon Bridges has been one of my favorite artists since his debut album "Coming Home" in 2015.
"Coming Home" had a refreshingly retro vibe, channeling the soul music giant Sam Cooke with an effortless crooning style. Every track was a hit, from the appropriately titled "Twistin' & Groovin'" to the album's finale, the beautiful gospel song "River."
I saw Leon in concert in 2016 and he opened his encore by playing Ginuwine's 90's hit "Pony." From this fun cover, I could tell his style was evolving.
Leon's 2018 release of "Good Thing" shows he won't be pigeonholed into one era or one style.
1. "Bet Ain't Worth the Hand"
Leon kicks the album off with a Curtis Mayfield-esque harp and strings intro. He opens with a brilliant falsetto, and it works wonderfully. The vocal layering throughout the track really enhances the catchiness. "Bet Ain't Worth the Hand" is a brisk song, barely reaching the 3-minute mark, but it successfully sets the tone for the rest of the album.
2. "Bad, Bad, News"
If I had to sum up "Bad, Bad, News" in one word, I'd say "funky"... wait, no, "FUNKY." Love the bass line on this one, and the gorgeous guitar work is reminiscent of the great George Benson.
A highlight of this track is the call-and-response verses:
"Why you tryna hold me back (I ain't)"
3. "Shy"
"Shy" has a groovy, repetitive mid-tempo beat. The lyrics aren't that memorable, though, and they kind of melt together. Overall, "Shy" is a good track, but not a stand-out like the first two.
4. "Beyond"
"Beyond" is a fitting title for this dreamy tune. The layered vocals, paired with the acoustic guitar and bass-heavy beats, really enhance the tenderhearted lyrics.
"I'm scared to death that she might be it
That the love is real, that the shoe might fit
She might just be my everything and beyond"
5. "Forgive You"
"Forgive You" immediately reminded me of Usher, which can never be a bad thing.
I don't love the drum machine, but other than that, the production is really great. This song really didn't "click" with me until the chorus, where the synthy backing music really works with Leon's vocals.
6. "Lions"
"Lions" is the first misstep on "Good Thing." I appreciate the experimentation, but the minimalist approach just does not work for me here. The rhythm is choppy and the clap-machine feels awkward.
7. "If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)"
"If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)" has a solid beat, and the vocals are good, but it's missing some of the soul of the album's opening track.
It feels commercial, but the guitar and vocals work enough to make it a solid track.
8. "You Don't Know"
"You Don't Know" has a similar vibe to the previous track, except this one works more for me. I really like its disco style: synth and falsetto-heavy, but the MVP might be the bass guitarist.
9. "Mrs."
"Mrs." is a sentimental, even saccharine slow jam, but it's a nice change of pace on the album.
10. "Georgia to Texas"
The album's conclusion "Georgia to Texas" is an effective, jazzy ode to his mother. The countermelodies incorporated are a bit crowded and muddled, but Leon's textured voice more than makes up for it.
Overall, I'd give Leon Bridges' "Good Thing" 3.5/5 stars.
